Truth in Tap: I played 3 sort games so you don’t have to—here’s the best and worst

Let’s talk about those oddly satisfying mobile game ads that promise to scratch your brain just right. You know the ones: color-coded chaos, smooth drag-and-drop movements, ASMR-like sound effects. They whisper “Just one level”—and next thing you know, it’s 2 a.m. and you’re wondering if purple screws go with lime green bolts.

So, I downloaded three of the most hyped sort games I’ve seen spammed across my feed: Cake Sort, Water Sort, and Hexa Sort. All three promise dopamine in a tap. But only one actually delivered. Here’s how it all stacked up—pun intended.

Cake Sort

Cute visuals, cake-layer chaos, and a gameplay loop that starts sweet but turns real bitter. You sort colorful cake layers into neat towers, and at first, it’s pretty relaxing. But then the levels get messier, and the game starts pushing for “buy more moves” moments that feel more scammy than strategic.

Ad situation: Super aggressive. Sometimes you get ads even when you win.

Verdict: Deceptively cute, deeply chaotic. Tastes sweet until it doesn’t.

Water Sort

This one has that clean aesthetic—calming colors, satisfying pour sounds, and a smooth interface. The gameplay is simple: pour matching water colors into test tubes until they’re grouped. It’s meditative, especially in the beginning. But once you get the hang of it, it stops evolving and starts feeling repetitive.

Ad situation: Milder than the others. Optional ads for hints.

Verdict: Low-stress, low-excitement. The vanilla latte of sort games.

Hexa Sort

This one surprised me. It’s bold, bright, and a little more thinky. You’re sorting colorful hexagons into their proper homes, and it actually feels like a mini puzzle. The gameplay has enough challenge to keep you hooked, but not so much that it frustrates you.

Ad situation: Middle ground. Some forced ads, but they at least reward you for watching.

Verdict: Brainy and bold. It feels more like an actual game than the others.

Final ranking:

1. Hexa Sort – Strategic, satisfying, and fun.

2. Water Sort – Chill background game.

3. Cake Sort – Cute but manipulative. Deleted without regrets.

Sort games look like self-care, but they can quickly become digital clutter. Not all of them are worth your time. Some soothe. Some stress. And some lie to your face in a pastel palette. But hey, now you know which ones to tap — and which ones to skip.

That’s it for this sort showdown—my brain’s organized, my apps aren’t. If you’ve played any of these, drop your thoughts. If not… maybe now you know what not to download next.