Wordulous: Addicting scrabble like wordometry.

Version Reviewed: 1.0
Developer: 99games
Price as of Review: $0.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4.5/5

Check out 99games other hit apps, WordsWorth and Chess Pro.  Search our site for their reviews too!

Ok, I made up the word “wordometry,” it’s my way of saying word play…but more fun.  Anyways, I’m here now to introduce Wordulous for the iPhone.  Wordulous revolutionizes word games for the iPhone with it’s awesome online mode that can connect to Facebook and even upload high scores.  The goal of Wordulous is to score as many points as possible be creating words from the set of six (or seven if changed options) letters.  Getting a full anagram will give you access to a bonus level which is a trivia question with a scrambed answer, simply re-arrange the letters to form the proper answer, and some extra points come your way.

If you’re a word game puzzle fan you will quickly find yourself addicted to Wordulous.  Anagram and scrabble fans will be highly entertained and if you’ve got friends who play to, the multiplayer mode will enhance the experience.  Luckily the single player mode is quite a challenge too, you’re timed for three minutes, though you will get time bonuses and defects for misspelling or finding a word.  The one problem I still find with word games who look for all the word possibilities from a standard dictionary, is that they’re a lot of words that aren’t commonly used much and a lot of people won’t even recognize them (let alone know the definition).  Luckily for us perfectionists who don’t like that little annoyance, Wordulous allows us to change the dictionary it pulls from.  And for those who don’t well I guess you’ll have to live with a low score (Ok, there’s actually two more options, become an english professor, or…grab a few hints).

The user interface is smooth with easy access to all aspects of the application.  The graphics in Wordulous are satisfactory but some people that I’ve showcased the app to do not like the theme.  Hopefully Wordulous will include an update with more themes.  Even with multiplayer mode, Wordulous is a very stable iPhone application and managed to stay low in file size.  Connections to facebook are quick and painless. For those looking for a refreshing new word game to pick up and play on your iPhone, check out Wordulous.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.4/10 – Multiple game modes, including multiplayer

Enjoyment: 8.6/10 – I am a word play fan and Wordulous kept me entertained

Graphics: 7/10 – The current theme is ok, some will not like.  They’re a few colour customization options.

Sound: 7.5/10 – Nothing annoying, iPod music works without affecting stability

Technology: 9/10 – Connections to Facebook and Phonebook, online leaderboard, perfectly stable.  It’s a win-win.

Replay Value: 7.9/10 – Most will find it quite addicting but there’s nothing much to keep you coming back.

Overall Rating: 8.1/10

Further Improvements:

• More themes
• A gameplay mode for the average user

More screenshots here

Other Reviews on Wordulous for iPhone and iPod Touch:

• Wordulous Review on The APPera
• Wordulous Review on The App Podcast
• Wordulous Review on Pocket Gamer
• Wordulous Review on Pixelated Geek
• Wordulous Review on The Portable Gamer

Why does iPhone App Reviewer link to other reviewing sites?  Because if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our review, then we encourage you to go elsewhere.  The point of iPhone App Reviewer is to give you an honest, open opinion of the application.

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• Dreams & Lotto
• Wordology
• Tipper
• Shiroku
• Rebus – We had planned on reviewing Rebus but it’s no longer available in the App Store!

Dreams & Lotto [iTunes Link] – [Screenshots]

Current Price: $1.99`
Category: Entertainment
Developer: Intermundia
Current iTunes Review: N/A
Version Reviewed: 1.1

Dreams And Lotto is an interesting application that’s premise is to choose lottery numbers for you based on description words from your dreams.  Now I’m not into all the horoscope stuff in the daily newspaper and I can’t say that I can make an exception here.  Although I’m not a fan of the concept the developer executed it quite well, the only part I disliked was the lack of words, though they based the words to numbers conversion based on a book called “La Smorfia,” (see screenshots) so it’s all…good?

The application let’s you choose from a large list of words and short phrases (with a search feature of course!) and then adds the corresponding number to your list of numbers.  A cool feature to the application is the ability to email you the numbers!  And if you forget, Dreams & Lotto saves the numbers for the next time you open it (with an edit/reset feature).  So if you’re into this thing Dreams and Lotto has a good interface and historic background, $1.99 is a little steep for an entertainment app you probably won’t use much though.

Final Rating: 6.5/10

Wordology [iTunes Link] – [Screenshots]

Current Price: $2.99
Category: Games
Developer: Cerebral Gardens
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5
Version Reviewed: 1.0

Wordology is a highly polished word game similar to WordsWorth and Wurdle.  With addicting gameplay, and a beautiful user interface Wordology is a win-win situation with a perfect price of three dollars.  The game involves tapping tiles in order to form a word, you get points depending on how long or complex the word is.  To pass through the levels (which are in ascending difficulty) you must get an increasing amount of points until the point where you run out of lives (which occurs when you incorrectly spell a word).

Wordology is packed with features including a full settings menu, four gameplay mode, awards, statistics, even local and online high scores!  It’s really the best word game I’ve played on the iPhone.

Final Rating: 9/10

Tipper [iTunes Link] – [Screenshots]

Current Price: $0.99
Category: Utilities
Developer: Abel Duarte
Current iTunes Rating: 3/5
Version Reviewed:  2.0

Yes, another tipping/bill splitter application for the iPhone; I still don’t get why people just don’t use the iPhone’s handy calculator but I guess this is easier.  Especially for a dollar if you eat out a lot with friends and family this is a fun app to show off your shiny new iPhone (Hey, 3rd gen iPhone is coming soon!).  They might even foot the bill for this valuable service(sarcasm)!  Unlike other restaurant bill calculators though this one looks like the developer actually put time into it with a icon that will stand out when flipping through your pages quickly (tip place it on the first or second page and then when you’re about to go out then press the home button to quickly go to the first page).

Tipper is a very stable application and the instant-user interface allows for you to quickly make that calculation with one to three star tip rating (though I highly wish that the star system was just an option, percentages are much better).

Final Rating: 7.5/10

Shiroku [iTunes Link] – [Screenshots]

Current Price: $0.99
Category: Games
Developer: Nanimobile
Current iTunes Rating: 3.5/5
Version Reviewed: 1.1

Shiroku is a strategic numbers game that surprised the heck out of me.  The goal is to score as many points by picking a number on a grid with strategic positions corresponding to rows and columns.  You’re facing a very smart AI opponent on 100 different levels each with a fresh new grid and positioning of numbers.  Shiroku will have you thinking on your feat to pick your strategy in a timed fashion.

If you’re a math guru, strategic fanatic or want a pick up and play game that will get your brain working, then Shiroku is without doubt, for you.  At the price of $0.99 you can’t go wrong (and there’s even a lite version)!  Will I be playing all one hundred levels to the end?  Of course.  Enjoy!

Final Rating: 9.2/10

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Bobby Carrot Forever:  A puzzling bunny styled challenge

Version Reviewed: 1.1
Developer: FDG Entertainment
Price as of Review: $4.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3/5

Bobby Carrot Forever is a birds eye view strategy puzzle game where you control a rabbit across six worlds.  Each level contains many, many, aspects and lots of features to a single map.  Although you really have to push yourself at first to get into this game, once you do it’s a rewarding aspect whether you cheat at it or not.  To really give this game an honest opinion, I’ve played it out until the end, and I must say, I enjoyed the trip.  A single map can get immensely complex so prepare to be frustrated.  For those interested in a strong storyline to a game, you have it here, as you uncover the six worlds to find the six golden carrots you’ll encounter characters and watch cutscenes telling the story of our rabbit Bobby.

Once you get into the game and its simple control scheme (props to the developer for adding two different control options) a large puzzle awaits you, filled with many tricks to learn.  You’ll go about collecting carrots and coins, the anticipation building to bonus rounds where you’ll fill your characters pockets with lawns full of coins.  The 60 levels can literally have you playing for days, your addiction might falter however at any time in the game when things just start getting repetitive.

The graphics are decent but in terms of media the sound is the real winner in this game.  The iTunes page of the app boasts “17 CD Quality Audio Tracks,” and “Tons of sound effects,” although they don’t give an adjective for how awesome they are, you’ll just need to play the game to see for yourself.  The control scheme is quite good and the app is completely stable.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.7/10 – So, so much to this game, the puzzle levels have so many features and aspects

Enjoyment: 7.8/10 – Once you get into it you’ll be well on your way for an enjoying ride.  Like a roller coaster though the ride can teeter downwards.

Graphics: 8.2/10 – Although simple and 2D they’re quite stunning and run amazingly well on your mobile device.

Sound: 9/10 – The sound of Bobby Carrot Forever really livens up this game, lots of sound effects and good background music that optionally doesn’t disturb your iPod tunes.

Technology: 7/10 – A simple tapping game which masters the hardware capability of the iPhone except for the unfortunate lack of accelerometer use (except the innovative pause screen)

Replay Value: 7.8/10 – Same rating as enjoyment for the same reason.

Overall Rating: 8.1/10

Recommended For:

• Puzzle and Strategic Fanatics
• Parents who want a family friendly game
• Fans of Pathways

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Deeper score system with local and online leaderboard

More Screenshots here

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The Stone of Destiny: You will enjoy this game to the end and over and over again.

The Stone of Destiny is a classic puzzle game in which you’re on a scavenger hunt to find a list of objects on a detailed photograph. This app was surprisingly addictive and although the storyline is very long and allows playing the game for days you’ll want to zip through it.  The objective is simple, go through a multitude of various locations, each with a different photograph with a list of “hidden” objects to find.  The game is similar to the children’s classic time killer “Where’s Waldo?“  To add some pizazz to the game, they’re a few mini games along the way between puzzles to get your cranium pulsing.

This app is extremely well developed and each photograph is detailed and challenging.  Although some little features are lacking here and there the developers executed an original concept perfectly.  To add some more enthusiasm to the game, a storyline has been added with clever comic strip like screenplays in between puzzle milestones.  The storyline is a perfect little children’s story that will entertain your children on top of the app’s gameplay.  A problem I had though, is that the game is too easy. Each level is timed but the time given is way more than enough, and you could probably solve the puzzle just by waiting for each available hint.  Difficulty levels should be added.

The graphics and user interface are great, as noted above, the photographs are very detailed and look generally perfect.  The storyline screenplays set the mood just right and each strip is excellently drawn.  The game doesn’t lag and has very few glitches.  Overall a superbly developed app.  If you’re a fan of hidden object games definitely check this one out.  Puzzle fanatics should also give it a go!

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8/10

Enjoyment: 9/10

Graphics: 8.5/10

Sound: 7/10

Technology: 7.5/10

Replay Value: 9/10

Overall Rating: 8.2/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Difficulty levels
• More mini games
• Pinch to zoom not a single toggle zoom button
• Sequel!

More screenshots here

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1. Symbol6 [iTunes Link] – Symbol6 is a very unique game which has had a bit of hype around it in the iPhone blogosphere.  You need to think fast in this multi-touch hexagon environment.  Screenshots here
   

   Symbol6 - Rating: 8.5/10

2. Bubble Shuffle [iTunes Link] – Next up is Bubble Shuffle, this is an underwater themed word game with four different game play modes.  Lots of promising fun.  Screenshots here
   

   Bubble Shuffle - Rating: 7.2/10

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Monospace: Fuel your iPhone addiction with multi-dimensional strategic fun

Monospace is a unique app never before seen in the app store. The 3D strategic experience is sure to give joy to any puzzle fan. The basic objective it to clear a 3D cube of all white mini cubes inside. To do this you must drag around a blue cube in between 3D and 2D environments. It might be a little confusing to begin with but the developers have made an awesome tutorial which will allow anybody to play. Now, saying that excluded the fact that this game can be extremely challenging with it’s four difficulty levels and 64 challenges to complete.

The developer has taken a creative idea and executed it into a sleek fun package.  Starting off fairly easy and quickly progressing to deep challenges Monospace is a perfect puzzle game for bright minds.  I’ll admit at first I had to force myself to play this app, but once I got on a roll this quickly became enjoyable and the 64 levels won’t go by fast (we could really use an undo button [grins]).  I can’t stress enough of the unique experience Monospace provides, you’re flipping around a 3D object and then zooming into 2D to solve the puzzle.  Some extra concepts like a timer, point system, etc… would be a nice touch.

Graphics could use a bit of improvement, can’t complain much some colour would be nice, maybe some background images and patterning.  Right now thing’s are looking kinda bleak and give a bad first impression.  User interface is fine, no complaints, works perfectly.  I haven’t come across any glitches, lagging, or crashing but I have heard of some mishaps going on, none that I’ve experienced.  Unfortunately, like many games, Monospace lacks many settings, in this case, any settings.  Talking about lacks, where’s the sound!?  No background music or sound effects!  iPod music is playable although it cuts it out at start.  You have to use the mini music player (double click home button).

All in all, if you’re looking for a never-before-done unique experience on your iPhone this is it.  Perfect for the puzzle and strategy lover.  I strongly recommend Monospace and $1.99 is perfectly priced.  Pick it up now

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 9/10 – Absolutely great concept, some elements could be added but it’s a perfect start

Enjoyment: 8/10 – As said above, I had to force myself into this game but once I got in, I didn’t want out.

Graphics: 6.5/10 – Needs more colour and some patterning + background images.  Add more for your eyes to enjoy!

Sound: 1/10 – iPod music is playable so it gets a point.  Other than that, no sound.  We’re excluding this from the overall rating to keep accuracy

Technology: 8/10 – Everything runs smoothly and this shows some nice capabilites of the iPhone

Replay Value: 9/10 – 64 levels and oh so challenging, this is hard to put down

Overall Rating: 8.1/10

+1 Bonus point – Yes, overall rating is the average rating but sometimes we feel the app deserves more, so we give a bonus point or two!  Final Rating: 9.1/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Background images
• Patterning
• More colours
• Sound!
• Settings
• More concepts (noted above, timers, etc…
• Keep up the good work =)

More screenshots here

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Find It!: A different style of app for your iPhone.

Find it! is a “find the differences in the pictures” app. Yes it’s a classic puzzle game but nonetheless the developer (incognitek) has done an excellent job on Find It! Find It has tons of different puzzles, I have never done the same one twice. Difficulties range, some are extremely difficult while others you’ll figure out in a few seconds. It would be nice to be able to set your own difficulty level though. At first look, Find It! is an addictive eagle eye app.

However they made the differences (photoshop, different shots) everything turned out perfect.  Everything looks like the original photo and doesn’t have huge chunks or differences.  You really have to use your eagle eye to pinpoint the differences.  The interface is fantastic, no complaints.  The scoring system is pretty good, based on how fast you find the differences.  Unfortunately the game lacks much settings, and this can be a killer for some people wanting to buy this app.  No difficulty levels, no tweaking with the gameplay, etc…  A nice addition would be to choose between hints costing points from your score or only having so many hints.  In my humble opinion, the background music is awful but on that note, sound effects for finding differences and changing photos aren’t too bad.

As for user interface, it’s perfect and the beach styled theme fits the app with flying colours.  The few options they have (just sound settings) are located in the app rather then in the iPod’s setting apps (amen developer).  Instructions are clear in describing the interface and nobody should have trouble.

All in all, if you’re a fan of this type of puzzle game, hidden object games (i.e. The Stone of Destiny) or enjoy flicking through cute and funny photos, this app is for you.  Great casual play, at an…ok price.  Would be better priced at $2.99.

Pick this app up though, you won’t be disappointed.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 7.5/10 – Not many aspects of the game but the developer executes the concept amazingly

Enjoyment: 8/10 – Once I got into this app I was surprised at the enjoyment level.  I’ve never been a huge fan of these games but this one turned the table.

Graphics: 9/10 – The photos are all top-notch quality, and the interface beautiful

Sound: 5/10 – Unfortuantely didn’t like the sound much…  We’re excluding Sound from the overall rating

Technology: 7/10 – Great demonstration of the touch screen, unfortunately  no multi-touch or accelerometer (tilt) controls

Replay Value: 8.5/10 – Surprisingly addictive and I’ve never played the same puzzle

Overall Rating: 8/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Gallery of all pictures and which you’ve completed. Watermark the ones you haven’t.
• Statistics
• Zoom-in and pan (pinch fingers)
• Fix glitch where you press multiple differences at once (narrow tap area)
• Save game when you exit the app, but change photo so you can’t cheat!
• Make and upload your own photo puzzles
• Lower Price to $2-3 dollars

My high score is 20632, post yours in the comments!

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Jigsaw Wild: The wildest jigsaw fun in the app store.

To start, this is actually a review of two apps; Jigsaw WIld and Aqua Jigsaw. This is because they have the same interface and concepts just different jigsaw puzzles. They’re 50 to 100 puzzles in each app giving lots of value in a single app. You can also make a jigsaw automatically from your photo album. If you’re a jigsaw puzzle fan then I doubt you’ll get bored of this app. That isn’t to say there isn’t room for improvement (look at our ‘Further Improvements’ section).

As for a challenge though, the maximum amount of pieces in a puzzle is 24.  The pieces are all in the correct orientation, there’s no rotating for an extra challenge.  Despite the large amount of puzzles this app is a pretty bare-bones jigsaw puzzle app; it’s missing some extra features that would make it a truly amazing app.  It’s missing some features that would save the user a lot of annoyance (just checkout our Further Improvements section at the bottom of the review).

The user interface is basic but it’s not like there’s much to put into a jigsaw puzzle app.  It’s friendly enough and easy to navigate, all we need to ask for.  Most of the pictures they have to solve are beautiful and high quality.  Wrap up, if you’re looking for a simple jigsaw puzzle app with lots of puzzles and a fair price, look no further.  If you’re not a fan of jigsaw puzzles, or want something heavy duty packed with features, stay away.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 6.5/10

Enjoyment: 6/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 8/10

Technology: 6.5/10

Replay Value: 7/10

Execution of Concept: 6/10

Overall Rating: 7/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Statistics – Quickest time it took to complete a puzzle
• Ability to split puzzle in more than 24 pieces
• Shake device to bring up menu
• Multi touch capability
• Button to bring up all puzzle pieces that are behind what you’ve constructed so far
• More shapes and sizes of pieces, all pieces currently are in simple uniform, i.e. needs more “randomness”
• Lower price to $0.99

More screenshots here

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