Review:- Fibble – Flick ‘n’ Roll
Game: Fibble – Flick ‘n’ Roll
Format: iOS (4.3 or later)
Developer: Crytek GmbH
Publisher: Apple Inc.
When one is forced to “play away” (NOTE: I use this strictly in a gaming sense!) one can often find games which are either broken, lacklustre, impossible or simply boring, which is often attributed to the platform limitations of the mobile form factor.
The ideal mobile game is thus good looking, intuitive, fun and responsive, it never hurts if it also has a wide base of appeal across ages, genders, abilities and / or wallet sizes too!
Another significant challenge faced by mobile developers (No, not the ones who design toys to hang above babies’ cots, the cellular lot…) is pitching their game at the right market, be this by imagery or by product name. Fibble – Flick ‘n’ Roll addresses all these concerns with the aplomb one would expect from the studio that bought you Crysis no less!
Now, don’t get me wrong! Fibble & Jake “Nomad” Dunn couldn’t have less in common, but knowing that the former hails from the makers of the latter certainly improves ones expectations considerably!
Whilst Fibble is very clearly a “family” type game it is certainly not resting on its appealingly bright and sunny style, the heart of this entertainer is a well-honed physics inspired puzzler. With a mix of momentum (think pinball) and timed quick clicks, the game requires perhaps a surprising level of thought & finesse, which is certainly no bad thing!
Visually Fibble is a beautifully vibrant game
As one might expect early levels are a pedestrian affair, but you are swept along swiftly and difficulty increases as you go. Requiring increasingly complex interactions to navigate the levels, whilst also collecting all coins & stars, and doing so with the least “flicks” and in the shortest time (ALL of which contribute to your final score) the game does not expect you to simply randomly click stuff, it requires some careful thought, followed by some well timed intervention(s).
This required mixture of careful planning and a very handy “retry” option allow you to progress smoothly through even seemingly impossible levels.
Equipped with a number of neat touches around gameplay, level design and supporting material (proper cut scenes anyone?) Fibble – Flick “n” Roll really is an enjoyable experience, particularly when taken as a whole. Yes, you can bang through the levels swiftly, but can you achieve a “Gold” rating in each one?
So a mix of challenge levels and a superbly realised visual style deliver as slick an experience as you could want, with enough cute for little sis, but also enough challenge for dad. Excellent family friendly stuff.
Review Round-Up
Graphics: 4/5 - Superb, by anyone’s mobile standards.
Sound: 3/5 - Hits the spot. Fun, cheerful and pleasant.
Gameplay: 3.5/5 - Keeps you interested by adding challenge, but remains easy to pickup & play.
Longevity: 3/5 - Whilst its fun to play through casually, unlikely to keep you hooked forever, but then what mobile game is?
Overall: 3.5 out of 5
The first mobile game ever from the legendary Crytek deserves a look if simply for that “I was there when” moment, but the game is much more than that… we say give it a go, especially if you share you iOS device with any nearest & dearest!
- Richard “Rax” Burley
You nailed it on the second paragraph. }
