Additional Disclosure: this blog post was sponsored by Marc-Andre Weibezahn.
My son loves challenging puzzles! He has been doing projects for school about apps and electronic communication. Zirkel not only gave him a new perspective on apps, it also gave him inspiration for his creative endeavors. Because of the meditative music, he actually used the app as an example of a stress-relieving activity that you could use before you communicate about a sensitive subject. Not ALL apps are mindless puzzle games!
About Zirkel:
Zirkel is a new kind of puzzle game. Players connect flames which move on different rings by touching them.
Based on this simple mechanic and a few additional rules Zirkel creates increasingly complex geometric systems for the player to solve. But no rush: the game gives you all the time you need. Zirkel is not a hectic experience but a game about contemplation and observation.
The graphics and sound design of Zirkel add greatly to this. They create a world which is abstract and indistinct but also has depth and atmosphere.
Because Zirkel is a premium applet, no ads or IAPs distract from this experience.
(Information obtained from Zirkel online, HERE.)
My first impression of Zirkel was that it was going to be an easy game — touch the flames and make them meet to become bigger — easy, right? After my first few levels I found myself questioning everything I thought about this iOS app. Sure, the levels started out easy to help me learn and understand how to play, but the further I played, the more the game started to defeat me. (Of course, that meant I was playing it even more because I can’t stand to lose.)
Take a look at the screen shots below to see the various puzzle layouts players face with Zirkel:
When my son caught on that I was playing Zirkel he was determined not to let me reach levels above him. Later we found ourselves comparing stars and levels to see who was doing the best. I hate to admit it, but he does earn more stars than I do on the first try — okay, so maybe that is a proud moment thing instead; we want our children to do better than us, right?
How will you play Zirkel? Will you play to defeat
the levels or to defeat each with a three-star?
Mom’s Thoughts:
I have enjoyed playing Zirkel. I like that it isn’t a timed game as they can be less enjoyable to me. The soothing/meditative/atmospheric original soundtrack by Léel was really captivating. It paired well with the circular motion of the flames and the space-like graphics. I can see this game being an asset to those who are already using concentration methods for pain or anxiety management.
Zirkel is designed for both iPhone and
iPad and is available HERE for download.
Stay Connected With Zirkel on Facebook, Twitter, and their Blog!
