Countdown App

Summary
Based on the gameshow of the same name %%Countdown% is a puzzle game where you have to work out anagrams and mathematical problems.

Description
Type: Puzzle
Platform: Android tablet
Players: 1
Age: Suitable for any age, but children will find the puzzles very difficult.
Game Time: 5 - 30 mins
Developer or Designer: Claps Apps
Publisher: Claps Apps

Pros

Cons

Review



Countdown is a popular British TV gameshow which involves three types of puzzles that contestants have to solve. It is also played in Australia under the name Letters & Numbers This free to download app for Android is pretty much the exact same thing, but how does it translate as a tablet game?



Each game is made up of three types of rounds: a letters round, numbers round and conundrum round. The app gives detailed instructions on how to play each. Before you start a match you can practice as often as you like in order to improve your speed.



In the letter round, you have thirty seconds to make the longest word possible out of the nine letters dealt to you. You can choose how many vowels and consonants you want. Your score is the number of letters in the word, unless you get a nine letter word, in which case you get double points.

The game is just as addictive as the show, and during those thirty seconds, my mind was focussed on nothing else than form a word. The main problem with the game is how long you have to submit a word. It is the same length of time as the show, but pressing/swiping a tablet takes a lot longer than jotting it down on paper, and I find myself running out of time a lot sooner than I should.

The conundrum round is similar to the letters round, only more difficult because you have to use all the letters.



In the numbers round you are given a series of high and low numbers with which you have thirty seconds to figure out how to calculate them into a specific total score.



It is not easy to do when you have a pen and paper in hand, but trying to achieve this on a tablet is near on impossible. I also found the way your calculations are shown the screen very confusing.

To keep you motivated, you can view your statistics from the home screen, and earn accolades. If you get a high score, then you can send it to the online global leader board.



As well as the game on the TV show, the app also has a teatime teaser, which has three difficulty settings. A complete game has 100 rounds of anagrams to solve. You are given a clue to help you un-jumble the word, and earn one coin for every anagram you solve. These coins can be used to 'buy' letters if you get stuck, and the computer will give you the starting letter.

The teatime teaser is very enjoyable, but a bit long winded. I would prefer if it were fifty rounds rather than a hundred.

Categories
#puzzle
#tv_show
#1_player
#free
#single_player
#download
#android
#word_game
#educational

%giventogaming