Pixel Puzzles Junior is a jigsaw game that is explicitly designed for a younger audience. Whilst the concept of this game is just like any other pixel puzzle game. This game in particular is noticeably different to the other games in the franchise. Particularly in the set up and visual design of the game itself as it is meant for small children.
Whilst this game is a pixel puzzles game that is near enough the same as the other games in the series. But unlike the other games in the series (which predominately uses photographs). The images used in this game are a mix of different cartoon style images. With images ranging from clip art style vegetables through to a montage of smiley faces. The images provided in game are all in a similar nature which is refreshing and relevant to children. I also like that some of the images are not childish as I can imagine that there is adults playing this game such as parents playing this game with their children.
Whilst visually the style of the game is decent I also like how the game does provide a lower difficulty level as you can do jigsaws with 9-56 pieces in them which is handy as it will mean that parents can let them play without difficulty issues, I also like that you can do any jigsaw with less more pieces as in other pixel puzzles games you are provided with a puzzle and you only get to do it with the pieces provided and there is no easier/harder levels available. I would have liked the option to have easier and harder modes on offer. However the difficulty levels on offer are ok for the games original target market.
Whilst the design for this game is good for small children as it is very child friendly and easy to access. I think that there are some design aspects to this game that I think is weird. One example that I think is out of place is the giraffe that is located in the left hand corner in the menu of the game. It stays there until you complete a jigsaw the giraffe pops up with a canned ‘yay’ sound effect. I feel is strange as there is no need or reason for the giraffe to pop up and the sound effect gets annoying especially if you are playing the 9 piece puzzles (which you can complete in a matter of seconds.).
I also didn’t like the music in game as it is only a few tracks on a loop. There is one track for the menu and other tracks that are used when you’re playing the jigsaws. But I feel that even if the music itself is like something from a preschool kids programme. There should have been more choice/selection of songs instead of a limited selection.
I also think that this game does have one feature that I think will frustrate children. That feature being the floating pieces as when you are playing the game the pieces on the left/right side float. I think that there should have been an option to have it so pieces are static. To add to this I also think that the game should have had the option to remove all but the outer pieces when selected. Personally I feel that should have been on offer. Since younger children in particular will struggle rummaging though the floating pieces looking for the outer edges.
Overall I particularly recommend Pixel Puzzles Junior for small children. Although I can recommend this if you want a cheap game with easy to get achievements. Outside of the aforementioned purposes for most people I feel that Pixel Puzzles Junior isn’t worth playing on. Purely due to the nature of the game as it does what it says on the tin. Frankly I feel that this game isn’t worth the full price due to the limited amount of content on offer.
