Review: EpicWin - Taking Out The Trash +150
by Staff Writer
August 23, 2010
Overview
We all have chores and various tasks to complete during the day, but what if you could be rewarded for them? That's the idea behind EpicWin which is a to-do list app with experience points and RPG elements for completed tasks. Simply pick your avatar then add your tasks, assign a point value to them and just come back once they're complete.
Features
As you complete your tasks your earn experience points to level up your character and collect loot. There are five categories for your tasks including strength, stamina, and intellect which all contribute to your varied skill set. There are three avatars to choose from, and two additional as in-app purchases though the avatars have no unique qualities expect looks.
The Good
EpicWin is simple to use, and a potential new way for some to complete more chores. The incentive system used isn't for everyone, but those that connect with it may do more tasks than without the app. Filling experience bars is a fun task for some, and it's nice for a little fun to be intertwined into chores which are usually lacking in the fun department.
It's neat to see your real everyday tasks actually earn you some loot, and not just virtual tasks like in video games. There's no to-do app like it, where taking out the trash, finishing your homework, and doing the laundry actually give you something back. There are actual plateaus to reach which can always be seen, as well as your entire collection of earnings.
The app provides a simple interface where you simply add the task, and tap and hold to mark it as complete. There aren't various work boxes, multiple syncing options between devices, or any convoluted measures. The app isn't for everyone, but may be geared more towards novice to-do list users.
EpicWin is not only streamlined in features, but also in design. The app has a very nicely designed user interface, and is highly polished. The app is quite engaging for a to-do list, and you can't discount the degree of humor packed in.
The Bad
The app is a nice to-do app to try to get some people to complete the chores with a virtual reward, and a set up similar to video games. The problem is that there is no reminder system, like push notifications, so you actually have to go back into the app. Even the badges work intermittently to make it that much more of a feeling of out of sight, out of mind.
The app offers a relatively simplistic interface for adding tasks as it's just one big long list with only the current date, and everything else overdue. You can't add tasks in the future, and there is no calendar syncing support so the app is completely on its own. Another problem is that the point system is up to you on the scale from 50-300 rather than the app determining the value of the task, so you can list everything as 300.
EpicWin is really for a small segment of users as it's more of a novelty than a practical app. Everything you earn is virtual just like a video game, but the reward feels even less as each reward is just a picture and description. At least in video games you can use the things you earn in some kind of fashion.
It would be great to see your avatar actually using some of the loot, or actually showing some way that it has been leveled up. The app is just smaller and simpler in scope, so don't expect too much of it. If this is a way you can complete chores more power to you and the app.
The Verdict
EpicWin isn't an app for everyone, but anyone intrigued by the idea will get some use out of it. The app is nicely designed in every regard, and offers a simple streamlined interface by sacrificing some features. There isn't a reminder, syncing, or calendar system, but it does give you an easy look at the most pressing task of your day.
EpicWin isn't the best to-do app in the App Store, but it can get some people to actually like to do lists. For $2.99 the app is worth considering depending on if you like the idea of experience bars and earning virtual loot for your everyday tasks. Also it may be just the jump start some people need.
