Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

What is it?

Brain Challenge Volume 2 is a quiz-type puzzle game that uses permutations of a small variety of simple conceptual questions in order to measure your thinking abilities.

Brain games represent an interesting development we’ve seen in gaming lately. They’re best described as puzzle games, but they’re a little bit more specialized. The interaction is made more complex in order to stimulate the mind more. We’ve seen examples of runaway success in this genre, such as Nintendo’s Brain Age and Brain Training games, and countless imitators, even several from Gameloft, who developed this game. This one’s an example of a success in this area.

How does it play?

The game centers around a daily test, which rates your accuracy in a few different ways and then gives you a percentage score, which would ideally increase over time. Questions are varied, for example in the screenshot above you see an overview of a parking garage. A number of cars drive in one side, and a number come out the other, and then you tell the game how many are still in there. I found this game the most enjoyable, particularly later on in the game, as cars pour in and out of the garage and you’re constantly adjusting the number up and down in your head before it finally stops and you provide a count.

Many of the questions are multiple-choice, so it’s a matter of clicking over to the right answer and confirming it. Other games are more complex, but generally they’re easy to understand, which is critical in this genre.

How does it look and sound?

The visuals are very effective in this game. There’s not much to look at in-game, so you’re not distracted, and in most cases the graphics are clear and easy to understand. I found a couple of instances where I needed to punch in a number that was bouncing in a bubble on the screen but due to the color and size I couldn’t read it, but overall the art style works very well.

The audio on the game is unremarkable, but it’s a critical element. When time runs low you’re given an audio cue which indicates as much, which raises the stress level. With the sound off I was surprised when I ran out of time, so I was able to focus better while solving problems, so that’s something to consider.

How is the replay value?

Outside of the daily play mode, there’s a stress management mode which offers different problems to solve and rates your stress level based on your performance. One of the more surprising games there has you rotating a maze to drop a ball into a hole. The maze rotates smoothly, but in 90¬∫ increments before the ball reacts, and barriers in the maze will stop the ball so you can lead it to its destination. Because of the adaptive nature of the game, and the fact that it gradually increases its difficulty level based on your performance, the average user is going to get a lot of time out of the game. The question becomes if there’s enough depth there to keep you hooked. I think if you’re the kind of person who plays this kind of game, you’ll find the game enjoyable for a long time, but like all brain games or puzzle games, it’s not for everyone.

Is it worth it?

Yes, I think so. As I mentioned, you’re going to know whether this is your kind of game or not, and if it is, go for it. It’s a success as brain games go, which is not something Smarter than Average Joe can claim.

I give Brain Challenge Volume 2 for mobile phones a three point five out of five.
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Check out Brain Challenge Vol 2 and Gameloft’s other mobile games at the official site.