[app id=”505955057″]
[youtube width=”500″ height=”300″]sIyHY419EtU[/youtube]
is an iPhone game developed by 99Games. Tito the sea turtle has a problem: he keeps taking off his shell and forgetting where he left it. In an ocean filled with dangers, that isn’t a very smart thing to do. Your job: help Tito find his lost shell, using a series of addictive physics puzzles.
In Tito’s Shell, players must use levers, weights, bombs, and balloons to solve the puzzle and unite Tito with his shell. Though how a balloon got trapped undersea is a mystery to me, of course. It’s fair to say that there are physics at play, just not the most realistic situations.
That being said, Tito’s Shell is really fun and super addictive. The calypso-inspired sound of the background music really sets the tone well. My only complaint is that with such a focus on speed, it’s easy to sacrifice strategy for speed in the quest for a high score.
While Tito’s Shell is clearly aimed at kids (as evidenced by the frequent on-screen tips and slow-paced text), it might be hard for some adults to get invested. The constant tips after failing to complete a level in the first attempt are good for kids, but are huge spoilers for older players who relish figuring things out for themselves.
With 45 puzzles in all, Tito’s Shell has a gradual learning curve that makes this game fun for kids and adults alike. With added features like social integration, the ability to listen to music in your iTunes library, and Game Center achievements, Tito’s Shell has a lot to recommend it. It might be a bit slow-paced for advanced puzzle fans, but it is still worth checking out.
SCORE: 8/10
is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.