Ruzzle - 4 stars

What is it?

Ruzzle is a timed words game that is like the classic and well known Boggle that you play with friends or random opponents. When you start the game there are 16 letters presented on a grid and you simply join them by swiping across letter combinations to make words. You must connect the letters directly with those around it so it makes it a bit more difficult. Like Scrabble there are double and triple letter scores to take advantage of. You are against the clock with two minutes to collect as many words as possible which initially seems a long time but as soon as you are stuck its goes so quickly!

When you complete a round you are presented with your score and stats. The app even tells you how many words you found out of the number availablem, and in some cases there are over 200! Lets just say I didn't get near the maximum word score! The great thing about this is that you can review all of the uncommon words to get some ideas for next rounds. Some swear words are accepted and in a frantic panic, random swipes of the screen in the last few seconds actually scored me some points with a fluky word!

The more you play the quicker you advance through the levels, which unlocks more features of the app, i.e. competing in tournaments. 

There are in app purchases including the removing of ads and adding wallpapers and profile pictures, but I haven't been tempted to get any of these yet. 

As you are playing other users of the app, there can be long gaps between rounds, and I wasn't asked if I wanted to receive notifications to remind me to play so lost a few games by not responding quickly enough.

This is a well functioning app that hasn't crashed during game play. The collection of words is very smooth and the sound effects aren't invasive. When you get a correct word you receive an encouraging ping, but when the clock is running out, countdown music is played... which never fails to make me panic!!!

Being a little bit picky, the screen flows of the app could be more logical and involve less taps. When you complete a game you tap to get your stats which is fine but then two more taps are required, including a back button to go and play new opponents.  The game can also be a little slow in finding new people to play and my phone has locked twice while waiting.

When you first start the app you are asked to register with Facebook, Twitter or create a username. You can look at the leaderboards, which show the top scores and a separate tab displays your friends' scores. The game isn't on the GameCentre but this missing feature isn't an issue with the charts option. If you want to play me, which will undoubtedly increase the number of games you win, my username is GEMMAGEM03.

Overall I like this app as it appeals to both my logical and competitive side. The two minutes a game also makes this a quick time filler and doesn't invade much of my spare time. If you like Boggle and Scrabble then I recommend this one. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 4

This game is very easy to use and includes some clear and helpful tutorial pages on your first play.  The game is a little slow in pairing you with random opponents but if you don't mind registering on Facebook or Twitter you can play your actual friends and hound them to take their turn.

Price - 4

This is a free game with in app purchases, one of which is to remove the adverts, but in all honesty I hardly noticed them!

Adverts - 3.5
There are header adverts in this game but they do not interrupt game play. I have not encountered full screen or video adverts in the game and fingers crossed they aren't added. You can pay to remove the adverts but I wouldn't bother unless they add more and become invasive.

Overall Rating - 4

I like this game and I find myself intermittently opening it to check on my open games and start a new match. I am going to research a bit further into notifications so I am not losing games by my ignorance of it being my turn and running out of time.  

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ruzzle/id504265646?mt=8 
Twitter: @MAGinteractive

1010! - 4.5 Stars

What is it?

1010 is a Tetris type game but instead of positioning falling blocks to make lines to score points, you drag and drop them into place on to the board, which is a 10x10 square hence the name. The blocks are given to you in sets of three and once all of them have been placed on the board the next set is given to you. To score points you make complete lines , horizontally or vertically, and they are removed from the board to give you space to place further shapes.  The game is lost by you not being able to place the shapes you have. 

The game is simple in it appearance with a white or black background, that can be changed in the settings. The shapes are nice colours that look good against the background. These are it's main elements, and that's all thats needed.

Unlike Tetris, the game doesn't increase in speed and pressurise you into place the blocks flying down the screen. This game gives you time to think and apply logic to make your score as high as possible. I liked this element of the game as I used to find myself holding my breathe in Tetris when it got fast or near that old 100,000 score, I am surprised I never passed out!

As a massive Tetris fan, this was right up my street and I became highly addicted to it. The addiction was made worse by my partner also having the App and me seeing his score on the GameCentre. I am currently winning that battle with a score just over 5000, but that is nowhere near the top scores, made by gamers that I am convinced have created a hack or programme that increases their score!

There are full screen ads in the game that appear every three-four plays which at first was frustrating as my initial games didn't last very long, but as I improved I noticed them less until the video ads started... yuck. 

If, like me, you like logic games and still remember and love Tetris, then I highly recommend this app to you. When I originally downloaded it, I found it through a Twitter search but noticed today that its in the top 200 games in the App Store. So well done to the developers of this game, it's well deserved. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 5 

This is a case of drag and drop onto a grid, so it is pretty simple to play, but needs concentration and perseverance to master (I hope to master this!). Sometimes you feel like the game is stitching you up to not win, but that is infrequent and the challenge only makes me want to play more.

Price - 5

This game is free in the App Store, and I didn't notice any 'in-app purchase' options. 

Adverts - 2
There are adverts in this app in the form of full screen ads and, the worst type, video ads that you are forced to watch. I hate these type of ads, but I liked this app so reluctantly tolerated them and didn't switch the game off. 

Overall Rating - 4.5

I love this game. Its simple and familiar and, even though it is a twist on Tetris, it has its own identity. This game will remain on my phone and will continued to be played. This would have got 5 stars but the video ads really let it down. Highly recommend it for logic game players. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/1010!/id911793120?mt=8

Numtris - 4 Stars

What is it?

Numtris is a game where you match numbers that fall from the top of the screen to complete challenges. The 'tris' element made me think of the classic Tetris, my first ever game! The similarity is the falling of the pieces that you need to get rid of before the game reaches the top of the screen. Instead of falling shapes, there are squares with different numbers.

The aim of the game is to connect the same numbers to remove them from the screen i.e 3,3,3 and they are deleted.  As you progress you need to connect the squares to change the number to complete chains for example 1 and 2 becomes 3. The tutorials for the introduction of new methods are well written and caused me no confusion. Currently I am on the fourth world and have numbers 1-4 to play with. 

As you play you earn credit. The more you frequently play the more your earn and this can be exchanged for lives and to continue playing if you fail the level. I continued play a few times, but to be honest it didn't help me!

Don't let the first world on this game make you think it is easy, as you progress the challenges get more difficult especially when the blocks speed up!

The appearance of this isn't graphic filled it clean, clear and colourful on a white background and I think it works, if there were loads of fancy effects I think it would detract from the game.

One thing I don't like about the game is how the lives are used. Basically every time you play you use a life, even if you win! I can understand why they have done this as it is addictive and you find yourself tempted to buy credits, but if like me you play these types of games this is unusual.   Like Candy Crush and Jelly Splash you can buy more lives or wait a set period of time for the lives to be earned. 

I liked this game, and have found myself playing it quite a bit of an evening, it even prompted me to download the Letris, which I haven't played just yet. Don't get me wrong I did get level frustration and found myself dipping into the credits I had earned throughout game play to continue! If you don't like logic games, numbers or the classic Tetris this may not be for you but it was right up my street!

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 4

The instructions for this make this game easy to function, that is not to say it is an easy game.  Sometime connecting the squares I had a couple of difficulties especially when the board is more full, but I will accept that could be user error. 
Price - 4

This is free, with in app purchases. I like that the purchases are subtle and not constantly promoted. 

Adverts - 4

There are occasional adverts in this app, but I hardly noticed them. The reason I have given this rating is because the ads shown don't trick you to the App Store and they are very infrequent. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

Keep! I like it as it is right up my street. The only draw back is the lives issue as I do not like that I lose a life when I win... bitter sweet!

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/numtris/id770145061?mt=8

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

Freeze It - 4 Stars

What is it?

Freeze It is a time challenge word game that you play against friends or random opponent with the aim to win.

When you enter the game there is a brief tutorial that runs through the categories and how to create words. The real fun and challenge comes when you start playing against other users. 

There are six initial categories: animal, colour, fruit/vegetable, country/capital, movie and brand. You are presented with each one in turn with a selection of letters, the aim to spell a  word that matches the category. Like scrabble there are double letters and word score available if you use a letter with the marking.   There are extra points available if you complete all of the categories before the timer ends and freeze your score. 

A nice touch to this game is that when you freeze your score you smash the ice by tapping it.  It is the best of three rounds to win the overall game. If you keep playing and get better times or beat certain word scores you unlock more categories and achievements. 

There are a couple of drawbacks to the game, firstly there is no space button which for some countries and films causes a greater challenge. Also, it uses American spelling, so UK users may find this a little frustrating at first.  

I liked this game its easy to use and has a competitive edge which I like! If you don't like word games or spelling this may not be for you, but if you do its worth a try. 

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 4 

This game comes with instructions that aren't too complicated or long winded. The game is really easy to play, but it could benefit from a space bar to enter some answers, but the absence of it just makes you think more!


Price - 5

The app is free to download, and doesn't charge you to play against people. There are cheats that you can buy, which I didn't test, and I haven't needed them so far. 

Adverts - 5

There are no adverts in this app which is excellent for a free app!

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

I liked this app as I do like my word games, especially with a competitive edge. There are areas for improvement such as additional categories and a space bar for those answers that have multiply words i.e. green bean, United Kingdom. I will be keeping this app and have already asked my Scrabble friends to download.  

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freeze-it/id724594510?

Tic Tactics - 2 Stars

What is it?

This is a game of naughts and crosses or tic-tac-toe that is played across nine different boards in one, with the aim to win the big board. I had to go through the tutorial several times to get how the game worked. 

I won't lie, at first I didn't get this game. The tutorial only explains part of the game and the only way to practice is to play against online player, which costs credits. You are given a series of credits when you start the game and I believe you can earn them by winning challenges  and by returning to the app each day, but you can buy additional. 

When going through the tutorial it explains that you can only place your O or X on raised areas, which was fine and made sense. Then tutorial goes on to explain that when you have placed your piece you can select one of the nine boards to make your challenger play by the position of where you lay your go, this took me a few attempts to get the hang of as the demo rushes over this. 

I think the tutorial needs more work and the app would benefit from practice levels so the user can get to grips with the game. 

I was looking forward to this game as lets face it tic-tac-toe is a classic, but I didn't take to this game. It can take up to two days for your competitor to take their go and then it loses momentum and as you can't practice I found myself not going into the app.  

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3 

I didn't find this game easy to use and the tutorial/instructions sounded logical but you need to practice to get to grips with it and are reliant on others to do this. 


Price - 3

This free to download but there are in app purchases for additional credits. I didn't test this functionality as I still have remaining credits. 

Adverts - 5

There were no adverts in this game, which is a good point. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Delete

This game is not for me. Even when I understood the instructions it didn't make me want to keep playing, which is a shame.  It looked a good game, and based on there being online users it has obviously has a fan base. 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tic-tactics/id672538299?mt=8

Dino Rocks - 3 Stars (just)

What is it?

Dino Rocks is a level game with various worlds that you move a dinosaur around a series of puzzles.  The dinosaur is placed at one end of the board and you navigate it around the screen by sliding your finger in the direction you want it to travel, eventually leading it to a cave. The first few boards don't have any holes or special functions so are pretty straight forward. 

As you progress through the levels, they get more difficult and you have to plan your dinosaurs moves in advance. There are squares added to the board with arrows that can be moved, with and without, the dinosaur on them to make a path to the cave. Figuring out what these squares did was a massive game of trial and error, until you grasp the logic of it. 

There are no instructions with this app, well not that I could find, but there are walkthroughs of the levels that use your Dino Rocks. You get three Dino Rocks when you download the game, but you can buy more. The prices for these are not displayed in the app itself which I don't like, and there is bug in the app that when you click on the purchase button half the text is missing in the confirmation and password window, so you don't know how much they are. I did check in the app store and the only price displayed its £0.69 to unlock all levels, so not great.

An interesting feature of this game is that you can create your own levels. The drawback with this, again, is there are no instructions or guidance for this function. 

This is not a game for young children as it is difficult and can be fiddly.  With that said, it does make you think and it is different to your Candy Crush and other such games. I do like this game but will need to be in a calm mood to play it. 

I struggled with deciding the rating for this app, my first instinct was 2.5 due to the lack of instructions and dodgy prices, but I do like the app and it is a bit different so I bumped it up to 3 as I don't give 2.75 stars!

Now for some ratings.....

Ease of use - 3 

This game would benefit from some instructions. I discovered the walkthrough function through pressing buttons on the screen, but it could be more user friendly. The slide function can be a little sensitive sometimes moving it too far or too little. The special squares on the screen can be a challenge to master as you have to double click to move them, again discovered through trial and error. 

Price - 2

This is £0.69 but there is a lite version available, but I haven't used this. In a paid app like this, I would expect more instructions and credits to be given before I am asked to pay again, hence the rating.  

Adverts - 5

There are no adverts in this app, but as mentioned earlier I have not reviewed the lite version. 

Keep, jury is out or delete - Keep

This game has interested me, but I have run out of walkthroughs, so can't be sure how long my patience will last with the lack of instructions. If the game had instructions or demos on the functionality this would make it a much better and user friendly app. 

Where to find it:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dino-rocks/id535779172