Bastion
LQ: 9.15
Recommended Age: 10+
Skills Used: Planning, Working Memory, Mathematics, Reading
In Art Style: BASE 10, players hold the DS system like a book, on its side. The screen fills with stacks of numbers that the player must alter and organize, with the goal being to get the numbers to add up to 10. Any adjacent numbers can be added together in either a row or column. To move the numbers, players “flip” them into place, and since the numbers are digital (like those found on an alarm clock), reversing them can change their value, (for instance, a 2 can be flipped into a 5 or a 6 into a 9). If a number is flipped into an unusable digit, (for instance, flipping a 3 into an E), the number cannot be used until it is set right. More numbers slide into the screen constantly, so players must act quickly. As a number-based puzzle game, there is no inappropriate content, but due to the difficulty and required math skills, the game is recommended to players ages 9 and up.
Recalling and retaining information in our minds while working.
In order to add up adjacent numbers to equal 10, players must flip the digits around so that they may be grouped together into equations, keeping several of them in mind at once. Since new numbers are continually joining the stack, players have to remember which numbers are needed where, and recall this information quickly so that they may reorganize their stacks. Also, certain numbers can be flipped into completely different numbers, so it is very useful to remember each of these unique numbers' locations within the stack, as their reverse value may become needed.
Being efficient and aware of our use of time and effort.
Since new numbers are always being added to the screen, players need to manage their time wisely. If players spend to much time flipping around numbers or creating complicated combinations of equations, too many numbers will flood the screen, ending the game. By balancing the construction of simple, low-scoring equations with lengthier, higher scoring ones, players can build their score without risking losing the game.
Adapting and adjusting to changing conditions and expectations.
In order to create combinations of numbers that add up to 10, players must be able to quickly flip digits, swap between numbers and re-organize the game board, constructing several simple math equations at once. This will allow them to build more complicated equations that score more points, rather than continually going for the most simple arrangements of numbers.
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