Spark It Up Review

By , on September 7, 2010


Spark It Up
  • Publisher: sumiguchi
  • Genre: Family
  • Released: 28 Aug, 2010
  • Size: 59.2 MB
  • Price: FREE!
Download on the AppStore
3 out of 5

PROS

  • Easy to pick up rhythm-style gameplay.
  • Free to try before you buy harder levels.

CONS

  • Interactive music concept is ambitious and feels incomplete.

VERDICT

Spark It Up is an entertaining attempt and marrying interactive music and rhythm gameplay, but it can swing from easy to challenging in a heartbeat if you lose focus.


  • Full Review
  • App Store Info

In Spark It Up by Sumiguchi you'll take part in a magical fireworks show, setting off each rocket while creating what could only be vaguely described as music in the process.

Each of the game's six currently available levels features a unique sound track that is used in combination with touching the screen to generate musical sound. With each pass of the Lumines-esque bar across the screen you'll need to swipe or tap every rocket on screen to set them off and earn points. If three rockets of the same color are matched in a row you'll earn bonus rockets that can be exploded at the end of the current song-section for extra points. It's a relatively easy title to jump in to and despite the frantic explosions it's never too hard to work out what to do next.

However this game isn't just about making explosions, it's about music as well and unfortunately this is where things get a bit rough. Each track has a basic musical theme and touching the screen will initiate a random selection of tinkling noises that sound like a Yamaha keyboard demo feature, which is neat, but after a short while it just becomes more 'noise' to deal with.

Three tracks are initially available with three more unlockable via an in game store and while the game remains free it's definitely an excellent way to try before you buy. Spark It Up has a strange addictive quality, partly due to its rhythmic nature, so while it's not a perfect rhythm game it's still an interesting one to check out.

Screenshots

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