Author
Cody Sharp
Price: Free
Publisher: Backflip Studios
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It is that time again! Time for another guaranteed great game that also happens to be free. We call those games, Fantastic Freebies. We don’t waste your time with a full review; instead we guarantee they are great! Just read the quick synopsis below and fire up the App Store, it is time to have some fun with this week’s Fantastic Freebie!
Strike Knight is a video game version of an old school (probably 80’s) bar game. You know the one, it looks like a bowling alley but you use a shuffleboard puck to hit the pins. And, instead of the pins flying everywhere they just flip up in to the game. Still doesn’t ring a bell? Well take a look at the pictures I’m sure you will recognize it.
We have reviewed a few bowling games recently but I would feel uncomfortable comparing Strike Knight to a pure bowling game. First of all the score is not out of 300 it’s out of 9600, you use a puck not a ball, and it’s a arcade game, not a sport.
The scoring is video game based. To get a maximum score you must time your shot when the flashing numbers are 800/500. The 800/500 means that if you get a strike then you get 800 points if you spare you get 500.
If you leave a frame open then you only get the amount of pins you knocked down. The flashing numbers start at 300/100 and go up to 800/500 then fall back down to 300/100 so timing is a big part of the game if you are going for a high score.
The graphics are very good for an iPhone game; very clear and well made. The gameplay takes place in a bar so it looks like you are really playing an arcade game at the local watering hole. There are bar stools in the background and a dartboard hanging on the wall. The sound effects are great. You not only hear the video game sound effects like pins crashing and the “Strike Knight” telling you good job, but you also get the background ambience of a bar. As you are playing you can hear bar patrons chatting in the background and even cheering you along. The sounds are very cool.
The controls are very similar to bowling games, where you must tap the ball/puck and then flick or slide your finger towards the pins.
Something that I really like about Strike Knight is for your second shot if the puck bounces back far enough you have to reach for it, it does not reset to the middle of the screen. I thought that was very life like and a great addition to the game.
Overall, this is a very fun game. It is a simple concept but challenging enough to keep you playing. Another aspect to the game to keep you playing is that as you improve, score high games, and close out difficult shots (splits) you will earn achievement. There is also a great multiplayer mode where you can play and pass to the next player. This is a good game and certainly is worth the title, Fantastic Freebie.