I can never get enough of puzzle games based on simple logic, which can get so challenging as to have me, well, puzzled. Chrome-8 from Far East Asia Development Co. Ltd. is one such game on the iPhone. This app looks deceptively simple, but the game play, especially in the Master mode is one tough nut to crack.
There are two types of game play according to the game modes – Apprentice and Master. In the first mode, we have to place colored dots in circles of an identical color. Only the gray circle will be left empty at the end. Moving the dots is very simple – dragging, swiping or tapping – and we can move them to any circle which is connected and empty. The only dots which cannot be moved are those marked ‘!’. They, of course, make it more difficult to solve the puzzles as they act as blockades. I found that the later levels in the Apprentice mode are tough, but in the initial levels it doesn’t take too much time to figure them out.
In the Master mode, the basic premise of the game play is that all connected dots should be of different colors. As in the first mode, we cannot move the dots marked ‘!’. This mode obviously being harder, we get help if we are stuck and can’t find a way out. We can make an SOS call by double tapping on the screen to have a peek at the hints. I like that the minimum number of moves required to solve the puzzles are given, as that serves as a bench mark for us.
Chrome has OpenFeint integration, so that opens up a whole lot of achievements to challenge us. It is obvious that the developers have put in a lot of effort in making this app, for each puzzle has a unique design and that guarantees lack of monotony. Another cool feature about it is that it is available in English, French, Chinese and Japanese. Chrome-8 is definitely worth shelling out $0.99. It is simple, interesting and as challenging as any puzzle game can get.
- App Name: Chrome-8
- Price: $0.99
- App Category: Games
- Developer: Far East Asia Development Co. Ltd.
