Dots for Android

The game is easy to learn. Use your finger to connect adjacent dots of the same color. The longer the chain of dots, the more points you get. You can earn even more points by connecting dots that form a square. Each dot you connect gets added to your “dot bank.” The dots in your bank are cumulative; you collect them over all games played. The collected dots can then be used to buy power ups.Dots is simple but oddly addictive. There is something strangely satisfying about connecting dots and eliminating them from the board. As you drag your finger along the dots, soft tones play in a musical progression that is pleasing to the ear. When you form a square, the screen lights up and your phone vibrates. Many will find this effect gratifying and will be motivated to form more squares. However, those who don’t like games that vibrate can turn the vibration off in the settings screen.

The design of Dots is minimalist and beautiful. There are no shiny game pieces, glittery special effects or cute candy themes. The graphics consist of simple, flat dots that are brightly colored yet pleasing to the eye. The user interface is uncluttered and has plenty of white space. The game does not play tacky background music in an endless loop. The sparse sound effects are soft and pleasant. The overall look and feel of the game is elegant not childish. Dots is a game that adults will feel comfortable playing in public.

Dots has two main game modes you can play for free: Timed and Moves. In the Timed game mode, you have 60 seconds to connect dots and earn points. In Moves mode, your goal is to earn as many points as possible in 30 moves. Since each round is short, Dots is an ideal game to play during spare moments such as waiting in line or for the bus.

The other game modes are Endless and Challenge. Endless mode is only available with a $1.99 in-app purchase. This mode has no time limits or move restrictions. In Endless mode, you can connect dots, uninterrupted, to your heart’s content. In Challenge mode, you are pitted against another player. You can play against a friend on Facebook, or the Dots server can match you against a random player.

Dots gives the player a pleasant user experience. There are no ads to clutter the screen or interrupt your gameplay. Unlike many casual mobile games, Dots uses no “lives” or “energy” to limit how long you can play. You can play Dots as much as you want, whenever you want, for free. There are only a couple of reasonably priced in-app purchases in the game, and the developers aren’t pushy or aggressive about convincing you to part with your hard-earned money.

Overall, Dots is a simple yet sophisticated game. If you like the ease and addictiveness of match-3 games but prefer a classier, more grown-up game, then Dots is for you.