Shape Escape: Block Puzzle 12+

I first started this type of game with one called Block Jam. A fun game that was very similar, but was clearly revenue-focused rather than customer-focused. You only had 5 lives and were racing under a timer of less than a minute to progress to the next level or have to wait until enough time had passed to continue playing unless you paid for it. I frustratingly paid for an ad-free version and was still annoyed because I just wanted to relax and play a puzzle game. I decided there had to be SOMETHING out there similar enough to the game that was causing feelings of anxiety and went on a Google search. I came across Shape Escape and it was exactly what I needed. Self-paced, unrestricted by a timer or number of “moves..”just a great brain game. They do offer an ad-free version which to me is a little pricey, but I’d rather watch an ad and play leisurely than be highstrung over an iPhone game. Sometimes the app will glitch or not be as responsive as I expect it to, but that could be due to how often and long I’ve played it now. I do wish there was more value/reward tied into winning levels because sometimes ya gotta use a power up and those are obtainable, but I like to use what I win or opt for a quick ad watch to earn it. Overall, this is a great puzzle app that offers mini challenges and daily rewards. I deleted the other app altogether and play this one daily.

Everyone seems to agree that not having a timer is great! I really like these types of block puzzles games but I've always hated the timers. I downloaded this game a few days ago and was super happy with it. And yes, there are a lot of ads but I haven't had the issue of ads covering the gameplay that other people have mentioned. The ads are somewhat annoying but not having a timer balances it out for me. Also the piece movement was really smooth. At least in the beginning. I'm currently on level 157 and now the pieces are moving glitchy. I have to keep reloading the game but smooth moving doesn't last long. I'm still giving it five stars because not having a timer, which I really hate, but I wish they would fix the 'glitchiness' so that the pieces moved smoothly like it did when I first started playing. And, I almost never buy games but I would totally spend money for an ad free version. Especially if I could move the pieces smoothly.

It’s great not having a timer, but frankly even their “extreme” levels are easy. I want something as hard as the timed games without the timer! Love not having a timer, but frankly these are easy enough the lack of timer is moot because I don’t need the extra time. Also, the blocks come to full and COMPLETE STOP before exiting the playing field. It is very annoying and slows down play. Technically you can slide a block over those squares while this happens but visually and psychologically it makes you pause. And all the other block games I can kind of “throw” the blocks by doing a hard swipe and this one I have to deliberately guide it square by square. Even half a field square off and it won’t move. This feels like a lack of improvement stuck from 10 years ago when graphics needed more processing time. Is it nice to it have a timer? Sure. Is it a good game to play mindlessly? Kind of. The play can be mindless time-passing which is nice but the catching of the blocks gives me anxiety/annoyance. If I need to concentrate moving the blocks every centimeter I at least want the difficulty to match. But instead the game is easy and movement is difficult.