Bejeweled & Alchemy

$19.99, Win

Teaches: strategy

CTR Review

These two simple logic games are likely to appeal to puzzle lovers, although kids struggled a bit with Alchemy. The goal there is to place tiles next to those that are the same in color or symbol. Once a complete row of similar tiles is built, they turn into gold. Testers felt that the goal of Alchemy wasn't clear, and once they figured things out, gave us mixed feedback regarding the game's long-term use. Bejeweled, better liked by testers, is a Tetris-like game in which the goal is to line up three jewels of the same color and shape. Each appropriate match makes the jewels disappear (and sometimes those around it as well). New jewels are sent down to the screen, and more matches are identified. Players progress through the levels while earning points, until the match possibilities run out. Our puzzle-loving testers (as young as age 6) didn't mind the repetitive nature of this game and didn't want to stop playing.