Common Sense Media Review
By Paul Semel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
The Force is strong in this Star Wars-flavored match-3 game.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Star Wars: Puzzle Droids
What's It About?
In STAR WARS: PUZZLE DROIDS, BB-8 is missing some memories, and he needs you to match three or more of the same kinds of circuits to unlock his archive system. As you do, you follow the path BB-8 took in the beginning of The Force Awakens, when he was running around Jakku with Rey. Later levels will take place on Takodana, while there are already plans to add a visit to the Death Star.
Is It Any Good?
By augmenting a match-3 puzzler with imagery and even gameplay mechanics from the sci-fi saga, this ends up being, well, out of this world. In Star Wars: Puzzle Droids, you have to help BB-8 restore his memories by matching three or more of the same kinds of circuits. So, yeah, this is another match-3 puzzle game. But it's not just another match-3 puzzle game, as it sometimes uses elements of Star Wars to add new gameplay mechanics. For instance, the bombs you get in other games here look like one of those thermal detonators Leia used to threaten Jabba, while the boost that destroys a single piece is here a Blas Technology DL-44 heavy blaster pistol like Han Solo's. But unlike in similar puzzle games, if you match seven of a certain circuit over time, it causes a Nightwatcher Worm to burrow and destroy a barrier. You can also use BB-8's blowtorch to destroy five circuits in a row, but unlike in other games, they can be five connected diagonally, not just horizontally and vertically. You can even replay puzzles you've beaten but now on "Expert" difficulty for added rewards. All of this helps Star Wars: Puzzle Droids feel both familiar and new ... not unlike a certain sci-fi saga.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about pattern recognition. What does this game teach you about recognizing colors and shapes and, thinking ahead, how the patterns might change if you remove some of the puzzle pieces?
Talk about budgeting money. Given that you can earn gems by playing, or could just wait until your lives refresh, is there a reason to spend a lot of money on this game? Conversely, wouldn't spending a little something help the developers?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : May 1, 2017
- Genre : Puzzle Games
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures , Robots
- Publisher : Disney
- Version : 1.0.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.2 and up; Amazon 4.2 and up
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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