Blendoku 2

Blendoku 2 is an excellent example of a free, mobile puzzle game done right. Based on the deceptively simple concept of sorting colors, Blendoku 2 offers great depth of content and innovative mechanics to a mobile puzzle scene overrun by match-three spinoffs and their ilk.

Gameplay is straightforward: a crossword-like board is presented with a small number of colored tiles already filled in. Players must then place the remaining colors into the correct spaces so that the resulting board follows some sort of color gradient. Variants on this basic formula include “Keyless”, where the original board has no preset tiles; “Decoys,” where some tiles are red herrings and not part of the end configuration, and “Clones,” where a color corresponds to multiple spaces on the board. Completionists can challenge themselves to beat levels faster than the world average time and do so perfectly, avoiding putting any colors in incorrect locations. Achievements accompany these feats and more (and all are possible without payment).

Levels are organized by difficulty. The base game, which is completely free, includes generous amounts of content: 150 “simple” levels, 150 “medium,” 100 “hard,” 100 “master,” and 50 bonus “thanks” levels. This was more than enough to provide a satisfying experience, and interested players can more than double the number of levels by purchasing level packs. Monetization, per usual, comes from ads played between levels.

There are a variety of other game modes and perks to discover throughout the game, including a multiplayer versus mode, “painting” levels, a “color IQ” test, and a daily challenge level. These are all nice enough experiences, demonstrating the developers’ abilities to strike a near-perfect balance between providing abundant content and remaining focused on their core gameplay. As a result, Blendoku 2 feels full without trying to do too much.

All in all, Blendoku 2’s commitment to simplicity in design and mechanics combined with its plethora of free content makes it a must-try for puzzle lovers.