All Words Up Saga - 2.5 Stars

What is it?

This is a join letters together, to make words  with the goal to get a high score and pass the level. There are a variety of levels and challenges in this game for example, to score as many points in a limited number of moves or within a certain time frame.  If you like word searches then this game could be for you. 

You create words by joining them with a line, unlike conventional word searches, you can cross the line and zig zag across the letters, very like Boggle. 

As you win levels, you win more tokens. As you lose levels you lose one of your five hearts, which you have to wait to be refreshed. As with most of these games there are in app purchases, to buy your way out of difficult levels. 

The graphics are limited on the app, but they work, which is good. 

I played a few levels of this game, but need to be in a wordy mood to play it again. The app isn't bad, in fact it does what it says on the tin. I compared this app to Freeze It, which I felt was more exciting because of the competitive elements, however if you don't like competition this might be better for you. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 4

This app is very easy to use and comes with clear and short instructions, which is all that you need. I didn't spell very many long words so I am not sure if it recognises UK and USA spellings.
Price - 3

This was free, but there are in app purchases ranging from £0.69 - £2.99. I took another look at the App Store before publishing the review, and it indicates that this app may not be free for long. 

Adverts - 5

I didn't experience any adverts in this app, always appreciated.

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I will be keeping this app for now as I want to see how far I can get but I will need to be in the mood to play it. 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/all-words-up-saga/id757682832

Unravel Lite - 3 Stars

What is it?

This a logic game where you need to uncross a series of joined lines to win the level. At first this game is a little tricky to grasp but after a few levels it becomes logical, though not that easy.

There are a series of circles with lines connecting it to a further two circles. You move the circles around the screens to release the lines.  This game makes you think, but at the same time some of my wins were more by fluke than design.

The app is quite basic in design, but to be honest, it is all the app needs, and it is refreshing not to have bright colours splashed across the screen. 

This is the lite version of the games, but you can upgrade to the full version. The lite version is limited to 21 levels which is a good taster to see if you want to upgrade. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3 

This is a really easy game to use, but to master really makes you think, and I am not there yet. It can be a little tricky to reset the game when you make a mess of it. The instructions are limited so you need to do trial and error to win.
Price - 4

This is a review of the lite version, so it was free with an option to upgrade to the full version. 

Adverts - 5

There were no adverts in this app, which is great for a lite version of an app. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I will be keeping this app until I have mastered the 21 levels. If you like logic games then this is worth a try. If you are not keen on logic games especially those that are deigned for a more adult audience then this may not be for you. 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unravel/id739470217

Shape Shuffle A Shape Saga - 4 Stars

What is it?

This an educational puzzle game that gets you to replicate displayed pictures from a selection of shapes.  

Basically you drag the shapes you want onto the drawing board at which point you can rotate them into the required position and then add more shapes. Each time you place a shape a mini version appears on the right hand side, here you can drag the pictures into the order they should be laid/stacked. 

It took me a couple of attempts to understand that you have a limit to the number of shapes that you can add to the board, which forces you to think a bit harder to solve it.  

I discovered most of the functionality such as the removing, rotating and placing of the shapes in layers by trial and error so if you are using this with kids it might be worth having a go first and showing them how to use it. 

There three levels of difficulty: Easy, Medium and Hard. Each level does get more difficult but if you do them in order it feels like you are being coached through the answers.  The app uses bright colours and is designed really well to appeal to children and adults. 

At no point in using the app was I promoted to upgrade or buy additional levels, but they are available when you click on the shopping cart.  There is a  range of different bundles and episodes to buy at varied prices. 

I wasn't expecting to like this app, but I really did.  The puzzles vary really well and some get the old grey matter going!

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3

This is easy to use for me as an adult who doesn't mind fiddling with the settings but it does lack some instructions for the younger or less brave users. 
Price - 4

This is initially a free app and comes with a great range of free puzzles. There are in app purchases but these are not constantly promoted which I liked.  

Adverts - 5

No annoying adverts! Excellent!

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I liked this game and I will be keeping it until I complete it. I will also be sharing this with my friends son who is 5 to see how he gets on!

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shape-shuffle-a-shape-saga/id688006714

Birdy Pop - 2 Stars

What is it?

This is a game that involves you "popping" birds which then fire off balls that are used to kill other birds.  There are multiple stages each with several levels. Like Angry Birds you have to complete a level before you can move on to the next. 

Within each level there is a number of bird pops that you have to kill all of the remaining birds and clear the stage. I will be honest and admit I didn't have the patience to sit there and figure out the logic for each one out, instead I went for trial and error. 

The levels do get more difficult as you progress through the game and there are additional birds added that require different number of hits to kill. You also gain gold from each of the levels that you complete  which can be used for power ups. There is even a power up that removes the adverts for 10 goes. If you run out of gold you can purchase more through in app purchases. 

The game is colourful and the graphics are ok. There has been some thought put into the game, but I will admit it hasn't instantly hooked me. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 4 

This is easy to use and if you can be bothered to sit there and work out the logic of the birds I am sure it will be even easier. 
Price - 3

The initial price of the app is free. There are in app purchases available to buy extra gold and upgrade to remove the adverts. 

Adverts - 2

There are adverts in this game and they can get a little annoying as they appear in between levels and when you start the app. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Delete

I am not going to keep this app as there is no excitement in it for me. I quickly got bored but  I can see the appeal for people that like these type of logic games, but beware this is no Angry Birds.

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/birdy-pop-poppers-strategy/id732341190?mt=8 

New Safe Box - 4 Stars

What is it?

On the app store this is described as File Security APP, I must admit the lack of description made me want to explore it. The premise of the app is to store images in a safe that require a pin to view them, quite clever.

Upon opening the app you are prompted to enter a password of four numbers like the old briefcase rolling pin. When you enter the app you are taken to Filing Cabinet with the only instruction on the screen being a "+". When you select this you are given the option of camera or photo. 

When you select the photo option you are taken to your camera roll where you can select one picture at a time to add the filing cabinet.  I selected a few photos and then exited the app and then deleted the pictures from the camera roll. When I went back to the app, I was asked to enter my password, and the pictures were still there!

When you use the camera option the photo is taken and when you chose "use" it saves it to the filing cabinet, but not your camera roll so it remains safe.

When you select a photo from the Filing Cabinet the pull up menu is displayed and you can save the image, assign to a contact, delete, move to photos album, message, mail, Twitter, Facebook or AirDrop.  When you select delete you are asked to confirm before it deletes it.

My only improvements to this app would be multiple select function for the camera roll to the filing cabinet as currently you do this one at a time, which takes three clicks. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 5

This was really easy to use even without instructions, the most difficult part is remembering  your password. The password can not be changed, the only way to do it is to delete and reinstall the app from the App Store, which deletes all of the photos in the Filing Cabinet.
Price - 5

This is free with no in app purchases, it does what is advertised, so no complaints!

Adverts - 4

There is a banner add at the top of the screen but it isn't invasive and doesn't compromise the functionality. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I will be keeping this app for the time being to take pictures of some cheeky Christmas presents and keep them hidden from searching eyes! 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id760299467

Virtual Snow - 2 Stars

What is it?

This is an app that allows you to add snow fall to your camera image. I reviewed the free version so could not actually take any pictures. 

When you open the app you are presented with a screen full of instructions, the main one being that if you double tap the screen it adjusts the amount of snow fall. The instructions have been written in white bubble writing on a pale background so may be a little difficult for some people to read.  The instructions automatically disappear after a few seconds and the only way I could find to get them back was to close down and restart the app. 

When the app goes to the camera function snow is already falling and it looks good. When you double tap the screen the snow fall does increase, but the speed difference isn't that apparent. There are three types of snow fall: Light Fluffy; Snow Storm; and Blizzard. 

There is a menu option that can be accessed, but for some reason the text is horizontal when the phone is vertical and vice versa. The fonts used for the menu are difficult to read and the writing on the button images are too small.  After some playing with the app I figured out there is a snow flakes options of which there are three to choose from, upgrade option and more apps. 

The different snow flake options are basic, shaded and cartoon. My favourite is cartoon as its as basic and shaded are very similar dots. 

As I mentioned earlier the free version only allows you to view the snow fall through the camera options. You can take screen shots but they can be blurred and contain the advertising banner that is always present at the bottom of the screen.  You can upgrade the app to remove the adverts and take pictures to your camera roll for £0.69.

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3 

In the free version there isn't much to use as you can't take pictures. The fonts used for instructions and menus are difficult to read and seem to work against the direction of the phone.  
Price - 3

This is a free app, but has very limited functionality and the fact that you can't use the camera is a little disappointing.  The upgrade cost is low at £0.69 but it didn't make me want to buy it, but I can see the appeal for Christmas fanatics!

Adverts - 2

There are adverts in the app including pop ups and a constant banner at the bottom of the screen, all to encourage you to upgrade. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Jury is out

This app has a nice concept and it is fun. The instructions and lack of camera functionality lessen the app for me but you can take screen shots and with the iOS7 you can crop the pictures, you just have to ask yourself if it is too much like hard work?

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/pocket-snow-storm!-virtual/id485367333?mt=8

Android:  Not available.