1010! Color

Ad-heavy focus ruins easy-to-play puzzle game.
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1010! Color
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that 1010! Color is a puzzle app for iOS and Android devices. The game tasks players with grouping blocks to clear them from a randomly generated puzzle. The game features extensive ads that pop up in between virtually every round, as well as when you're trying to access the app's menu. Some are a minute long and really slow down the overall experience, unless you pay $4.99 to get rid of them. Players may enjoy that there's less time pressure than in some similar block-matching games -- although there's really no explanation of how to play, which makes the points you receive and each round's length seem somewhat arbitrary.
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What’s It About?
In 1010! COLOR, players place one of a few block formation options on a board to try to line up similar items. Grouping three blocks vertically, horizontally, or in an L-shape will clear them from the board -- and sometimes also clear nearby ones that are the same color, earning points. Players try to reach a numeric goal in each challenge, although discovering what this goal is becomes a mystery, because it's unknown what items that are cleared will be worth or how long each game will last.
Is It Any Good?
While this puzzle game can be slightly fun, the lack of instruction and the constant insertion of ads throughout the game ruin the gameplay. Unlike some other block placement-based games, 1010! Color doesn't require players to rotate block formations or rush to position them before they fall to the bottom of the screen. Some players may be happy that there's no time pressure involved; they just need to choose a group of blocks and can test locations out before making their final placement decision. Unfortunately, players won't get much guidance on how to play. It's unclear exactly how the scoring works or how long each round will last.
Providing instructions would give players a better sense of what they're supposed to be doing after they download the app; incorporating levels might also help keep them interested in using it on a regular basis. In its current state, without clear instructions, 1010! Color would probably be best for younger kids who may enjoy just trying to complete individual matching challenges without any overarching goal or intent. But younger players will likely also find the frequent ads jarring; unless you pay to remove them, one minute you're engrossed in a game, and the next, you're being forced to sit through a lengthy product plug for another app. After a while, it can start to feel like you're spending as much time watching ads as you are trying to strategize where to put new blocks -- which parents might not be too crazy about, either. Unfortunately, since there's such an obvious focus on ads, 1010! Color will probably push puzzle fans away after only a few matches.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about using planning and strategy in games. What are some real-life situations where that approach would also be helpful?
If you get stuck playing a game and don't know what to do next, how should you handle it? What steps can you take to figure out how to advance?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: February 27, 2019
- Category: Puzzle Games
- Publisher: Gram Games
- Version: 1.0.0
- Minimum software requirements: Requires iOS 9.0 or later and Android 4.1 and up.
- Last updated: February 12, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love puzzles
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