App Store Editors’ Notes

Lovely interface, minor grievances

This is a pleasant digital implementation of the board game, thank you devs. The interface is beautiful, the sounds and style well done. Some minor things I wish could be added: a recap of your online opponent's moves? Some sort of popup of what each symbol means or ability does? Otherwise a great game, already having fun playing with friends.

This 5$ game needs more options.

Good game. But each time ends too quickly. It will be nice if can customize the number of cycles. Also more map types Also feels like something else is needed to spice it up a bit. Overall a good foundation game and well made. Looking forward to more challenging components/elements. Some uncontrollable factors that create “natural” obstacles the player have to work around. Still feels like a work in progress game dispite the nice graphics and controls. Perhaps some pop up windows for different symbols while holding down during the game will be nice. Maybe if big trees grew flowers then fruit or something to keep it being able to evolve. They could attract invasive or symbiotic species that affects surrounding plants as well. Etc etc. And more game maps?? How can a 5$ game only offer one map??? HelloooOOOooo!!

Hard to learn

I have played the tutorial 3-4 times. I’ve played the physical copy of Photosynthesis and wanted to try out this new game vi app. There are too many icons and symbols forcing a player to have to memorize or guess what each icon means. I still don’t know what the sap does or the “powers” which may accumulate. This app is best for someone already familiar with the game. The tutorial or having some sort of helper aid in-game would be helpful.

Hard to learn game from it

App is beautifully designed but the rulebook and tutorial need a bit more depth. It would be nice to see the names of the active player vs an icon you have to click to. Also having a ? Next to symbols that explain what something is would be helpful. I forgot what some of the special powers are based on the symbol alone the first few play throughs.

Beautiful! Needs battery optimization maybe

This game is gorgeous, and I’d describe it as relaxing strategy. It makes you think, but it’s not overwhelming. You play against AI in that they have their own board, but working your own board is what matters. So I just chase my own high score, regardless of win/lose. Everything flows nicely, and you can play a game against AI (which is very smart even on easy) in 10 minutes. The tutorial is good, but you must read the rules so you can comprehend better what the different icons mean, as there is no text explanation when you’re playing. But once you do the tutorial, read the rules, and play a game, it will click. This is one of the best tile placement game apps I’ve played. Very well done. And I appreciate the fair monetizing with no ads. I applaud developers who do this right. Thank you! I love the light, peaceful aesthetic. One thing to take note of for people with sight issues, the text, icons, etc., are very small on a phone. Once you learn the iconography though that’s not so much an issue. It’s totally playable on a phone. I’m sure it’s better on an iPad though. My only suggestion is for better battery optimization. I turned off all the effects in settings (which is sad because they are so fantastic), and that helps, but it could still use some battery optimization. It’s not the worst, but it does drain a bit more than my other games and can make the phone a tad warm. But not so much as to be dangerous. I do hope you can adjust that though. Other than that, I highly recommend this game. It’s really, really good. I had never played the physical game, I just heard of the app now. I’m glad to have found it. Especially for such a great price. Thank you developers!

Where are the card tips?

I just finished the tutorial and am frustrated that I have no idea what any of the cards do. There are a bunch of icons on the cards, but no words. I’m basically choosing blindly and poking around the map in trial and error. Seems like a nice game, but would be better with a pop up explanation of what the symbols mean and what the card can do.

The finalists for the Origins Awards were chosen in 14 different categories. The number of categories were expanded in 2022 (see "Categories...

ICv2 Mon Nov 11 2024