For more on Chime, check out our full Chime review. Or, for more of the best Xbox 360 games for a 7 year old, why not try our Family Game Finder
Chime is a downloadable, music themed puzzle game that offers a fresh take on the block arranging magic of Tetris. The twist here is that instead of having blocks falling from the top of the screen, in Chime you're able to move them around freely - and rather than having to create lines, you only have to make 3 x 3 squares, oddly known as "Quads". The challenge is that the shapes you're handed don't exactly tessellate all that well - and the stage itself will be shaped to make things as tricky as possible, too.
While you're busy swivelling the pieces around and trying to slot them together, a "beat line" will be slowly making its way across the grid, erasing any Quads you've made as it goes. When it does so, it'll colour the grid in where your Quad used to be. Starting off with only a very minimalistic tune playing on in the background, the idea here is to colour the entire stage in by creating Quads - and the more of the grid you cover, the more layers will be added to the track, as it eventually crescendos into the full tune.
It's a simple enough concept to get the hang of, but one that works incredibly well, and young fans of Tetris, or the similar music-puzzler Lumines will quickly get to grips with things here. As everything takes place at a fairly relaxed pace (you don't have a time limit in which to place your pieces), you're under very little pressure to perform, making it a great place for those new to puzzle games to find their footing. With very little in the way of reading required beyond the menu, this should be suitable for all but the very youngest of children.
As a music themed puzzle game, there's nothing for parents to worry about with Chime - there are no suggestive lyrics, and nothing violent, or otherwise questionable what-so-ever.
Age Ratings
Format Reviewed: Xbox 360
