I've been playing the 'Stranger Things 5 Challenges' app for a while now, and it's a pretty fun puzzle game based on the show. The app is basically a collection of brain teasers and mini-games themed around the fifth season of Stranger Things. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store. I'm not sure when it first launched, but it's definitely available now. It has a decent number of installs, which makes sense given the popularity of the series. You don't need to register to start playing, which is nice for a quick download and install. The app itself is free, but like many mobile games, it does have in-app purchases for hints or to skip tricky levels. You'll also see some ads, but they're usually between levels and not too intrusive.

Using the app is straightforward. You just open it and jump into a challenge. The puzzles range from memory games to logic problems, all with that familiar 'Stranger Things' vibe. A good tip is to take your time with the puzzles; some of them can be a bit tricky if you rush. If you get stuck, sometimes closing the app and coming back later helps. The controls are simple taps and swipes, so it's easy to pick up. I mostly play it during my commute or when I have a few minutes to spare.

Compared to other puzzle apps in the same genre, like 'Brain Test' or 'Wordscapes', I chose this one because of the theme. I'm a fan of the show, so solving puzzles in the 'Upside Down' or with characters like Eleven and Hopper is more engaging for me. While those other apps might have a wider variety of puzzles, this app's specific focus on 'Stranger Things' makes it feel more unique. It's not the most complex puzzle app out there, but for a fan looking for a casual, themed experience, it does the job well. The connection to the show is what really sets it apart from the countless other puzzle games you can find on Google Play.

• 🎮 The core feature is its authentic 'Stranger Things' Season 5 theme. Every puzzle and visual is directly tied to the show's locations, characters, and lore, which is a big draw for fans compared to generic puzzle apps.
• 🧩 It offers a good mix of puzzle types. You're not just doing one thing; there are memory challenges, pattern recognition, and logic problems, which keeps the gameplay from getting stale.
• 📱 The app is very lightweight and easy to install. It runs smoothly on most devices after a quick download from Google Play, without the lag or crashes I've sometimes experienced with more bloated games in this genre.
• 🔍 A standout feature is the integrated hint system tied to the show's mythology. Even the help you get feels like part of the 'Stranger Things' world, unlike the straightforward hint buttons in apps like 'Brain Test'.

• 👍 The strongest point is its dedicated theme. For a fan, this app is more immersive than a general puzzle app like 'Quizoid' because everything—from the music to the artwork—feels like the show.
• 👍 It's completely free to download and start playing. You can enjoy a lot of content without paying, which isn't always the case with licensed apps.
• 👍 The puzzle difficulty is well-balanced. It's challenging enough to be interesting but not so hard that you give up immediately, striking a better balance for casual play than some overly difficult puzzle apps.

• 👎 The ad frequency can be a downside. While not excessive, the ads are more noticeable than in some premium puzzle apps you pay for upfront.
• 👎 The content is limited to Season 5 themes. If you're hoping for puzzles from earlier seasons, you might be disappointed compared to a more comprehensive fan app.
• 👎 Some puzzles can feel repetitive after a while. The variety, while good, doesn't match the sheer volume found in massive puzzle libraries like those in 'CodyCross'.