Pablo Cavarez: Sliding Puzzle Explorer
Platform: iOS, Android
Pablo Cavarez: Sliding Puzzle Explorer is your new hero. The intrepid explorer traverses underground temples like we stroll through the park. His secret is to take things one square at a time. His other secret is to get you to move those squares before taking a single step. The sliding block puzzle game is somewhat similar to Continuity in basic design, but Pablo definitely has the tougher job. How many other puzzle heroes have to use a sword?
Pablo stands at the ready at the beginning of each level. Tap blocks to move them around the screen, sliding them into open spaces to arrange the landscape so Pablo can walk through. Ladders and ropes, gems and levers often need to be traversed, turning what should be a simple sliding block puzzle into something much more entertaining. Not only do you have to make a path for Pablo to reach the exit, you'll also have to deal with an assortment of obstacles, most of which require an item you must run across first. Flappy bat in your path? Get Pablo to the sword, he'll take care of it!
Analysis: Pablo Cavarez has a subtle sense of humor that's just noticeable enough to keep things lighthearted without stealing the spotlight from the puzzles. The best example of this is Pablo's little dance when he makes it to a level exit. No adventurer worth his salt travels without a pair of celebratory maracas, you know. Apart from that, there's nothing to distract you from the core sliding mechanics.
Pablo Cavarez: Sliding Puzzle Explorer is just puzzles. No ads, no microtransactions, no fake links or moronic in-app currencies to fiddle with just so you can sit down and play. The download is free and features a single minimal purchase to unlock the full set of 64 levels divided between four worlds. After that, it's just you and the sliding dungeons.
Pablo Cavarez: Sliding Puzzle Explorer (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad)
Pablo Cavarez: Sliding Puzzle Explorer (Android)
Pablo Cavarez: Sliding Puzzle Explorer (Android, Kindle Fire)
Update