Item: Rules!
Rating: 93
Author: Dinsun

Our Expert Score

93/100

Rules! is a brilliant memory-based puzzle game that is far more difficult than its cute, colorful art style suggests. The premise is simple: you follow a set of rules to clear a grid of tiles. Rule 1 might be 'tap tiles in descending order.' But then Rule 2 adds 'tap green tiles first.' The catch is that you have to remember every previous rule and apply them in reverse order. It’s a mental workout that quickly becomes a high-speed test of cognitive endurance.

The game is perfectly paced for mobile. Rounds are short, making it ideal for a quick brain-teaser, but the urge to beat your high score makes it hard to stop. The 'Whiz' mode is particularly punishing, giving you almost no time to think. It’s a unique concept that feels fresh every time you play, thanks to the randomized rules. If you enjoy games that challenge your memory and reaction time in equal measure, Rules! is an essential download.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

The Game

Available on: Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, iPod

840811083

$2.99 4+★4.2 67 reviews

Author : 137b

Pubish Date : Tue Jul 22 2014

Last Update Date : Fri Mar 29 2024

Support Languages : English, French, German, Spanish

Genres :

Version 5.0Fri Mar 29 2024

Change Log:
• Playful mode
• Haptic feedback
• Improved support for newer devices and os versions
• Improved Watch app and complications
• Cleaned up and shrunk app, assets, settings
• Bug fixes
• sharing results would at times generate wonky images
• night time did not always show up for everyone at the same time
• some of the links were not quite going where they where expected to go
• the chameleons were just a tiny bit too eager to start
• some letters where added and some where removed to make better words and sentences
• words where not always in the right language
• sometimes not everything that was visible should have been
• supports iOS 15.2 and up
• supports watchOS 8.3 and up
• Includes a daily brain workout mini-game for Apple Watch
• Includes animated sticker pack
• App Store – Best Apple Watch Game of 2015
• App Store – Best of 2014
• German Developer Award 2014 – Best mobile Game
• German Video Game Award 2015 – Best mobile Game
• Pocket Gamer Awards 2015 Finalist Best Casual/Puzzle Game & Most Innovative Game
RULES! is a cute puzzle game that's challenging, fast-paced and fun.
• Choose your preferred type of game: Beginner, Expert or Timeless •
“What’s presented here is a stylish, original, clever puzzle game that I’m having trouble putting down long enough to write this review.” ~ Gamezebo
“A delightfully constructed memory test that grows in complexity and appeal the deeper in you go.” ~ Pocket Gamer
“The Coding Monkeys have never released anything that wasn’t utterly brilliant, therefore Rules shall almost certainly be brilliant.” ~ Pocket Tactics
Follow RULES! into a hundred level-deep maze of cuteness and order:
• Multi-touch interface at its finest
• Color perception assistance mode
• Whales, Unicorns, Robots and Squirrels!
• A plethora of surprising new game mechanics
Requires iOS 15.2 and watchOS 8.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
• Includes a daily brain workout mini-game for Apple Watch
• Includes animated sticker pack
• App Store – Best Apple Watch Game of 2015
• App Store – Best of 2014
• German Developer Award 2014 – Best mobile Game
• German Video Game Award 2015 – Best mobile Game
• Pocket Gamer Awards 2015 Finalist Best Casual/Puzzle Game & Most Innovative Game
RULES! is a cute puzzle game that's challenging, fast-paced and fun.
• Choose your preferred type of game: Beginner, Expert or Timeless •
“What’s presented here is a stylish, original, clever puzzle game that I’m having trouble putting down long enough to write this review.” ~ Gamezebo
“A delightfully constructed memory test that grows in complexity and appeal the deeper in you go.” ~ Pocket Gamer
“The Coding Monkeys have never released anything that wasn’t utterly brilliant, therefore Rules shall almost certainly be brilliant.” ~ Pocket Tactics
Follow RULES! into a hundred level-deep maze of cuteness and order:
• Multi-touch interface at its finest
• Color perception assistance mode
• Whales, Unicorns, Robots and Squirrels!
• A plethora of surprising new game mechanics

Ratings & Reviews

4.2 out of 5 with 67 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Rules! is a cute, fast-paced puzzle game that will challenge your brain. Follow an ever-growing list of rules to clear tiles across 100 levels. The twist? Each new level adds a rule, and you must apply all previous rules in reverse order to succeed. With beautiful animations and multiple game modes, it's a test of memory and speed.

Features

100 levels of memory-challenging puzzles

Daily brain workout challenges

Whiz mode for advanced players

Stickers for iMessage (on supported devices)

Sync progress via iCloud

Tips

The Reverse Rule Trick

When a new rule is introduced, take a split second to memorize its icon. Remember that you apply the newest rule first, then count backwards through the previous ones.

Promotion Videos

Code Monkey Channel Trailer - YouTube

News on this game

Make time to play these ‘must-have’ video games for your Apple Watch

Despite its teeny screen, the Apple Watch Series 4 can deliver video games that serve as digital diversions when you have some minutes to...

USA Today - Sat Jun 29 2019

Mobile games review – Godus, Rules!

A God game with a few glitches and a memory tester that loads rule upon rule feature in our roundup of mobile releases

The Guardian - Mon Sep 29 2014

9 Best Apple Watch Games

If you're on the go and want a little gaming action, these Apple Watch titles are well worth looking at.

TheGamer - Wed Mar 29 2023

The promise—and massive challenge—of making games for the Apple Watch

These developers see the Apple Watch as a potentially vibrant new market for gaming, perhaps as revolutionary and unique as the iPhone was when it came out.

Ars Technica - Fri May 29 2015