GAME REVIEW: ‘Frozen Free Fall’ is fun, but may bring winter chill on your heart

One of the unwritten laws of the universe is that video game movie tie-ins must generally suck—“Superman Returns” did, as did the many of the Iron Man games based on the Robert Downey Jr. flicks.

“Frozen Free Fall,” an application inspired by one of the most delightful animated films since “The Lion King,” manages to dodge this cosmic bullet by virtue of it being simply fun and addictive. But tone down those expectations; Disney’s “Frozen” may have been a whirlwind of adventure, unforgettable characters, and a soundtrack that will most likely stick in your head until the onset of the next ice age, but the gameplay has as little to do with the film as a talking snowman has with summer.
 
Snazzy crystal-shattering mayhem
 
Let’s get the giant killer marshmallow out of the room; “Frozen Free Fall” is another “Match 3” game, like fellow clones Bejeweled and Candy Crush. But while the core gameplay is basically the same, there is something about those beautiful, colorful crystals and the satisfying crunch of shattering ice that make “Frozen Free Fall” several degrees more palatable than similar titles.
 

Like all Match 3 games, the objective of “Frozen Free Fall” is simple: slide ice crystals to create horizontal or vertical matches of three or more crystals of the same color. Doing so destroys those crystals, earning you points. Matching four transforms one of the crystals into a powerful “wind chill” charm that can wipe out an entire column or row. Matching five creates a “glacier” charm that, when combined with a crystal, kicks the frostbitten ass of all same-colored crystals currently on the screen.
 
Other powers include the “iceberg,” which smashes all eight crystals immediately surrounding the charm. Charms can also be combined for great, blizzard-y destruction.
 
Ice picks, snow balls, and Elsa’s hips
 
You fail a level and lose a life if, after an allotted amount of turns or time, you are unable to reach a score quota or meet specific objectives. You can have a maximum of five lives, but each lost life takes around half an hour to regenerate. No instantaneous Disney-style resurrections courtesy of true love’s kiss here; dying entails a lot of waiting before you can get your game on again, so it’s a little more like Sleeping Beauty and a little less like Snow White.
 
Fortunately, special items are available that can help turn the tide. The ice pick can break a single crystal of choice. The snowball increases the number of turns.
 
Then you have the characters. Every level has one of the film’s major players tagging along with you, such as Anna, whose torch can melt eight connecting crystals; Hans, whose sword swipes can ravage rows of ice; and of course the hip-tastic Snow Queen herself, the impossibly gorgeous Elsa. Hers is the power of the glacier charm.
 
You unlock more characters and abilities as the game progresses.
 

The kicker here is that each item or character ability has a limited number of uses. Once they’re out, you’re going to have to dig into your bank account for further supplies. And this is where the game can get ridiculously expensive.
 
The cold won’t bother you, but the sheer difficulty will
 
“Frozen Free Fall” was designed to be deceptively easy at first, gradually luring you into its cold, frigid heart, one level at a time. Once it sinks its hooks into you—and they will sink deep, my friend—it will be too late; the mission objectives have already become unforgivably difficult, close to impossible.

One level had me stuck for literally days. DAYS.

It was so hard that, for the first time in forever, I actually wanted to punch my iPad in its annoyingly shiny, smug face. So learn from Anna and Elsa’s parents: when it comes to frustrations brought about by this game, conceal, don’t feel—lest the temptation to spend your hard-earned moolah on fake stuff becomes too strong, and you end up with a significantly lighter wallet.
 
Also, unlike other Match 3 games, “Frozen Free Fall” is not (or at least not yet) a social game. Do you want to build a snowman? Well, too bad, you’ll have to do it yourself; in this game, you’re all alone and free in the cold winter chill. Though this means no one will bother you with incessant requests, it also means none of your friends can help you when the game gets too tough.
 
Pretty to look at, but a slight bore to the ears
 
The game enjoys the trappings of Disney’s incredible, visually stunning film, but in lower resolution. So yes, it does look good. Anna, Elsa, and all the other characters appear in 3D, staring at you with their big round eyes, cheering you on when you’re doing well, shaking their heads or looking away as if embarrassed by your ineptitude when you fail.
 
One of the film’s highlights is its phenomenal soundtrack, with songs that not even a seventeen-hour marathon of Skrillex or Slayer at full blast can get out of your head. It is therefore a great pity the game doesn’t make use of any of the film’s wonderful tunes; the in-game score has a sufficiently magical feel to it, but ultimately becomes rather dull and repetitive.

 
Hopefully a game that will bring elation, not gassiness
 
This game has an astounding number of levels, spread over a map of Arendelle and the neighboring snow-covered areas. This, combined with its difficulty, will ensure “Frozen Free Fall” will provide you weeks, if not months, of play.

Though an entertaining Match 3 puzzler in its own right, it is also an immensely frustrating one. This game really, really wants your money, so if you’re the type to give in to temptations easily, avoid it. Turn away and slam the door, let it go. Otherwise, let the storm rage on… because busting ice crystals has never been so gratifying.
 
“Frozen Free Fall” is available for free download on iOS and Android devices. — VC, GMA News