Review · Strategy · iOS
Sixteen The Puzzle
Reviewed: 28 Jun 2026
iOS
LHD Games · 2018
Ludograph rating
Growth (BDS)
38
Risk (RIS)
36
Daily limit
60min
Age guidance
10+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.60 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.03 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.35 | |
Sixteen The Puzzle is a minimalistic puzzle game that can enhance cognitive skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and spatial awareness through its engaging tile-merging mechanics.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.40 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.58 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
The game employs aggressive monetization strategies, including frequent ads that can only be removed via subscription, and offers daily limited-use items (like 'stop timers' and 'wild cards') that provide significant in-game advantages, creating a 'pay-to-win' or 'pay-to-progress' dynamic. The subscription model and daily rewards are designed to pressure players into continuous engagement and spending, potentially leading to excessive screen time and financial pressure.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 0.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.00 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Heads up
- Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $15 – $35/mo.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: concerns noted·GDPR-K — Assessed: concerns noted·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. Likely violations: monetisation that deliberately targets children; frequent spending prompts in a children-rated game.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. Likely violations: profiling or targeting of children for marketing.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.