Dots

Dots is a good example of why mobile games shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. It’s also a good example of why they often are dismissed out of hand. It’s a colour-matching puzzler in which creating loops removes all of one colour from the screen. The no-frills interface and audio are minimalism at its most sublime (though it could use some background music), and the gameplay is a solid foundation for a new playable addiction.

Unfortunately, it never extends beyond that foundation, and more damningly, it’s ruined by its monetization model. The ability to extend the timer/move count or remove specific dots using purchasable items could have been an acceptable feature, but not when the only impetus for playing is the possibility of a high score. The in-game currency is fairly generous, so it’s not even particularly aggressive, but just having it there kills any desire to simply play the game without using these items. This is especially true in the asynchronous multiplayer, in which there is no guarantee that your opponent didn’t just bribe their way to victory.