Review: iFlexis (iPhone)
iFlexis is an interesting take on the falling-block genre. The multi-colored blocks fall from the top in various Tetris-like combinations and it’s up to you to guide the pieces with your finger to connect three or more of the same color to make them disappear. It sounds easier and more fun than it is.
First of all, the controls are very touchy. The help screen says “iFlexis is an advanced puzzle game with wacky dynamics” but I think they meant “wonky physics”. The pieces either moved too much or too little for me and rotating them was a real pain to get precise placements. It doesn’t help that the blocks appear to be made of weightless rubber because the blocks that you aren’t controlling would bounce all over the field with the slightest nudge. Also the blocks are glued together in their original combination until you’re able to break it by clearing a keystone piece, so you’re never really sure if that blue block at the bottom is by itself or still stuck to its neighboring pieces, making it impossible to use.
Confused? Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter because the game essentially plays itself.
There are three modes included in the game: Mission, Classic, and Marathon. Only Mission mode is available in the beginning and you must complete it to unlock Classic and Marathon. Mission mode is comprised of at least 45 levels (I don’t know how many because that’s as far as I could get) and seems to cycle through a few level types. They start out basic and easy. The blocks fall and you clear them. You earn the requisite points or outlast the survival time and you move on. Soon the game field introduces moving pieces and you’ll notice that these can destroy the blocks giving you points. I lost count of how many levels on which I didn’t have to do anything and still completed. It was rather underwhelming.
Level 40 gave me my first real problem and after many attempts, I finally passed it. Levels 41 – 44 I didn’t have to do anything to pass. Then level 45 put a stop to my progress and I’m done trying. It’s sad too because I’ll never unlock the Classic or Marathon modes and I have a feeling that that’s where the game would get fun, when it’s just you against the game without all the gimmicks and variables of Mission mode.
I really feel the developers put too much stock into the Mission mode for iFlexis to find its place in the casual market. The game mechanics are interesting enough to deserve a look, but the enjoyment is tempered by the unnecessary requirement to struggle through the difficult Mission mode before you’re allowed to even try the others. Be prepared for equal parts of frustration, annoyance, and satisfaction with iFlexis. If Classic and Marathon modes were always accessible, I really believe the satisfaction quotient would rise.
iFlexis is available on iTunes for the iPhone/iPad and the iPod Touch.
