Block Jam

Summary

If you’re looking for another fun game to play for when you’re on the go and want to kill some time, Block Jam may be just the ticket for you, at least judging from the rave reviews it’s gotten on the Android Market. Okay, here goes, let’s give it a whirl!

As the name of the application indicates, the protagonists of this game are rectangular blocks which can be shifted around horizontally and vertically (arrows indicate in which direction the blocks can be moved). The goal of the game is to clear the way for a red block, inscribed with a small green droid, so that said block can be pushed into a hole located at the bottom of the screen. The red block can only be budged along vertically.

I can only agree with the countless positive Market comments. Block Jam really is blast, especially if you’re like me and enjoy games that demand logical thinking. The first few levels are relatively easy to solve (even though it did take me a few moments to figure each level out). I’ve been stuck on level 11 for a while now, and while I’m sure that I’ll figure it out eventually, I’m still working on it for the moment.

I’m not exactly sure how many levels there are: couldn’t find any information in this regard. The Lite version has 10 levels, so I assume that Block Jam has at least 20. There are also a few cranky comments in the Market, complaining about there not being enough levels and that the duration of the game is too short (5 minutes?). As far as I’m concerned, it took me an hour to reach level 11, and I anticipate that it’ll take me quite some time to get through all the levels.

When you click on the Start button on the start screen the game commences immediately. You will also automatically be transported to the last level you were playing when you quit the game.

You’ll find information about the level you’ve reached as well as about how many moves you’ve made so far under the playing field.

You can move the blocks in the direction you want using your finger—provided there is room for it, of course.

You’ll find the following options under the menu button:

• Help
• Restart
• Go back
• Skip
• Progress save/restore
• Quit

Help does not elaborate very much, but then again there isn’t that much to say about the gameplay, which is rather simple. If you’ve hit a dead end, click on Restart to begin a new game. Go back takes you back to previous levels, Skip allows you to skip ahead, provided that you had previously already solved the higher levels. You can save information regarding your progress under Progress save/restore, and Quit obviously lets you end the game.

I like the games graphics, although I can’t say that there’s anything particularly breathtaking about them.

Bottom line:
Block Jam is a cool game for whenever you’re in between two things and want to kill some time. It’s one of those games that will get you addicted to its gameplay, which is simple yet challenging. Trust me, I’m going to get past level 11 if it’s the last thing I do!

No problems to report: the app ran very smoothly.

Block Jam can be downloaded for UK£1.00 from the Market.