Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: the original Crayon Physics Deluxe from 2009 was a beloved indie gem that won the Independent Games Festival Grand Prize. This 2023 Android version? It's a knockoff by a different developer, and while the core concept is still solid—draw stuff, watch physics happen—you're not getting the polished original experience.

The gameplay itself is genuinely good for kids. Drawing solutions encourages creative thinking, the physics are intuitive enough to build real understanding, and Common Sense Media's age 8+ recommendation feels right. Early puzzles work for younger kids with help; later ones will challenge even adults.

The problem is the unknown monetization. 'Free to play' on Android usually means ads, possibly aggressive ones, and this developer (Frenetic Gamez) doesn't have the track record of the original creator. If you want the real deal, hunt down the original 2009 version on PC or the official mobile ports—they're worth the few bucks. If you're stuck with this free version, it'll still work as a decent brain-teaser, but keep an eye on those ads.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12 who enjoy puzzle games and have patience for trial-and-error. The crayon aesthetic skews young, but the later difficulty spikes make this genuinely challenging even for tweens. Teens and adults will likely find it too simplistic unless they're indie game completionists.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Pure puzzle gameplay with no violence, conflict, or negative content. The hand-drawn crayon aesthetic creates a calm, creative atmosphere. Common Sense Media confirms 'no objectionable content.' Pacing is player-controlled and non-chaotic.

Imaginative

88

The core mechanic—drawing shapes that become physical objects—directly encourages creative problem-solving. Players must imagine solutions and sketch them into existence. Multiple solutions exist for most puzzles, rewarding experimentation and lateral thinking. Physics sandbox elements invite playful exploration beyond just completing levels.

Safe

75

No inappropriate content whatsoever. However, this 2023 Android version appears to be a clone/knockoff of the award-winning 2009 indie game by Petri Purho, published by a different developer (Frenetic Gamez). The original was ad-free premium; this version's monetization is unclear but likely includes ads given the 'Free to play' descriptor and kids mode flag. Lack of transparency about the developer and potential for intrusive ads lowers the safety score.

Enriching

80

Solid physics-based brain training that builds spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and basic physics intuition (gravity, momentum, leverage). Common Sense Media notes puzzles go from 'easy to extremely difficult,' providing genuine cognitive challenge. However, as their education review states, 'physics concepts not explicit' and there's 'not much help for stuck students'—so it's more puzzle entertainment than structured learning.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The drawing-things-into-existence mechanic is genuinely clever and invites creative problem-solving
Difficulty scales nicely from simple early levels to genuinely challenging later puzzles that require real spatial thinking
No violence, no timers, no stress—just you, a crayon, and physics
Builds intuitive understanding of gravity, momentum, and leverage through play
Common Sense Media confirms zero objectionable content for worried parents

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a 2023 Android clone, not the award-winning 2009 original—quality and monetization may differ significantly
Likely ad-supported (the original was premium), so expect interruptions and potential kid-targeted ads
Later levels get legitimately hard; younger kids (under 8) will need help or may get frustrated
No hints or guidance when stuck—you're on your own to figure it out

Conversation Starters

"What was the trickiest puzzle you solved today? Can you show me how you did it?"
"If you could draw anything into the real world like in this game, what would you make?"
"Why do you think the ball rolls down your ramp? What happens if you make it steeper?"
"Did you find more than one way to solve that level? Which way was more fun?"

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