Warp Shift

It's getting harder and harder to find games that are free and don't push ads or in app purchases down your throat. This game is one of the few exceptions. I've read other reviewers complaints towards these systems but it's really up to the player whether or not you choose to watch ads or buy solutions. I completed the first 2 worlds fully expecting the game to charge me to finish the rest but no charge ever came! This game is as free as it has been advertised and for that, I am really grateful to the developers and publishers. Some other complaints revolve around not being "free to explore other options." This game is basically one big Rubik's cube so of course the rules are rigid. The game forces you to work within its own world so sorry if you want a "non-linear puzzle game" bc this isn't it and you may be hard pressed to find one.

I like the idea of this game, it looks really nice, has a great set of visuals and sound, but when it comes down to it, it is another game in a long line of overly convoluted cash grabs. You have numbers and then Stars of top of that and I apparently missed the thing telling me how many moves I had before I was no longer at three stars. Move a box, that is a move, travel through the boxes, that is a move too. Travel through two boxes in a straight line, two moves. I wanted to like playing this game, but it is similar to any other three star game, it goes from easy to boringly convoluted in seconds. It isn't about challenging the player to do a thing, but to remove a find your own way system that makes players follow a rigid set of parameters instead of accomplishing through exploration. The goal isn't the goal and that is annoying. What this game does, like so many others, is to push you towards IAPs instead of just charging for a game up front. And I am not interested in shelling out repeatedly for a game I quickly will become annoyed with. And I am already annoyed.

I have read many reviews that complained of ads...I haven't seen one yet and I am on "world" 3. I feel sorry for the folks not patient or smart enough to figure these puzzles out without buying solutions. If you need to use hints and watch an ad ever now and then, I say great. That way the developers can get paid for making such a great game. It's better than some other games where you have to watch ads even if you don't need help. I admittedly have had a few levels take me tons of tries, but with patience and outside the box thinking I would eventually get my 3 stars. If you are too lazy for that, then this game is not for you.

I beat 30 levels before writing this review and didn't even realize there are ads or in-app purchases until reading other reviews just now. The only reason you will ever know those exist is if you need to cheat. Moves and redo are unlimited, but each level has a target move amount for different star rating. You can get a lower rating and continue on though if you don't want to bother figuring out the best solution. The only bad reviews are from people who expect to buy solutions instead of solving them (the whole point of the game!) Thank you to the devs for an truly elegant game.

Starts out with easy tutorial and progresses to more difficult and challenging puzzles. And when you use a hint to solve, always end up slapping yourself at how simple the solution was. Challenges me to use that part of my brain that usually gives up. Two thumbs up for brain development exercise. Almost like chess. You know how all the pieces move, just need to check it out and think outside your personal box. The image and sounds are very relaxing and does not add to the stress when you can't seem to see the path.