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“Splashy Dots” takes abstract art and connect the dots to produce a puzzle game. The game has you brush from dot to dot until you reach the last one with all the points connected. Each dot can only be connected by vertical or horizontal lines once, but you can brush over them to connect to one across from it. Diagonal lines are not a creative solution.

Some levels may be straightforward, but you will take some time figuring out others.

Each collection of levels is set to a certain difficulty and progressively becomes challenging as you go down the series. The first three galleries are free but the rest can only be purchased, costing $10 per gallery with 900 levels each. Brushes, which are needed for playing a level, and hints can also be purchased through the microtransaction shop. Furthermore, there is an option to watch ads to get your hands on these two reserves. However, you can also outright buy unlimited Hints and Brushes ($20 for each unlimited plans).

splashy dots puzzle solving basic level 2

I call this piece “Basic Level 2”.

The presentation is simplistic, but it does the job. Despite there’s only one song that plays throughout the game it’s a relaxing lounge number. It’s a nice track to listen while focusing on puzzles, until the occasional ad pops in. As for graphics, the spotlight focuses on the paint used in the levels. They may look like blobs of paint quickly brushed off to a spot of paint that splashed on contact (it is called “Splashy Dots”) but the patterns the solutions make can be fascinating to view. Plus each gallery has a theme so the collection of levels will have different color variations.

As far as art and puzzles are concerned, Canada and the United Kingdom are more hardcore than USA.

The game is fun with its simple approach to connect the dots puzzles. Sure, “Splashy Dots” may be repetitive, but there are plenty of levels that’ll have to ponder the solution for some time (I don’t recommend using the reset button). However, since it will cost you another brush to work on the level again (granted the recharge time for brushes is about one minute), it’s better to just backtrack even when you have levels asking for multiple brushes.

All in all though, “Splashy Dots” is a fun and simple puzzle game. So it’s most definitely worthy of your time if you’re into puzzle games.

Pros:
+ Simple and fun abstract art puzzle game with various gallery themes
+ First three galleries free with plenty of levels to solve

Cons:
– The microtransaction is strong with this one

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound/Music: 3.5/5
Controls: 4/5
Replay value: 3/5

tgg grade 4 out of 5

Verdict: 4/5
“Splashy Dots” is a fun puzzle game that lets you create pieces of abstract art as you solve levels, but the microtransactions seem a bit steep for what they’re asking for. The price for unlimited brushes makes some sense because that would free the app from the Free to Play model you usually see. However, the prices are fairly high for new galleries, which are more of the same from the free series the app comes with. That being said those free galleries are enough to enjoy and come to a decision on how much you want to put in.

Title: Splashy Dots
Developer: Crimson Pine Games
Format: Android
Genre: Casual Puzzle
Resolution: 720×1280
Release date: 2017-07-12
Difficulty: Easy to Hard
Spent time: 3+ hours
Average grade internationally: N/A as of writing Gamerankings.com
PEGI/ESRB age rating: PEGI3+/Everyone
Price: Free (Microtransactions)