It seems we have, as a society, completely lost the plot in regards to what makes a good mobile game. There was once a time, not too long ago, when respected people throughout the gaming industry were genuinely convinced that the ascendant Goliath of mobile gaming would put everyone out of business. In the decade or so since these proclamations, the furthest innovation the scene has gotten seems to be jiggling AI generated anime women beckoning you to play War of Clash: Clicker Origins.

It turns out the perfect mobile game was made over a decade ago. It's called Angry Birds. But Flow Free definitely fills out the rest of the elite roster. It's a commute game through and through - sitting down with it for more than 40 minutes would bore you to tears. But any less and you will certainly enter a flow state (sorry) that has had me seeing pipes for hours after I've put my phone down.

All you need is a simple core gameplay loop (connect dots with pipes), add twists on the formula (bridges, walls), and create harder levels (larger grid). Plus have enough stages to occupy months of transit, and you've got a extremely competent puzzle game.

Reviewed on Jan 16, 2024


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