Nibblers - Fruit Match Puzzle
Nibblers - Fruit Match Puzzle gallery
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Nibblers is a social match-3 puzzle game very similar to Candy Crush Saga. The game is easy to start, but as players progress, the puzzles become extremely difficult to solve without the use of power-ups that cost real money via in-app purchase, requiring you to watch a video ad or request help from friends on Facebook. You can block most of these features, but if you don't pay or watch ads, you have to wait to retry, which could be frustrating for some kids. Buttons to connect with Facebook appear between levels, so talk with your kids about what they are and aren't allowed to access.What kids can learn
The familiar gameplay, along with high-end graphics and loads of animated charm, will certainly entice kids to play -- but only until the game makes them wait or pay.
Kids use strategic thinking and must keep multiple goals in mind to solve puzzles quickly.
There are tutorial levels, and whenever a new challenge is introduced, the puzzle goals and player's progress are clearly indicated.
What's it about?
In NIBBLERS - FRUIT MATCH PUZZLE players try to match three or more similar items -- generally fruits -- by swapping adjacent tiles to create combinations that explode off the screen. Early boards only require you to make a certain number of matches in a set number of moves; however, later levels have additional challenges such as having to collect a special item or a set number of specific ingredients. There are bad guys in the form of lizards, crabs, and other creatures that can be bumped by the fruit or banished by other critters' powers. Every 30 levels, there's a boss battle where players not only have to make matches but also contend with a huge bad guy with special resistance and abilities.
Is it any good?
You can expect extremely high production value and a habit-forming free-to-play experience, but after a certain level, you also can expect to pay, wait, or watch ads. The graphics shine, and the new cast of characters is fiendishly adorable. Depending on your experience with the core concept, you probably won't be surprised by much: The first 20 to 40 levels are pretty easy to complete, but inevitably you're blocked from continuing until you let time elapse, pay real money, watch ads, or connect through Facebook. Integrating the game with Facebook adds replay value, particularly if you get a few friends playing so you can exchange gifts, but that aspect is locked to kids under 13 per Facebook's policies. Like Best Fiends before it, this match-3 is well made and entertaining until you hit the pay wall.
Families can talk about...
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Families can talk about in-app purchases and your rules about them.
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If a kid is old enough for a Facebook account, discuss safe social gaming practices and how the app collects personal information through social media accounts.
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Talk about delayed vs. instant gratification. What are the benefits of learning to wait?
App details
| Devices: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android |
| Price: | Free with in-app purchases |
| Pricing structure: | Free |
| Release date: | September 9, 2015 |
| Category: | Puzzle Games |
| Size: | 96.60 MB |
| Publisher: | Rovio Entertainment Ltd |
| Version: | 1.4.0 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 7or later; Android 4.1 and up |
