Flick Champions Review – Sports games don’t get more basic than this

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On November 1, 2011

App Type: Uncategorized

Flick Champions Review – Sports games don’t get more basic than this

Our rating:

By: Chillingo

Version #: 1.0

Date Released: 2011-09-15

Developer: Chillingo

Price: 0.99

User Rating:
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A pack of 8 sports games for the iPhone, all of which are purely flick-based, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s 8 games in one, but on the other, these game multipacks often sacrifice quality for quantity. Flick Champions probably fits into the latter category, but there is nevertheless some simple fun to be had with some of the games on offer.

You start off by having access to only 4 of the 8 sports on offer (Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Hockey), with Bowling, Archery, Baseball and American Football becoming available as you gain XP. True to its name, all the sports in Flick Champions involve simple flicks of your fingers. This works well in some cases, with the Soccer and Hockey games having a naff kind of appeal, but with others, such as Basketball and Bowling, this gameplay falls flat.

These games are basic bird’s-eye-view affairs, and in terms of rules and gameplay are more akin to table-top games than the actual sports; Tennis is basically Pong, Soccer is a bit like Subbuteo, and the Hockey game resembles Air Hockey. Nevertheless, most of the games are very playable, and a wealth of unlockables and achievements actually make the game quite addictive.

Champions features single-screen multiplayer support, which is a logistical nightmare in most of the games. One case in which it does work well is the Soccer, which is effectively turn-based, and the option to set up a tournament for up to 16 players makes for some potentially fun times. That being said, the lack of online multiplayer support curbs this game’s competitive edge quite badly.

Champions has a surprisingly elaborate, Crystal-supported online system, in which you can compare yourself against players globally, nationally or locally in each of the individual games. The game keeps track of your win-lose record and how many tournaments you’ve won, allowing you to build up an elaborate little portfolio for yourself.

This budget games pack is certainly quantity over quality, but, in their own crap ways, some of the games are actually quite charming. Besides, crappy game or not, scoring a well-planned goal from inside your own half in a football match is always satisfying. This, combined with a good variety of unlockables and achievements means this game may keep you casually hooked for a while.

Quick Take

Value:High.

Would I Buy Again:Yes.

Learning Curve:Low - true to it's name, it's all about the flicks.

Who Is It For:People who find pleasure in the most basic of games.

What I Like:Variety of unlockables and elaborate online leaderboards.

What I Don't Like:Basketball and Bowling are awful. No online multiplayer.

Final Statement:A simple but playable pack featuring the most simplified possible versions of your favourite sports.

Read the Developer's Notes:
Are you the next Roger Federer, Ronaldo or Michael Jordan? Put your sporting skills to the test with Flick Champions. Choose your nation, take part in eight different sports and become the ultimate sporting god. Play in one-off exhibition matches or take on a tournament challenge to get to the top. Got a friend that thinks they are a better player? Play one-on-one or in a 16 player tournament and find out who the most valuable player really is!

Flick Champions Highlights
• 8 different sports to play, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Tennis, Bowling, Archery, American Football and Golf.
• 16 player local tournaments mean you can show your friends you’re A-game.
• 24 Cups to participate in, will you be crowned champion of them all?
• Intuitive controls mean everyone can join in the fun.
• Computer controlled opponents come in three different difficulty settings so you can really put your skills to the test.
• Gorgeous Retina display graphics bring the games to life.
• Tons of content to unlock.
• Leaderboards and achievements so you can see how you rank across the world.

For more information or support, please visit www.chillingo.com

Article By

I'm an up-and-coming freelance writer (or so I like to think) specialising in film, apps and gaming. Aside from writing app reviews on what sometimes feels like a mass scale, I've also contributed work to The Independent and IGN.com, and am on the writing team of the popular Lifestyle blog, WhatCulture.com. Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter @Rob_Zed and get in touch!

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