Aiko Island

Review

Common Sense Media says

Block-popping puzzler's unique twists make it worthwhile.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Aiko Island is a puzzle game that tasks players with ridding certain colored blocks from the screen, but ensuring that others are saved. The game features very mild violence as cannons and explosives can be employed to bring down "enemy" blocks (called Aiko), but no suffering is depicted and the shots are very cartoonish. Otherwise, there are no sex or language concerns and the commercial aspects (highlighting other games by the developer) are well buried in the menu options. Users can share high scores via the Game Center or Open Feint social networks, but participation is optional. Also, an HD version is available for the iPad. The two games are identical in gameplay. 

  • Ease of use4
    The game features very rudimentary controls that are easy to grasp and are easily explained. Like other puzzle games, it's mastering those that's the real challenge. 
  • Violence1
    You can use a cannon or other explosive methods to eliminate non-Blue Aiko, but it's done in a very cartoonish fashion and no suffering is depicted. 
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    A page advertising other apps by the developer is two swipes away from the main menu screen. 
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety3
    Some privacy concerns. Users can opt in to OpenFeint, an interactive network that allows users to upload real avatar photos, post on message boards, connect with Facebook friends or Twitter followers, and access live chat with strangers. Users can opt in to Game Center to track achievements instead; it does not have chat and connections to other social media within the app.
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Is it any good?

 

AIKO ISLAND doesn't follow the path of virtually every other game in the puzzle field and that alone makes it worthy of notice. While the game itself isn't revolutionary (it's a physics-based block popper, where you must eliminate all but the blue blocks onscreen), its inclusion of a branching path system, letting you decide which puzzles to tackle next, is nice. And the multiplayer mode, letting you compete against friends via speed-run results, is a nice solution to the solo gaming silo so many puzzlers fall into. The plot is completely forgettable, but that's not unusual. On the whole, it's different enough to be worth of your time. 

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This review was written by Chris Morris

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This review was written by Chris Morris
Category:Puzzle Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$.99
Size:70.90 MB
Publisher:IceFlame LTD
Version:1.01
Release date:October 14, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.2 or later
This review was written by Chris Morris

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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