Brain It On! Physics Puzzles - Orbital Nine

This review of Brain It On! Physics Puzzles was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 15 May 2016.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Brain It On! Physics Puzzles contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

This app was reviewed to level 10.

App description

Brain It On! is an educational app that centres on physics-based puzzles. The objective is to complete the levels of increasing difficulty, by drawing objects that allow certain physics-related puzzles to be solved. The skills required are a sound knowledge of physics, problem solving and basic motor skills.

Reviewers comments

When the app is first installed, players are asked to create a Gamer ID – this enables players to be signed in automatically on multiple devices, to have their high scores shown on leaderboards, and to collect experience points and track achievements. A name is randomly generated for players (e.g. OligarchStarfish9224), or players can elect to write their own. Players are given the option of allowing others to ‘discover their Gamer ID using an email or name’. From here, players are taken to a menu screen containing the title of the app on a blue background, as well as several icon options: a Play icon, settings menu (where players can select a language, restore purchases, view the website or Twitter page, etc), as well as an icon to log-in via Facebook.

When the Play icon is selected, players are taken to a board-style screen where they are then able to select from one of five unlocked levels (twenty levels are presented in total). Upon entering level 1, players are presented with a square box in the middle of the screen, and text that states ‘Draw a shape’. Players can use their finger to touch and drag on the device screen – this enables players to draw a circle, square, etc. Once this is done, the next screen tells players ‘Nice one!’ and displays information regarding whether the goal was achieved, and the time it took in seconds to complete the task. Players have the option of sharing their drawn image via Facebook or Twitter.

As the levels progress, the tasks become increasingly complex. Players are presented with a plain box that has a small ball resting along the bottom. Players are told to ‘Make the ball touch the left wall’. To do this, players must draw something that, when it falls to the ground within the picture, moves the ball to the left side of the screen. Another level presents an outline of a glass, and states that players must ‘Tip the glass onto the ground’. This can be done in numerous ways, but physics-based problem solving must be utilised to achieve these goals

In between some levels, static advertisements which must be manually closed are displayed for other gaming apps. For example, a full-screen ad is displayed containing an image of a wizard, as well as text stating ‘Play Now! Free!’. If this ad is clicked, players are transported to the Google Play store where they discover the name of the app: Mysterious Slots FREE (casino/gambling-related app).

It is possible to make an in-app purchase to buy the ‘full game’, which unlocks all the levels, hints, a level-editor, and also removes all ads. This costs players $4.25. It is additionally possible to purchase more levels via buying individual sets of 20 levels (Puzzle Pack 2-9) each for $0.99. These levels can also be unlocked by gathering the necessary number of in-game stars, which players obtain after completing levels. It is also possible to unlock Community Levels, where players can compete with their friends within the game – to unlock this, all regular levels must be completed.

This app provides a considerable educational challenge, despite the advertisements and in-app purchases – each level is unique and difficult, and encourages players to think critically about how best to solve each problem that is presented.

In App purchasing

Yes: It is possible to make an in-app purchase to buy the ‘full game’, which unlocks all the levels, hints, a level-editor, and also removes all ads. This costs players $4.25. It is also possible to purchase more levels via buying individual sets of 20 levels (Puzzle Pack 2-9) each for $0.99.

Online information

When the app is first installed, players are asked to create a Gamer ID – this enables players to be signed in automatically on multiple devices, to have their high scores shown on leaderboards, and to collect experience points and track achievements. A name is randomly generated for players (e.g. OligarchStarfish9224), or players can elect to write their own. Players are given the option of allowing others to ‘discover their Gamer ID using your email or name’. Players have the option of sharing their in-game progress via Facebook or Twitter also. It is also possible to unlock Community Levels, where players can verse their friends within the game – to unlock this, all regular levels must be completed.

Gambling

No simulated gambling content was found within the game, however ads for other apps which may be for casino style games may be shown between play.

Advertising and product placement

In between some levels, static advertisements which must be manually closed are displayed for other gaming apps. For example, a full-screen ad is displayed containing an image of a wizard, as well as text stating ‘Play Now! Free!’. If this ad is clicked on, players are transported to the Google Play store where they discover the name of the app: Mysterious Slots FREE (casino/gambling-related app).

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

N/A.

Coarse language

N/A.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

No game playing behaviour which may be of concern to parents was found during this review.

Other

N/A.

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