Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fast-paced matching game fun and, of course, social.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Gems With Friends
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
Players must match three similar gems to earn points -- and those gems must have the same number as at least two other nearby gems. Each match earns you points and a new gem (i.e. matching a line of "1" gems earns you a "2" gem when they combine, which appears in the spot where you placed the last matching gem and is worth more points). The higher the number on the gem, the more points you earn for making a match. Bonus gems can extend chains, freeze time, or offer other bonuses. Whoever earns the most points after three rounds is the winner.
Is It Any Good?
Gems With Friends is certainly a fun game -- but its release shows Zynga may be turning into a victim of its own success. The game is easy to grasp, well-paced, and fun -- but it's sometimes hard to find someone to play against. So many people are focused on other "With Friends" games that they're ignoring this one. (Even finding a random opponent takes a little while.)
There's certainly variety, though -- no game board is ever the same. And if you prefer a game that forces quick thinking, the clever mechanic of reducing your bonus if you don't make matches fast enough is an intriguing one. It's not perfect, but it's ultimately a fun social game.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Play chess or another forward-looking game to show kids how to strategize. Speed chess will teach them to think quickly. Chess With Friends and Chess Academy for Kids are also good options.
Encourage kids to play with their real-life friends rather than use random matchups. And join the fun by playing against your teen as well.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , problem solving , strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Release date : September 10, 2012
- Genre : Puzzle Games
- Publisher : Zynga
- Version : 4.11
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 4.3 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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