DropZap, a new puzzler in the style of Drop7, has been released by Amir Michail and is available from the app store. You’ll have to use strategic play, and quick decisions in some cases, if you want to rack up a top score.
DropZap Pros:
- Trendy nightclub visual vibe
- Fun laser effects
- Sheer addictiveness
DropZap Cons:
- No soundtrack (iPod access)
- Lack of global leaderboards or achievement system
- A bit confusing to try to track the chain reactions
DropZap presents the user with a 7 x 7 grid, populated by a smattering of square pieces of different sizes and colors. One by one, you drag and drop squares into a column of your choosing in the grid area. When a square settles into place, all squares in the same row and column as the dropped piece are reduced by one size. Each square goes through a progression of 6 different sizes, changing its color based on its current size. Large squares are purple and the smallest squares are red. When a red square is in the same row/column as a dropped square, it disappears, causing any squares above it to drop down and create chain reactions of reducing squares into oblivion. After each turn, a new line of squares pops up from the bottom of the grid. The game ends when you either fill the grid or squares are raised above the top line.
There are 4 different game modes to enjoy: Standard, Relentless, Action, and Relentless Action. Standard requires you to clear 50 squares to move to the next level, at which point you get a new grid with only a few squares along the bottom. There is no timed element, so you can take your time and think through your options. Relentless is the same as Standard, except that there is only the single level. Action uses levels like Standard mode, but the rows pop up from the bottom every few seconds regardless of whether you move or not, so you don’t have time to plan out your moves. Relentless Action is the same as Action, but it uses only the single level again.
Graphically, the game looks simple yet somewhat stylish. Against the black background, the square colors are very visible, often giving off a trendy nightclub vibe. Affected squares are momentarily overlaid with a line, allowing for high visibility of which squares are being reduced at each step of the chain reaction. Sounds are decent, with fun laser effects for the shrinking lines of squares. There is no soundtrack, though you can play tunes from your own library while playing.
Replay value is fair, due solely to the addictiveness of the game. Unfortunately, without any sort of global leaderboards or achievement system, there isn’t a lot of value in playing over and over again as you have no idea what truly constitutes a great score. Stats are tracked locally, including best scores and times. While we did enjoy our time with the game, we did find it a bit confusing to try to track the chain reactions due to the abstract nature of the colored square system. We actually found the concreteness of Drop7’s number system easier to follow and, frankly, more fun. Originally a free title, DropZap recently increased its price to $0.99, though it’s still a great value. This 4-Dimple game should delight puzzle fans of all ages.
