Two Dots Review

 
  Every once in a while a game will come along that is just simple enough to be good and not too simple where it is boring.  Two Dots by Playdots Inc. is one of these games that strikes that happy medium.  Released in 2014 this game has hundreds of level, weekly events, and just enough gameplay for some light hearted fun on your phone.

The Game:

  Two dots is a puzzle game where you will connect dots of similar colors to eliminate them from the board.  If you are able to make a square or a box shape you can eliminate all of the same colors as well.  There are also special objects that you will have to perform other actions to eliminate.  For example and early one is an anchor that you have to get to the bottom of the level in order to eliminate.  There is a variety of obstacles so you will need to plan out which dots you will want to connect.  If you fail the puzzle the player will also be offered the chance to purchase bombs for real money or pass and try again. Once you complete the level you will be given a 3-star rating based on performance.

  The game also gives you several abilities you can purchase with real money or earn through daily log ins.  These abilities include things like shuffling the board or eliminating dot of your choosing.  There are also starter boxes that you can use at the start of the puzzle that will release a one-time ability on the map.  These include things like changing the colors of the dots to all being the same or eliminating a random row.

  The player is given 5 hearts of "energy" and each puzzle on the map takes one heart to do.  If you are successful you will gain a heart so as long as you are succeeding you can continue on.  On top of the regular map, there are weekly maps that will give you rewards for beating them.  These are mostly aesthetic.  The game also allows for a connection to Facebook to compare with friends scores.

My Thoughts:

  With any mobile games, I like the relaxing ones and Two Dots is one of them.  Not only is the gameplay simple but the game's music and art pull you into a very relaxed atmosphere.  I also like how the ads are not in your face and don't get in the way of gameplay.  They are more of something you can use to make a map easier, making it more worth your time to watch one.  Unless it's the one of the shity Game of War ads.  Those fucking stupid ones that feel like they take forever while some low res shit units march to a wall and you build low res shit tower till it allows you to leave.  I hate those ones.

   The only down sides are the restrictions on the hearts you get and on some levels, they are pretty obviously designed to only be reasonable through extreme luck or abilities.  You are offered the chance to watch and add to get some of these abilities or gain a heart between rounds but it still feels like you are being pinned into buying something.  The game also does feel a bit repetitive after a time because you are basically doing the same thing over and over.

  The game has an insane amount of levels and just getting through them would be a long task in itself.  It's been around for some time so be surprised that one of your friends turned up to 11 on the dedication scale.  I have only breached the 100s but have got a few weekly maps int.  One thing I like is how even much later they add variation to the game play with the level objects.  Some you have to eliminate, other you have to spread across the level, and some help you knock out large portions of the dots.  It's all pretty entertaining.  

TL;DR:

  While I would not call it riveting or ground breaking Two Dots is still an enjoyable time.  This a very light and relaxing puzzle game and I have to say I love the sound track.  Its very chill.  If you got some free time or are looking for something easy to throw on your phone try this one out.  It is available on both IOs and Android devices.