Overview
Based on a board game of the same name, Take it Easy is a puzzle board game that will delight both single and up to four players. With four game modes for single players, and three modes for multiplayers, this app offers a lot to explore. It is available in 10 languages.
The Modes of Play
The classic mode, found in both single and multiplayer formats, recreates the board game experience. Players have a game board on which to place hexagonal pieces. Each piece has three colored lines overlapping in a criss-cross pattern. The goal of the game is to arrange your pieces in ways to create solid lines of the same color that travel completely across the board -- either vertically or diagonally. Each color has a point value, so you earn a score based on the number of line segments that make up your complete line. The strategy comes from figuring out how to complete the lines worth the most points and, in doing so, to also complete intersecting lines.
In the puzzle mode, the board is already filled with pieces. This mode, for both single and multiplayer, has players swapping pieces around to meet specific requirements. You might be challenged to create three vertical lines or six diagonal lines around the perimeter. The versus mode has players alternating turns to place pieces onto the board; with points being earned by the player who completes a line. For single players, there is also a progressive mode which offers 30 stages of timed challenges.
App Analysis
Take it Easy is a visually exciting and challenging puzzle app. It is equally enjoyable alone or by playing with others. The more you play, the easier it is to see the lines forming, and the app offers periodic tips on how to play better. These puzzles require players to use math as well as logic. Kids will quickly learn to focus on the colors that earn the most points.
Parents Need to Manage Advertising and Online Play
Take it Easy wasn't designed to be played just by kids -- adults will also enjoy this game. As such, there are no parental gates in this app to hide developer Ravensburger's marketing of their other apps. Found on the start screen under "News" and "More," if players touch images of the other games, the app whisks players to the app store. Also, the app supports online multiplayers, so parents will need to manage that aspect as well. For iOS, just don't turn on Game Center, and thus kids are unable to play online. Even with these kid-unfriendly aspects, this game is worth downloading if your kids like logic puzzles.
Best For
Take it Easy is great for playing with others. It is simple to learn, but challenging to master. And playing with others always makes games more fun because it adds a social component. That said, the puzzle mode for solo play is also really compelling.
This kids app review of Take it Easy was written by Jinny Gudmundsen.
All tech products are judged on a five star scale by looking at the following factors: fun, education, ease of use, value, and technical.
