This month work your way up through the ranks or Grammarian Ltd, a game all about learning the rules of grammar. Put your spelling and word-finding to the test in the fast-paced Letterfall. Creat vehicles and defend against not-so-scary monsters in Labo Tank. Finally, wind down with a bedtime routine in Time to Go to Bed.
Garry Froehlich
Jellybean Tunes
Grammarian Ltd – Grammar Game
By Algorocks
In the future, grammar is the law. Players join Grammarian Ltd. as an editor to help people fix grammatical issues with their documents. The game starts with pluralization and slowly works its way through many different grammar rules. Editing is done by tapping on words, and picking the correct option from several choices, with hints available if needed, and grammar guides to refer to when stuck. Grammarian is dressed up as a life simulator, so you start with a small apartment, and limited transportation options, and you get work assignments to complete each day, all while managing your character’s energy and mood. Do well, and you can buy things for your apartment, move to nicer places, win promotions, or even take a helicopter to work. All of this puts you under pressure to learn grammar and provides motivation to keep going. The game and educational elements balance surprisingly well, and the app is worth a look for those looking to polish their grammar.
Letterfall – Word Game
By Todd Hamilton
Letterfall is a simple, but polished iPhone game of making words out of falling letters. Letter tiles fall from the top of the device and slowly fill the screen. If they reach back to the top, the game ends, but you can clear tiles by making words. In a fun twist the game also includes physics. You can tilt your device to move tiles around and knock over that tower of letters so that they settle to the bottom. Players earn points based on word length and letters used, with bonuses if they clear the screen. It’s a lot of fun, and maybe even an excuse to practice spelling.
Labo Tank: Game for Kids
By Labo Labo Co.
Labo Tank lets kids build tanks to overcome obstacles and defend their town against not so scary monsters. Like many Labo Labo games, you start by selecting a vehicle (from tanks to trucks to robots) and then assemble it like a 2D Lego set out of blocks and special pieces. Once built, it’s time to take your tank out into one of several fantastical courses where you will have to blast through obstacles, solve simple physics puzzles and defeat monsters. The monster battles may be challenging for younger kids, and it is possible for the vehicle to get stuck on obstacles requiring a restart of the level. You can also design your own vehicles out of a huge array of parts, and share them to a gallery where other people can play with them, and of course you can use their designs. Overall, Labo Tank is a fun physics game and a creative vehicle builder. The first couple of levels and vehicles are available for free, with the remainder unlocked with an in-app purchase.
Time to Go to Bed
By Stephen Desilets
In Time to Go to Bed, kids follow little Sadie as she prepares for bed. The story shows how Sadie cleans up, brushes her teeth, gets a bedtime story and more. All of it is narrated in a soothing voice accompanying some delightful illustrations and simple animations. Unfortunately, there are no words to go with the narration, and the story ends somewhat abruptly, but it is otherwise well done.
