Polymer

Controlled much like a Rubik’s Cube, Polymer lets you move an entire row or column of tiles at once, though the goal here isn’t to align colours: it’s to create extravagant self-contained shapes, which actually proves a real challenge. In the main game mode, you’re given just two minutes to amass points by compiling such shapes, though alternate options let you work on one massive polymer or clear ticking bombs from the board. Pattern recognition and quick movements are both key, and building a screen-spanning connection feels wickedly rewarding; though conversely, the game boards often seem oppressively obtuse, and the one endless mode sadly lacks scoring or stakes of any kind. Still, it’s quite the clever (and at times fascinating) iOS puzzler.