Shape Shift HD by Backflip Studios is another entry into the popular puzzle game genre, and it holds its own quite well. Colorful graphics, a pleasing soundtrack and addictive gameplay make this free app a worthy addition to your iPad.
The gameplay in Shape Shift HD is very similar to that of Bejeweled 2, in that chains of colored blocks must be made to remove them from the board. Longer chains will score more points, and multiple chains formed simultaneously will earn bonus points. Bomb pieces will randomly be added to the board as you play, and must be removed by placing enough blocks of the same color adjacent to the bomb. Earn enough points to clear the level, and the action starts over again.
One minor difference that sets this game apart from similar titles, is that blocks can be swapped from anywhere on the board, as opposed to only those directly adjacent. This subtle twist allows you to potentially set up longer chain combos in the quest to clear the stage, and allows for slightly more strategy to be employed than similar puzzle games.
The classic mode offers tension as you try to diffuse bombs across the board, but I found myself enjoying Zen mode just as often. It offers the same gameplay minus the bombs, and it’s easy to feel the stresses of the day fading away as I play this very relaxing mode.
With crystal clear graphics and good sound design and animations, there is very little to detract from a great puzzle game experience. If I were to add anything, it might be an extra game mode or a bit more variety in the classic mode. These negative issues are small, especially for a free app, with the ability to remove advertisements for 99 cents. Overall, I’m quite happy to have Shape Shift HD in my collection.
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