Find a Way, José! App Review

Find a Way, José! Price: Full Version $0.99, Free version available (with limited levels) For: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with iOS 4.3 or later Available for your iOS device (or iPod touch), Find a Way, José! is a challenging puzzle game that will hold your attention for hours and keep your gears turning.  This app by Artlab Interactive is rated as the number one game in Brazil and Spain, the number one puzzle game in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, and the number one board game in Argentina, Italy, Belarus and Israel. The goal of each level is simple: move José to the bottle of liquor.  The puzzle is comprised of a varying amount of sliding blocks, all of which are different colors and have different items and/or animals inside (which are themed, depending on the chapter).  For instance, in the Mexican Desert chapter you come across blocks filled with condors, peppers, and scorpions; whereas in the Outer Space chapter you will encounter asteroids, space stations, and aliens, among others. The game is tap-to-play based, and all you need to do for each puzzle is tap the selected block and slide it in the direction you choose.  Upon first interacting with the app, you will find a helpful series of screen shots that show you how to play.  Additionally, the first level in the first chapter shows you where you are and where you need to go.  Although each level has the same goal, the puzzles become progressively harder as you advance.  Furthermore, each level rates you from one to five stars depending on how long it took you to complete the level in addition to the number of moves it took.  The time and number of moves are tracked at the top of the screen, and each level has a certain number of minimum moves it will take and the longest time it should take you.  Depending on how close to these goals you come, the more stars you will receive.  Be wary, however, as any time you move horizontally or vertically it counts as a move. If you become stuck on a level, you can always click the Pause icon in the top right of the screen to restart the level.  You can also go to the home screen, access the other levels in the designated chapter, turn off the music (which is quite repetitive and the only qualm we have with the app), or unlock a level.  Unlocking a level requires a J, which can be acquired by completing a level with 5 stars or by purchasing them.