• Editor Rating

  • Rated 4.5 stars
  • Highly Recommended

  • Quality
    Editor: 100%
  • Education
    Editor: 100%
  • Entertainment
    Editor: 100%
  • Value
    Editor: 80%
  • Child-Friendly
    Editor: 80%

Review Summary:

Discover who will become mayor of Happy Reef. Will the evil Mr. O become mayor by cheating and allow oil-drilling sharks to ruin the reef? Save Happy Reef level-by-level, correctly place cards in 14 different matrices; sometimes by one category, others by two. Variety of concepts covered. The backstory adds an extra element of entertainment.

Smart Fish: Magic Matrix is a story-driven, extreme match game for kids ages 4 to 7; teaching a variety of concepts.

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Overview

Discover who will become mayor of Happy Reef. Will the evil Mr. O become mayor by cheating and allow oil-drilling sharks to ruin the reef? Save Happy Reef level-by-level, correctly place cards in 14 different matrices; sometimes by one category, others by two. Variety of concepts covered. The backstory adds an extra element of entertainment.

Features include:

  • In-app tutorial
  • Multiple learning objectives
  • Story driven by completion of levels

 Quality

The Happy Reef is a bright and colorful place to play. Designed for kids 4-7 years old the interface is simple and the atmosphere is positive. Many high quality design elements come together nicely to make this a pleasure to play.

Tips on ways to extend the learning benefits of the app are available to parents and educators in the menu for parents.

Education

This app addresses a number of learning objectives; such as learning to work with columns and rows in tables or matrices, colors, shapes, categorizing or group objects that have similar traits, simple addition and more.

One level must be completed before moving onto the next; fourteen challenging levels in all. Any unlocked level can be played multiple times with cards being different each time.

From within the app it is easy for a parent to see which levels have been completed. If detailed progress tracking and multiple user profiles are desired, the app is integrated with YogiPlay.

An in-app tutorial is included, as are instructions provided by one of the adorable characters. The entire learning atmosphere is a positive one. Feedback is given whether a card is placed correctly or not. If a child places a card incorrectly, they are led gently to the correct answer by leading questions.

Entertainment

This app could be described as an advanced match game for kids. While targeted for those in the 4-7 age group, others will enjoy the challenge of matching the correct card to the correct category or categories. A brief activity is included between levels; rewarding for the kids as they help Wombi recover from the evil spell cast by Mr. O, an evil octopus.

The story advances with the completion of each level. It adds an extra element of entertainment. My family enjoyed playing this together. Kids will probably not recognize the educational objectives thanks to the design of the app. It has more of a game atmosphere, without having to be concerned with shooting, flinging or racing skills.

Play in a stress-free environment, levels are not timed; the only stress is completing the levels to discover the outcome of the story!

Value

Smart Fish: Magic Matrix provides an excellent educational value with a good amount of entertainment. Unlocked levels can be repeated which extends the life of the app.

Child Friendly

The app interface is simple and intuitive for kids. They will quickly grasp how to play the app. If YogiPlay integration is being used, an internet and YogiPlay connection will need to be established.

A protected parents menu contains social media and external links; however, a link with a gift box icon on the main page may attract your child’s attention. Ideally, this link and the YogiPlay login would be located within the protected menu. The app does not contain in-app purchases or ads.

Discover who will become mayor of Happy Reef. Will the evil Mr. O become mayor by cheating and allow oil-drilling sharks to ruin the reef? Save Happy Reef level-by-level, correctly place cards in 14 different matrices; sometimes by one category, others by two. Variety of concepts covered. The backstory adds an extra element of entertainment.

Editor rating
Rated 4.5 stars