The game Block Blast is taking over the phones of students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. This free and addictive puzzle game offers simple and engaging gameplay: players match colored boxes from the board as many times as possible before running out of moves. Whether competing for a high score or just playing for fun, Block Blast has become the go-to game for students. Family members have introduced the app to their siblings, friends, and classmates, encouraging each other to play, causing it to increase in popularity.

Many students can find themselves playing Block Blast all day without realizing it. They will play the games in the car, on the bus, at home, during class, at lunch, and more. “I am on it pretty much every lunch, and game day, before games. If we’re ever on a bus, it’s free time. So pretty much anytime, every day, multiple times,” senior Brooklyn Riley said.

Students play Block Blast because it is easy to learn and offers a challenge to beat their previous high score. The game is addictive due to the satisfying feeling of clearing the board and/or making perfect moves. It provides a needed break from the stresses of school and sports and is less harmful than endlessly scrolling through social media. “It’s just soothing to the brain. I like putting the box together and just seeing it all line up and just disappear. It’s satisfying,” senior Charlize Vang said.

The most disliked aspects include getting bad blocks when you are approaching a high score, using the revive button, thinking they have been playing the game for only two minutes when it’s actually been an hour or more, accidentally having your finger slip and making the wrong move and dying before hitting a 5,000 as the score. These moments can make the players very mad and frustrated causing them to become so upset they throw their phones. “People using the revive button, to get a higher score. That doesn’t count. That does not count. Makes me mad,” Vang said.

The game is believed to be so popular because it’s an easy game to play and get into, serves as a simple time passer, is a healthier option as opposed to social media, and can be addicting. Block Blast has gained significant popularity at BSM and shows no signs of slowing down. “You look at the clock thinking it’s been two minutes. But it’s been four hours. It’s fun, it’s a break. It’s good for the mind, it challenges you, it’s just overall good for your well-being,” junior Harper Stevenson-Shimek said.