Sum Idea Review

Sum Idea starts out fairly easy and then soon turns into a really rather challenging number puzzle game. It might seem like something aimed at kids, but you’ll soon find yourself scratching your head, trying to figure things out.

The idea behind it is immensely simple. Each level offers you a series of numbered tiles and you have to manipulate them, swiping the tiles around to go in the correct slots. A guide at the top of the screen shows where they should be and you’re given limited moves in which to achieve that. At first, it’s predictably easy because Sum Idea is teaching you the basics.

A few levels in and you’re introduced to the addition and subtraction tiles, each playing a vital role. For one thing, these tiles also need to end up in the right place. More importantly though, when you swap them with another number, that number is affected by the function. That’s when things get trickier as you have to be careful how you move things around. Plus, that generous move counter doesn’t feel so generous after this.

It’s a fairly enjoyable set of logic puzzles, although Sum Idea is a bit heavy handed with in-app purchases. You’re given free hints and swaps for a time, before running out and being restricted to daily freebies or some rather expensive in-app purchases. Of course, the beauty to Sum Idea is figuring things out for yourself. It has that Layton-esque quality to it that means you can leave it for a while then come back and everything clicks in your head once more.

It’s really quite charming throughout, with visuals that keep you happy as you scratch your head in mild frustration. Sum Idea isn’t going to be a game to complete quickly, but as a slow burner, it does the job pretty well.