Offering the option to play against a computer AI (which has three skill levels), a local multiplayer game where you both play on the same screen, or an online version where turns are passed through a central server, Dots Master covers the three expected ways of choosing an opponent in a turn-based game.
That's not the only innovation that Dots Master has. The game grids come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You start with the regular square grid, which will result in a 3x3 grid of squares once all the squares have been found, but as you move through the game you'll be offered different shapes to play on - all of which offer a subtle difference in tactics.
The UI during the game is simple as well - to draw a line you touch the gap in-between the two dots, and the app will take care of the rest. Because the grids are a decent size, it's unlikely that your finger will slip and create the wrong line, even on a smaller screened device such as the Lumia 620.
The app has been given a skeumorphic touch, with a background that mimics the squared jotters of your maths classroom at school, with the majority of graphical lines and block colours taking on the appearance of pencilled lines and shading - but this does infuse the game with a certain charm. In the busy environment of the Windows Phone Store, it helps the title stand out.
Dots Master improves the basic 'dots' game, it refreshes the look, and has thought through ways to lift the gameplay above the simple paper version you might remember. It's a strong 'B' title for Windows Phone and the sort of title that gives a developer confidence in the Windows Phone ecosystem.
You can download your copy of Dots Master via the AAWP App Directory.