Perfect Flick is perfectly frustrating
Perfect Flick is a free puzzle game for iOS. This is a puzzle game that is intended for gamers looking for another addictive phone game. Using a simple flick, the game introduces challenging levels that can hook a seasoned gamer or frustrate a novice endlessly. It is currently only available for iOS devices including iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
The game has various levels that a user can access after completion. A user begins with free 20 flicks (turns) and is awarded up to 5 flicks for each level completion. There are in app purchases available - a user can buy 20 flicks for 99 cents, 100 flicks for 2.99, and 500 flicks for 9.99.
Some of the levels are very visually appealing and conceptually fun. However, other levels seem very out of place. For example, the first few levels include flicking a car towards a brick wall without crashing and flicking a coin towards a ledge without allowing them to fall. Then there's level 7, in which the player is instructed to flick some toilet paper so that it reaches "50 centimetres". What? That seems very random - why would anyone flick toilet paper? Why 50 centimeters? This level made me start to lose interest and I felt that this game was a bit of a joke. I don't see players feeling compelled to purchase flicks to complete a level involving flicking toilet paper rolls.
The game describes itself as a game with "precision flicking puzzles." Precision is correct. It is extremely challenging to get through even a few levels with the mere 20 flicks that come with the free app. After the 20 flicks are used, users are encouraged to buy more flicks or completely start over. Other puzzle games (like Angry Bird) usually allow a free user to have more time to familiarize themselves with the game before encountering a "game over" scenario. Losing quickly can be pretty frustrating for the casual player who typically does not buy add-ons within a game.
The challenging aspect of it could help to bring in loyal users who do intend to purchase more flicks to continue playing the game and experience new puzzles. For novice players, this game could prove to be too challenging to pursue beyond playing for a day or two. If there were more flicks included in a free turn it would be much less frustrating. 20 flicks barely gets a brand new user through the first three levels.
Perfect Flick does not have the capacity to be as addictive as other puzzle games on the market currently, but it is still worth a try. It's a fun game that does require some skill and practice and I do see myself playing Perfect Flick again at some point when I am really bored. I don't really have a burning desire to flick toilet paper though.
