Parents' Guide to Crayon Physics Deluxe

CRAYON PHYSICS DELUXE is an outstanding physics-puzzler. Unlike many similar games that provide you with a limited set of tools, this game lets you draw any object you choose, including hinges and ropes, to help you get the ball through the environment to the exit star. However, this incredible freedom comes at a price: very difficult puzzles, like how to get the ball from a tiny floating platform to the star that is far away and much higher up. The game offers no hints, so it is up to the player to come up with clever solutions. The graphics are made to look like crayon on newsprint, and have a child-like feel to them, which belies the difficulty level.

On a small screen it can be easy to erase the wrong object, but the controls mostly work as designed. The level selection screen is poor, with just a row of numbers, no preview of the level selected, and no indication of whether you've completed the level already. With a better interface, and perhaps a lower price, this would be five star app.