Can You Stack & Crack Your Way Through These Challenging Puzzles?
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Stack & Crack ($0.99) by Jambav is a minimalistic puzzle game that looks simple at first but is intricate and complex. If you liked games such as Minimize, Cuzzle, and PUSH, then you'll enjoy Stack & Crack.
Life's been getting a bit hectic for me, so I'm always looking to sit down and take a breather. When these times come, I usually end up pulling out my iPhone and playing a game to take my mind off things. My standard fare are puzzle games, of course, as they always prove to be rather relaxing yet stimulating at the same time. And even though I think I've gone through the majority of puzzle games that the App Store has to offer since I've been here at AppAdvice, I can't help but look for more. Stack & Crack is a new release this week that fits the bill of soothing yet challenging.
minimize
BorderLeap, LLC
Cuzzle
GalacticThumb Inc.
"PUSH"
Maciej Targoni
In terms of visual design, Stack & Crack is beautiful. It features a simple and clean minimalist aesthetic that eliminates all extra fuss and is just enough for players to understand the core game mechanics. The game is rendered in 3D with a slightly angled, top-down perspective that's reminiscent of games like Monument Valley.
The colors are a nice mix of dark and muted tones with brighter, more vibrant hues and they contrast with each other nicely. The soft glows and particle effects are calming, and animations are smooth and fluid. There are some "glitchy" line effects that remind me of Telepaint, which I thought was cool. So far, I've had no issues with lag or choppy frame rates on my iPhone 8 Plus. On top of it all, the ambient and atmospheric soundtrack is a delight to listen to, as it helps you focus on the puzzles in front of you.
Like other puzzle games, Stack & Crack is based on levels. There are seven main chapters, which you can access after completing the "Learning to Stack" tutorial chapter. Each chapter has anywhere from 10 to 15 puzzles each, and they must be completed in linear order. However, you don't need to worry about time limits or move restrictions, because there aren't any, so there are no stars to earn. So you can play this game entirely at your own pace, which is nice.
The goal in Stack & Crack is to get the "Boxies" to the Portal of Light, but they can only move in the direction that is indicated on the white strip that's on them. This means each Boxie can only move horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. So how is getting them all into the Portal possible? It's all about exploring the relationship between each Boxie, and then stacking them together to get to the final destination.
Eventually, as you get through the chapters, you'll find new game mechanics that make the puzzles more elaborate, such as squares that flip the stack order, make them jump, swap them, and more. The chapter names give you an idea of what to expect, because the new elements are stated in their names.
Controls in Stack & Crack are simple enough for anyone to pick up and play. To move a Boxie, just tap it and you'll see where it can move to, thanks to colored outlines that match the Boxie's color. Then tap the space you want it to go. In order to stack Boxies, you'll want to move another Boxie on top of another, making sure that the Boxie on the bottom is able to get to the Portal of Light. Boxies cannot be unstacked (unless there's a certain game mechanic), but there is an "Undo" button in the bottom right. You can undo as many times as you want, so make sure to use it.
If you get stuck, Stack & Crack does have a hint system. Just tap on the small icon in the top right corner, and the solution to your puzzle gets revealed. However, the game only gives you two free hints with the initial purchase, and if you run out, you'll have to buy the $1.99 in-app purchase for unlimited hints. As someone who doesn't like IAPs in paid games, this irks me a bit, but it's completely optional.
A minimalistic puzzle game about stacking four blocks.
The Good
Stack & Crack is a gorgeous and relaxing puzzle game that truly makes you think. I love the visual style because it's simple yet effective, and the music is soothing. The game concept is tried-and-true, but the intricate Boxie relationships is a nice twist, as well as the unique elements that get introduced at a gradual pace. There's plenty of content for the value, and the game runs smoothly.
The Bad
I love Stack & Crack so far. But again, I'm not a big fan of paid games that include in-app purchases, as I think you should get access to everything without having to worry about throwing away more money. I know that the hints are optional, but it's the principle.
The verdict
Overall, Stack & Crack is an enjoyable treat for any puzzle fan. The game has a distinctive and appealing graphical style, the music and sounds are charming and delightful, and the gameplay is simple yet complex at the same time. The controls work out well with no fuss, and the difficulty ramps up gradually so you don't feel overwhelmed too soon. This is definitely a game that any puzzle fan should have in their collection.
Stack & Crack is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $0.99. There are in-app purchases.
8.9
OVERALL
Sound/Music 10
Game Controls 9
Gameplay 9
Replayability 8
Graphics 8.5
Stack & Crack
Jambav, Inc
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Get Thumpin' in Thumper: Pocket Edition
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Thumper: Pocket Edition ($4.99) by Drool is a mix of rhythm and action in a single game. It's an interesting mashup of genres, and makes for a truly unique experience. If you enjoyed recent games like Cytus II but want some rhythm violence mixed in, then Thumper is the game for you.
Even though I'm not the best at them, I like rhythm games because they usually have good tunes, and they're just fun to play. I remember stumbling on Thumper while browsing the Nintendo Switch eShop a few months ago, but I never bit the bullet on it. I was intrigued by the game, but not sure it would have been something I liked, especially with the eShop price. But when I saw Thumper was hitting iOS with a more reasonable price point, I knew it was my chance to check it out. Needless to say, I'm glad I finally gave it a try.
Cytus II
Rayark International Limited
Thumper's visuals are stunningly beautiful. The game has some psychedelic graphics that feel incredibly futuristic, and everything is rendered in gorgeous 3D. Thumper's dark background is excellently contrasted by the bright and vivid neon lights of the track and sparks, and the space beetle is super shiny and glassy. Explosions are high-octane and fun to watch while being highly satisfying. Thumper runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, even on my iPhone 8 Plus, so there's zero lag.
The ambient soundtrack is an entirely original work by Brian Gibson, and it's delightful to hear as you play. I thought the music would be a bit more metal because of the "rhythm violence" description of the game, so it's a bit surprising and caught me off guard.
In Thumper, players will find nine epic levels awaiting them. While this doesn't sound like a lot, each level's broken up into multiple stages. These also serve as checkpoints once you clear that part, so you restart from the last checkpoint rather than the beginning of the level. The levels consist of about 15 sections, and you get graded on each one based on your performance. There's also boss battles to face off against, which test everything you've learned so far.
Since I didn't play Thumper on other platforms, I'm not familiar with how the game works with physical controls, but I think the touch controls work okay for the most part. When you see a square node coming up on the track, tap the screen right as your space beetle is over it for it to count. When facing off against boss battles, you'll want to get the timing right so you can throw those projectiles back at the boss to damage it.
There are also curved walls that require you to turn on the track. When you come up to these, just swipe left or right to turn. Longer walls need you to swipe-and-hold to make it. Some light beams also appear, and you must tap-and-hold the screen to have your space beetle dash and break through them. There's also a jumping mechanic, which I assume has you swiping upwards, but I haven't reached it yet. The game introduces new game mechanics as you go.
Again, while I haven't played Thumper on other platforms, I do hear that the controls are great. But the touch controls, while they work for the beginning, get more iffy as you go. This is because the game seems to not be as responsive after certain actions, such as turning, so it may have a delay when trying to register a tap or long press right after. I also experienced unresponsiveness after breaking through the barriers and then having to turn right after, resulting in untimely deaths. For a game that's all about timing and precision, the controls need to be better optimized.
For those who manage to beat Thumper, the Play+ mode gets unlocked. This is basically "New Game+" and features increased challenge and speed. Because you know, the regular mode isn't hard enough.
Thumper is incredibly challenging, but you'll find yourself getting better over time. You're bound to die a lot (you can only make one mistake before you end up dead on the next error), but you'll keep coming back to do better. And once you overcome that hurdle, it's immensely gratifying.
A high speed journey through psychedelic landscapes with rhythmic overtones.
The Good
Thumper is definitely an interesting game, and one that shouldn't be overlooked. It's a rhythm violence game so it requires precise timing and reflexes to survive, and it's super challenging. Plus, the graphics are great and the music is pretty good, though a bit mismatched. While it may not seem like a lot of levels, the length of each one, as well as the difficulty, mean a lot of time is required.
The Bad
The mobile port of Thumper is great, but the controls do need some work. Since fast reflexes and timing are a must here, the responsiveness of the controls must be improved. Hopefully this can be fixed sooner rather than later.
The verdict
Despite the flawed control scheme on the mobile port, Thumper: Pocket Edition is a good way to introduce the game to those who haven't tried it before. The psychedelic visuals are rather mesmerizing, the music is soothing, and the challenge is there. It may not be the best game for those who get frustrated easily, but the sense of overcoming a level you've been stuck on is pleasing.
7.9
OVERALL
Replayability 8.5
Graphics 8.5
Gameplay 8
Game Controls 7
Sound/Music 7.5
Thumper: Pocket Edition
Drool LLC
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Help Jason Get His Revenge in Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle (Free) by Blue Wizard Digital is a horror puzzle game that stars Jason Voorhees. If you liked Slayaway Camp, or are fans of horror in general or "Friday the 13th," then this is a must-have title to add to your collection.
While I'm not a big scary movie fan, I do appreciate the classic cheesy horror movies from the '80s and such. I think these resonate well with me due to the campiness of them, and they're fun to watch with others. "Friday the 13th" is one of those films, and we all know about Jason Voorhees, the main antagonist who haunts Camp Crystal Lake in his efforts to avenge his mother's death. I loved Slayaway Camp when it was released, so when I heard that there was going to be a Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle coming out, I knew I had to have it. Needless to say, its surprise release was well worth the wait.
Slayaway Camp
Blue Wizard Digital LP
Visually, Friday the 13th is in the same ballpark as Slayaway Camp. The game is rendered in 3D with blocky, voxel-style graphics like those you'd find in Minecraft. The various settings and environments are still packed with plenty of detail, and the gloomy, muted colors emit the sense of horror and suspense that you'd expect from such a game. Jason's character sprite is realistic and doesn't skimp out on the finer details, and there's even multiple versions to unlock in the game. Animations are smooth and fluid, with no lag on my iPhone 8 Plus. Even the cutscenes are fun to watch, especially the facial expressions and kill scenes. The music is rather eerie and fitting, and the sound effects are on-par with your typical cheesy horror flick.
If cartoon violence and blood bother you, there is an option to have the game PG, so it's all toned down. Even if you end up turning down the gore, this is still an excellent puzzle game in general, so it's worth sticking around for.
Similar to Slayaway Camp, Friday the 13th is split up into episodes. A new area is unlocked in each episode, and there are about 13 puzzles for each. While you'll be starting out in Crystal Lake, Jason manages to find victims in high security prisons to Manhattan highrises.
At the moment, there are eight episodes that can be unlocked by getting enough kills (shown on episode selection). There are four more episodes that must be unlocked via in-app purchase. You could also unlock the other episodes early by paying as well, if you're impatient.
The goal in each puzzle is to, you guessed it, kill all of the unsuspecting victims. The controls are simple and intuitive enough for anyone. Just swipe your finger in one direction to make Jason move that way. He moves until he hits a wall, object, or gets to his victim, so it's like a sliding block puzzle mechanic.
Eventually you'll have levels with paths that lead to water, sinkholes, bonfires, and more. You'll want to avoid these, since Jason isn't good at swimming and fire is bad (but good for the victims). When this happens, some thinking and tinkering is needed to get where you need to be. And cops can be attacked from the sides or behind, but never from the front, because they'll catch you that way. If you make a mistake, there's a rewind button that you can use to undo your last move as much as needed.
As you successfully complete puzzles, your "Bloodlust" gauge goes up. Once it's full, you'll rank up and earn a loot box. You'll find various weapons in the box, which you can equip on Jason for stylish kill scenes when he gets his victims. You can also trade in unwanted weapons for better ones if you so choose.
When your bloodlust meter is about ready to be topped off and ranked up, the game prompts you to watch an ad to fill it up. It's completely optional and just speeds up the process. The game doesn't throw ads in your face after each puzzle, at least, so I don't mind watching the occasional ad.
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is a horror puzzle game where you take on the role of Jason Voorhees.
The Good
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is an excellent freebie. The game is a re-skinned Slayaway Camp to just feature Jason Voorhees of the "Friday the 13th" series, but it has fun puzzles to solve. The voxel graphics are campy and the gory kills are fun to watch. The game has its fair share of cheesy horror music and sound effects too, which I love. There's plenty of content with the initial free download, and plenty of weapons to unlock.
The Bad
With Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle being such a good free game, it's hard to find many flaws with it. I mean, there are ads, but they're optional and only when you want to just get the last bit of bloodlust to rank up for more (cosmetic) weapons, as they don't affect gameplay. Perhaps the fact that there are four episodes that can only be accessed after an in-app purchase, but there's still a lot of puzzles included for free. And honestly, once I complete the free stages, I'd probably buy the rest anyway because the game is just that good, like Slayaway Camp.
The verdict
As a fan of Slayaway Camp, it's not surprising that I also love Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle. It has the same puzzle mechanics, obstacles, and graphics, except it focuses solely on Jason Voorhees seeking to avenge his mother's death. It's more for "Friday the 13th" fans, or horror lovers, but it's packed with a ton of good puzzles that everyone can enjoy. It's hard to believe how much content you can play in this one without paying a dime.
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for free. There are in-app purchases for exclusive episodes.
9.0
OVERALL
Sound/Music 10
Graphics 9.5
Gameplay 9
Replayability 8
Game Controls 8.5
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle
Blue Wizard Digital LP
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Help Polo Rescue His Kidnapped Pet in Bring You Home
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Bring You Home ($2.99) by Alike Studio is a unique puzzle game where you don't control the characters, but rather the levels themselves. If you enjoyed games like Splitter Critters and Stagehand, then you're bound to like what Bring You Home has to offer.
I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately, so naturally, I've been playing a ton of games on my consoles and iPhone to pass the time. Now, if you've followed my work here at AppAdvice for the past few years, then you'll know that I'm a sucker for puzzle games. They're relaxing yet stimulating, and that's just the kind of thing I want to keep my mind busy and sharp. The only bad thing is usually puzzle games are the same thing over and over. But Bring You Home is different, and it brings in a special puzzle experience that's sure to delight. Plus, it's from the same guys who made Love You To Bits, so I knew it was going to be good.
Splitter Critters
RAC7 Games
Stagehand
Patrick Angle
Love You To Bits
Alike Studio S.L.
Visually, Bring You Home is beautiful and charming. Everything is rendered in 2D with a cartoonish art style that makes me think of Cartoon Network shows. But thanks to the lighting and shadows, there's a nice bit of depth to the backdrops and environments in the foreground. Character models are also cute and bursting with their own personalities, giving the game life. The colors are appealing to the eyes thanks to the bold and vibrant hues that truly pop on Retina screens. Animations are smooth and fluid, and I had no issues with lag or choppy frame rates on my iPhone 8 Plus. The atmospheric piano soundtrack is whimsical, emotional, and soothing. The sound effects are a nice touch as well, as it brings some comic relief to the game.
In Bring You Home, players will learn about the story of Polo the alien and his pet, who's been kidnapped by mysterious characters. Naturally, Polo sets out to rescue his missing companion by following a series of portals that the kidnappers left behind. A new world can be found through each portal, and Polo must safely make his way to the next one until he recovers his friend.
The twist in Bring You Home is the fact that you don't control Polo — he moves forward automatically. Instead, you control the level itself. How is this done? It's pretty simple and intuitive. Each level features multiple panels that have a few different options in them. You must scroll through the panels to figure out the correct sequence of events that should occur in order for Polo to have a safe path to the next area. When you think you have it, tap on the "Play" button in the bottom right corner.
If you fail, don't worry — time just rewinds itself and you can try again. The real fun in this game is the fact that these "deaths" can be pretty funny, considering the options you're given to work with. It's all about trial-and-error here.
Bring You Home doesn't have any time limits or restrictions on the amount of times you attempt to solve a puzzle. So you can play at your own pace, which is relaxing. On top of everything, there are hidden collectible photos that you can acquire as well, which are full of sweet memories of Polo and his pet.
The makers of Love You To Bits have a new puzzle adventure for you.
The Good
Bring You Home is an excellent puzzle game for people of all ages. It's a deviation from Love You To Bits, and that's not a bad thing. The visuals are cute and endearing, while the music proves to be quite emotional if you listen to it. The gameplay is fresh and interesting, with simple controls. And for those who like to get everything in a game, the collectible photos provide motivation to go back and revisit stages.
The Bad
There's a lot to love about Bring You Home, and honestly I can't think of any negatives regarding the game. It's just a delightful puzzler that the everyone can enjoy.
The verdict
Alike Studio had a hit on their hands with Love You To Bits, and they definitely have created another gem with Bring You Home. The game's cute cartoon-style graphics are sweet and lovable, while the soundtrack tugs at your emotional heartstrings. Controls are intuitive, and it's just fun to watch the outcome of each possible path that you create. This is a true gem for puzzle fans.
9.2
OVERALL
Sound/Music 10
Game Controls 9
Graphics 9.5
Gameplay 9.5
Replayability 8
Bring You Home
Alike Studio
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Put the Pedal to the Metal and Make Your Getaway in PAKO 2
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
PAKO 2 ($1.99) by Tree Men Games is the sequel to the original PAKO that came out four years ago. If you were a fan of the first game, or like games such as Grand Theft Auto, then PAKO 2 is a must.
When I checked out PAKO when it first came out, I was intrigued. What drew me in was the low-poly art style, and what appeared to be a simple game mechanic that tests how long you can survive. It was a quick little arcade game that killed time, was insanely fun, and hard to put down once you got the hang of things. It became one of my favorite iOS games for a while, so I was incredibly excited to learn that there was a sequel. As a huge fan of the first game, I can say that PAKO 2 improves and builds upon the original title for a more immersive and engaging experience.
Pako - Car Chase Simulator
Tree Men Games OY
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rockstar Games, Inc.
Visually, PAKO 2 is a unique blend of handcrafted, highly detailed environments with low-poly vehicles and explosions. The game is rendered in 3D and has an angled, top-down perspective so you can see everything happening on screen in a single glance. PAKO 2 has five huge areas to drive in, and they're all quite different from each other (the desert, downtown, snowy mountains, and more) but pack in a ton of fine details, such as lighting, shadows, and textures. The colors are a nice mix of muted earthy tones to bright, vibrant shades, so everything is visually appealing to the eye. Animations are super smooth and fluid, so there's no lag on my iPhone 8 Plus. The electro soundtrack is a delight to the ears, and the sound effects are fairly realistic, particularly those police sirens.
Like the original, PAKO 2 has only one game mode, but the gameplay is much more involved now. Previously, you'd just have the car and just outrun the cops as long as you can. The police would get more aggressive the longer you outrun them, making it harder to last.
But in PAKO 2, you must now drive to certain destinations on the huge map and pick up your crew members in the getaway car. They'll shoot down the cops chasing you while you head to the next destination, as indicated by the arrow, to drop them off. Once you drop them off, your car is basically refueled in terms of health, and you get money for your trouble.
Controls in PAKO 2 are the same as the first game. Since the car is always in motion, you're responsible for steering. Just tap on the left side of the screen to steer left, and the right half for turning right. In order to brake, just press both halves at the same time.
If you want to evade the cops and earn some dough, then you're going to have to do some sick moves with these simple controls to outwit them. Their numbers increase and they get more aggressive as time goes on, so make sure you outmaneuver them as well as have your crew take care of them with firepower. Oh, and watch out for their police choppers too.
The more crew members you escort to safety, the more money you earn. Eventually, you will get busted, or just fall down a pit and crash or something along those lines, since each car holds only a certain amount of hit points). The longer you manage to hold out, the better. You'll earn cash depending on your overall performance.
The dough you earn can be spent to purchase new getaway cars or maps. There's a huge plethora of vehicles to choose from, whether you want a sporty muscle car or a rugged pickup truck, to a fancy limo or even the classic Bonnie & Clyde car. No matter what you're looking for, you'll find it for sale in PAKO 2.
If you don't feel like buying a new vehicle just yet, you can spend that cash on new maps as well. These start off reasonably priced, but do get more expensive as you go. I suppose it's a way to prevent players from getting all areas too soon, but still. You'll have to work for the new maps, which are all pretty vast, so there's plenty to discover.
The car chase simulator returns with more action and more expansive locations.
The Good
PAKO 2 is an excellent sequel that fleshes out the simple gameplay mechanic into something much deeper. The graphics are a big step up from the previous game as well, though it still retains some low-poly elements in the proper places. The game also makes it easy to see where your destination is, but it's getting there that's a challenge. The variety of cars and areas to purchase mean the game has high replay value, and honestly, this game is just too fun to put down.
The Bad
While I love almost everything about PAKO 2, I wish that the areas weren't so expensive to unlock. I also noticed that sometimes it's hard to tell when your car flips over or gets reversed, and then you're moving in the opposite direction of where you want to go. It's a little annoying and just hard to see when that happens, so maybe that can be improved somehow.
The verdict
Overall, PAKO 2 is an incredible followup to an already great game. PAKO 2 also has even more polished graphics that are hard to not love, great music and sound, and simple yet effective controls. The new areas are packed with detail and are huge, so there's plenty of room, and the amount of cars you can get are crazy. This is definitely one that you'll be replaying over and over until you have them all.
PAKO 2 is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $1.99. There are no in-app purchases.
9.6
OVERALL
Replayability 10
Sound/Music 10
Game Controls 9.5
Graphics 9
Gameplay 9.5
PAKO 2
Tree Men Games
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