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Category: Games
Developer: The Iconfactory
Requirements: iPhone 2.0 software
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod Touch
File Size: 8.0 MB
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Price: $4.99

Frenzic is an app that was made with the iPhone in mind…before the iPhone existed. Frenzic, as you may know, has existed on the Mac for quite a while now, and it has become fairly popular. But a game like this shines on the touchscreen iPhone and iPod touch.

Opening up the application (after the inital setup) shows an intuitive game; you can really just jump right in. Frenzic is a ring of six circles with a “source” circle in the middle. The source circle displays a colored wedge, which you then have a short time to place into one of the six other circles. The object of the game is to clear a circle by filling it with six wedges. Fill it with all the same color and you get extra lives, or “power-ups” like slowing down time, multiplying your point values, or clearing the board if worst comes to worst.

Frenzic’s slogan, “Minutes to Learn, Years to Master,” holds an incredible amount of truth. In concept, it’s an extremely simple game. In practice, I have only gotten above 1,000 points three times. It’s incredibly frustrating, yet I keep going back.

The beautiful, clean interface, easy and simple gameplay, and annoying-in-a-game-way soundtrack pull together to make Frenzic a great companion for public transportation, waiting in line or at an appointment, or just for the sake of playing it. The only sticking point is the $4.99 pricetag. I managed to snag it during a $0.99 sale, and I don’t regret that choice. While it is a great game, it’s up to you to decide if you want to spend $5 on a game you’ll most likely play for just a few hours out of your life.