CitiBlox is a game that my son and I recently tried out on my iPhone. It’s a logic game – which I don’t happen to be very good at. My 15-year-old son, however, is great at logic games!
The screen is covered with a series of dots which are connected by straight lines. When the player takes a turn, he or she touches one of the lines. When the line is touched, it turns either red or blue—depending upon which color represents that person. The object of the game is to connect the last line (the 4th line) and to thereby form a “block.” Whichever player completes the block gets a point. Also, in the block that was just completed appears a portion of the city that is “hiding” behind the game and the black screen.
There are 3 levels of play. Level 1 is, of course, the easiest level with large blocks to connect. Level 2 is harder and has smaller blocks. Level 3 is the hardest level and has lots and lots of little blocks to connect!
After the game is over (when all of the blocks are complete and all of the dots have been connected), a message comes up on the screen. I mostly get the screen that says, “Practice, practice, practice!” because I never do a really great job at the game! When I do a little bit better, I get a message that says, “Hope you like camping!” because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to spend the night in the city!
My son played the game too, and he did much better than I did — which of course he thought was wonderful! The main problem he had was that, on the harder levels that he liked to play, it was hard for him to touch those tiny little lines to connect the dots. His hands are bigger than mine, so sometimes he ended up accidentally touching the wrong line.
I would say that I liked the game. It’s definitely not high-tech like so many games for the iPhone or iPad are now days. But it is a simple, fun logic game. It’s easy enough on Level 1 for a young child to play just for fun if he won’t be frustrated by not winning.
My son said that he liked the game too, but it did become a little monotonous after playing it over and over. He enjoyed the challenge of trying to build the city. He never did win a game (over the computer), but he seemed to have fun trying.
I think the game is worth playing — especially since it’s free! If you’re looking for something high-tech and fancy, this isn’t the game for you. If you love basic logic games and trying to beat the computer, though, then this game is actually challenging, so you might just enjoy it!
My son and I haven’t managed to beat the computer yet, but we’ll keep trying! If you try it out, I’d love to hear how you like it. And you’ll have to share your tips on how to win! I never could beat that computer!
CitiBlox is available for download in the iTunes store and works with both iPhone and iPad. An ad-free version will soon be available for just 99 cents. (Note: Jennifer Adair contacted me yesterday and said the upgraded version of CitiBlox came out yesterday! There was a small glitch in it, so if you get a pop-up message that asks you if you want to upgrade to “ads free,” just click “Not Now.” She would be thrilled if you will upgrade in the future, but this particular version won’t work that way! The newest version will be released next week! Thanks!)
AdAir Mobile is also developing an educational line of apps called “MindStorm.” The first one is MindStorm Presidents, which will have 3 levels of questions with the Presidents divided up into categories – Presidents 1 -10, 11 – 20, etc. The questions will have point values, and there will be games you can play when you have enough points. Some of the questions are hard – kids (and parents) may actually have to do some research to find the answer! “MindStorm States” will follow.
Follow @AdAirApps on Twitter and “Like” AdAir Mobile on Facebook for updates, promo codes, and discounts on future apps.
Wendy lives in the South with her wonderful hubby and 3 great kiddos! She is a Christian, homeschooling, work-from-home mom. She and Scott were high school sweethearts and have been married for more than 20 years. Her oldest child has autism, and Wendy began homeschooling her at age 2. Her son, a typical boy, would rather do anything than school! Her youngest child is a little social butterfly and people lover. Wendy loves reading and quilting and will hopefully return to scrapbooking some time soon. You can visit her personal blog at Homeschooling Blessings.
Read more of Wendy’s articles at Hip Homeschool Moms.
