2048 for iOS

2048 is a puzzle game with basic mechanics but an extremely challenging goal that will keep you coming back for more, over and over again. Swipe two tiles with the same number on them to combine them, and make sure to keep some open spaces on the board, so you can keep playing as you strive to achieve creation of the 2048 tile.

Pros

Game Center integration: Through Game Center, you can see how you measure up against your friends or players from all over the world. You can also view the various possible achievements in the game, and see which ones you've yet to attain, which provides more motivation to keep playing.

Fresh and interesting: We've never encountered a game quite like this, which makes it a welcome change from all of the apps out there that just provide a new face for a common theme. The interface and mechanics of this game are deceptively easy, as all you have to do is slide numbered tiles around on a 4x4 grid and combine them to make tiles with larger numbers. But there's a lot more strategy and finesse required than is immediately obvious.

Cons

No help: The game doesn't really come with any type of Help file, so you'll just have to poke around a bit to become familiar with the game. Some users might prefer a bit more of an explanation upfront, but you're sure to get the hang of it quickly, no matter your skill or experience level with this type of game.

Bottom Line

If you're looking for a new kind of puzzle game, 2048 is a great one to try. A single game takes relatively little time, so you can play it when you just have a short break, or stick with it for an extended session to see if you can beat your best score. It's also free, and there are minimal ads.