This game is competent and smooth. Simple gameplay with progressively less simple levels. The learning curve starts slow and starts to pick up around world 4 of 12. One thing I must point out are the ads. This is the best use of ads I’ve ever seen in a FTP game, ever. They only last 5 seconds long each, the X actually just closes the ad and doesn’t make you bounce back and forth between tapping the X and Done 3 times before it closes. They even warn you with “Commercial Break” appearing in between levels. The ads themselves tend to be small and almost integrated with the app. The first time I saw a full-screen ad it was almost jarring. I like flow puzzles like this one, and it’s fine. A little basic and simple but I’m only 1/3rd of the way through. It’s calming and well made. The art style is dope, the colors are warm pastels which is interesting without being obtrusive. The music is decent, if a little too ambient for me. Gameplay basically falls into two categories; numbers of mo...

At first glance this game brings to mind Monument Valley: similar isometric view of architectural paths to unravel, rendered in a relaxing pastel palette, accompanied by a dreamy, ethereal soundtrack. Unlike that game, Aquavius’ geometry and physics are straightforward, while its approach to pathfinding and puzzle-solving is considerably less relaxed — because there’s a countdown timer ticking while you explore. On some maps you are able to route the water in a closed loop that effectively stops the timer, giving you more of an opportunity to consider options. But on many levels it is a frustrating race against time as you struggle to move segments of aquaduct into position before the clock runs down, dumping you out of the puzzle. The timer would be great as an option, but as a constant it becomes pretty annoying — especially on levels where there is just barely enough time to make the necessary moves even once you know what to do. I can’t tell you how many levels I had to re-play mul...