app review: Puzzlings
March 17, 2010 by Daynah · Leave a Comment
Puzzling is a match-3 game, and although they’re quite common in the iTunes App store, this little gem proves to be a very unique one. Not only are the graphics and animations fun and colorful, the game gives a twist to the match 3 games.
The game starts out in your little Puzzling’s home. There, you’ll see its camera, computer, toys, closet, and door. Each part has a different meaning. The closet is where your puzzling can change his/her outfit. There are 8 different boxes in the closet where it can change the look of its face, nose, smile, head gear, body, accessories, shirts, and pants. The colors for these items can be changed also. The camera allows your puzzling to stand in front of background so you can take its photo. Tap on the puzzling and it’ll change posing position. The computer is where all the high scores, speed bonus, completion stats, and block stats are kept. The wall of toys is just little something to decorate the room. Click on them to see a closer view. And the magical door is the one that takes you to Wardrobia. And this is where the game begins.
The object of the game is to unlock items in each level. Swap pieces by dragging them. You can also draw out a square to rotate the colored pieces instead. Make as many matches and chains (2 matches or more) as you can to fill up the top bar.
Once it’s filled, four pieces of a circle will appear on the game board. Move the pieces around to match up the circle to unlock an item. You can either put it on the Puzzling then, or put it away to wear later. Complete the level by matching two circles. If you do this quickly, a bonus item can also be unlocked.
There is a total of 5 stages in each of the 8 lands of Wardrobia:
• 3 Match stages when you need to complete 2 circles.
• 1 Challenge Stage where you need to complete 4 circles.
• 1 Puzzle Stage where you have a set number of moves to clear the entire screen. This stage is denoted by a small moving house.
There is also one more icon in each land that’s denoted by a little sign. Clicking on it displays all the items you unlocked in the particular land, as well as how many still need to be unlocked.
Overall, the graphics are simply adorable. The bright colors, shapes, and fun animation adds an adorable touch to the gameplay. The game is quick to learn and you’ll find yourself playing it again and again. So, have you dressed up your little Puzzling today? Puzzling is available in the iTunes app store for free!
Learn more about Puzzlings for iPhone and iPod touch in the App Store
App review: Big Top 10
October 7, 2009 by Beatweek · Leave a Comment
New in iProng Labs: a hands-on review of the new Big Top 10 app for iPhone and iPod touch, available for 99 cents in the App Store…
review by Daynah
Big Top 10 is an addictive, challenging, yet simple puzzle game that you’ll find yourself playing over and over again. A 5×5 board displays the numbers 0 – 9, along with some bonuses, and negative numbers too. The object of the game is to simply drag and select the numbers so they add up to 10. The longer the selections, the more points you will earn. Your selection of numbers must be continuous on the board and diagonals are not allowed.
For example, you can select “9 + 1″, “3 + 4 + 3″, and “1 + 4 + 5.”
You can also take advantage of the zeroes and negative numbers to create even longer selections. For example, “0 + 3 + (-3) + 4 + 6.”
Power-ups are also available, which include a clock that will freeze time for 5 seconds (or in verses mode, will freeze your opponent for 3 seconds), a bomb which destroys numbers around it (and you are awarded extra points), Double points, and a star that reduces the numbers on the board to allow longer selections. If you’re stuck, you can also shake the iphone/ipod touch (or click on shuffle) to get a fresh new board. And to top it all off, the twist to the game is the 59 seconds you initially start off with.
You need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to play with another opponent. You have 2 minutes to go head to head with each other in the “Verses” mode. The player with the most points win. If you make a selection with the clock, the opponent’s screen will freeze for 3 seconds. It’s highly addictive, and a lot more fun playing with another person.
To make the game more social, Big Top 10 also uses OpenFeint to bring to you the global leaderboards as well as your friends’ game statuses. You can also integrate Twitter and Facebook and play and compare scores.
Click on “Scores” to view your personal top 10 scores, records you set, and various achievement awards. The graphics and music are beautifully done and gives a nostalgic feeling of the old big top circuses. This is what really completes the gaming package.
There is also a Big Top 10 Lite version for you to test out. You have all the features of the full version except for earning more time, head-to-head verses play, and global scores integration. For just 99 cents and hours of playtime, Big Top 10 is definitely well-worth a try!
Big Top 10 is available in the App Store.
