Puzzle genre of mobile games

CEBU, Philippines - Without a doubt, the puzzle genre of mobile games has piqued the interests and captured the fancies of countless smart device owners, as evidenced by the thousands of puzzle games available on App Store and Google Play.

From hidden object challenges to complex tile- or icon-matching games, following are three of the current top mobile puzzlers - each made to truly test their players' problem solving skills, leading to countless hours of puzzle solving fun.

"Dots"

Available in versions for Android and iOS

There's an undeniably profound simplicity inherent in Playdot Inc.'s "Dots," a quality that can be discerned in the game's overall visuals and elementally simple gameplay dynamic.

Described by its proponents as "a game about connecting," the primary goal in "Dots" is to connect as many same-colored dots within a 60-second timeframe, challenging its players to beat their personal records or surpass those made by other "Dots" players (via online leaderboards).

Featuring an "endless" mode and an untimed moves-based mode, the game also highlights a multiplayer mode, giving it an interactive twist as a puzzle game title for smartphones and tablets.

"Scurvy Scallywags"

Available in versions for Android and iOS

As a puzzle game title, Beep Game Inc.'s "Scurvy Scallywags" merges the puzzle game genre with the world of pirates - brimming with ships, lots'a loot, arrrs and yarrrs.

Challenging its players to collect as many treasures from different lands, the goal in "Scurvy Scallywags" takes shape in reassembling the "Ultimate Sea Shanty" - complemented by a series of side quests and level-ups.

Though not strictly a puzzle genre game, "Scurvy Scallywags'" puzzle-and-RPG gameplay scope is sure to be of interest for mobile gamers of all ages.

"Slydris"

Available in versions for Android and iOS

Highlighting three gameplay modes - Zen, Infinite, and Survival Mode - Radiangames' "Slyris" bears a re-imagined take on the line-formation gameplay dynamic of "Tetris" and "Tetris"-inspired games, giving it an addictive flair that is neither repetitive nor predictable.

Working with a smart device's touch screen-based interface, "Slydris" players are not limited to drop-down line-formation actions, as it also includes side-to-side based actions that could affect the number of lines its players could clear from stages.

Simply put, "Slydris" is a "Tetris"-inspired game that comes with a twist - a quality that makes it an outstanding puzzle game for mobile devices. (FREEMAN)