Pac-Chomp!

Version: 1.0.0
Compatible: iPhone, iPod, iPad - iOS 3.0
Price: $1 (On Sale as of this posting)

Bejewelled is one of those games that feels meant for the iOS platform and after playing Pac-Chomp! it's difficult to think how to play it any other way. With the App Store full of potential and releases in the Game category, the number of Bejewelled clones is adamantly clear. It's not necessarily a bad thing (all the time.) Pac-Chomp! falls into the same category of it's like Bejewelled but... It's like Bejewelled but has the Pac-Man theme attached.

If you've never played Bejewelled (which is hard to avoid seeing as it's been on every single mobile platform since the Game Gear) here's the basics. You have a board of coloured pieces and you have to shift any one one square to the top, bottom, left or right to match 3, 4 or 5. Keep the combos going to keep the game going to get the highest score possible. That's the story here except for one twist, there's a Pac-man piece on the playing field. By itself it doesn't do much, however when you match 4 or 5 pieces in a row, you create one of several pieces that has numerous effects.

Twister eliminates all 8 pieces surrounding it, Colour Bomb takes out all colours similar to itself, Rainbow Cross destroys everything vertically and horizontally and finally the power pellet is like a bonus round that lets you eat across the board to your hearts content and earn bonus points. Another thing to note is that there are buttons on the bottom that lets you rotate the corners for strategic purposes.

I originally got it for the iPad (and it works fine) but this was meant for the iPhone and Touch. One handed control and ease of access makes this an irresistible addition to the portable repertoire. Addictive, simple and thoroughly satisfying once you get into it. Racking up combos and nailing power up after power up that leaves a sweet aftertaste. It’s the type of puzzle game thats easy to learn but tricky to master.