Bottom Line: Patchmania Kids has delivered on fun without being sneaky about cost, links or purpose. This is an adorable logic-based game that is simple to learn and challenging to master for kids of all ages including middle-aged adults that might have trouble setting the game down to write a review.
If you would like to download Patchmania KIDS, please use this handy button I made for you:
(iPad/iPhone) $3.99
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This app has no ads, no in-app purchases and no external links.
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Some reviews are difficult to write because an app is boring and unoriginal or unimaginative, this is not one of those reviews. The only
challenge for me writing about Patchmania KIDS will be to find synonyms for "fun". A little background on where Patchmania KIDS grew from. Patchmania is a popular indie app that is very similar, but is chock-full of the typical game links and in-app purchases. It's one of those puzzle games that parents like to relax and pass the time playing and even though their kids might like playing, there are too many ways the iTunes balance can get drained. Thankfully, someone at Little Details, LLC had the bright and beautiful idea to make this game for kids with a one-time purchase and then they went one step further and made sure there were no ads or external links. I want to hug them.
The game has a cute story that is animated and then additional animations appear as game progresses. The little bunny friends are frolicking in the woods when a mean bulldozer comes along and destroys their habitat. Farmer Lester moves in and builds a farm so the the bunnies decide their new purpose in life is to eat his crops. The home page is cleanly laid out with a large play button in the center, a gear for settings and a trophy icon for game center rankings, achievements and challenges. Clicking on settings lets users get a tutorial, save progress in the cloud, reset progress, view credits and turn sound or music off or on. Chapters are separated by number of stars earned. For instance, the first chapter has 25 "easy" levels and the chance to earn 75 stars. Chapter two is split between "easy" and "medium" with 50 levels. Each chapter must be unlocked by earning stars.
Actual gameplay is very enjoyable and humorous. Kids draw a line from the bunny to the hole while eating all of the vegetables. Game play gets harder depending on the placement of the character, number of characters introduced and obstacles users have to work around such as blocked paths by the wrong vegetable, tree stumps or stakes.In this child version, there are no lives to use up and making a poor path will usually just get some humor in the form of a little character shaking his head or a head scratch. The bunny characters are so cute you want to carry them around in your pocket. Fine, that might just be me, but I doubt it. Otto is my favorite. He's a chunky little cabbage-eater that has a little trouble squeezing through the rabbit hole. Calvin is a bit of a show-off and enjoys juggling when users are taking a while to solve a puzzle. It's okay if a puzzle might be too
hard to complete without help because during play, coins are dropped on the board that can be traded for hints. There are a total of 625 puzzles to solve, so this is a game that will have a long shelf life on devices.
The game is gorgeous, cleanly animated and illustrated. The characters have enough movements to give them all unique and likable personalities -including grouchy Farmer Lester who my son had the best time making mad. Gameplay is smooth and no bugs were found during this review.
Overall, you can't go wrong choosing this app for family fun and easing travel boredom for a good price and lots of entertainment.
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Cynthia just realized her daughter will outgrow her by the end of summer. **Smart Apps for Kids was paid a priority review fee for this post.
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