Drop The Chicken Review
PROS
- Physics engine allows for free-form solutions.
- Crisp Retina graphics; options to tone things down/save battery life.
- 64 currently available stages; includes 4 bonus stages, Easter eggs and a certificate for completion.
CONS
- Solutions not saved for later editing/tweaking.
- Physics not entirely intuitive; forces feel 'weak' (i.e., wind only affects movement briefly, trampolines have limited bounce capacity, etc.)
VERDICT
Although there are an increasing number of physics puzzlers on the App Store, Drop The Chicken focuses on being a puzzler first and a physics toy second; this makes for interesting solutions that reward players for thinking 'outside the box'.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
Although a balanced diet for a chicken can be quite varied, it's hard for me to imagine the dirt-scratching birds chomping down on a meal of flies. In reality it's not that strange at all, but the problem most chickens face is catching them in the first place. Drop The Chicken by Sharp Creative Agency proposes a somewhat novel, Rube Goldberg inspired solution to help some chickens in supplementing their diet.
The basic setup will be familiar to anyone who has been paying attention to physics based puzzlers in the last few months, with players attempting to coerce a cute character around the screen, avoiding traps while collecting various objects on their way to a final goal. The tools at your disposal include trampolines, basic walls, conveyor-belts and even fans and balloons. Although some solutions can be mundane, the physics engine allows for a lot of creativity in coming to a final design. While there are 'optimal' item placements, the ability to quickly reset the chicken and adjust items with a touch and swipe makes it easy to test out your ideas.
The sharp visuals are designed primarily for Retina displays, however graphics options allow players to tone things down to gain a bit more performance and battery life. Although each new area features a slight change in design, the game relies more on its music to change things up. Despite the repetitive visuals, the complexity of each new puzzle and the joy of conquering it manages to keep you glued to the screen, though reaching 'three-stars' in each level feels a little too easy, reducing the perceived value of reaching a perfect completion. With that said, should you complete the currently available stages (64 in total) you'll earn a certificate that you can print out via the game's website.
Drop The Chicken may wear the guise of the current generation of cute puzzle titles, but its focus on creative solutions to its various challenges adds a brain tickling aspect not present in other titles that rely more on timing or chance. If you prefer your puzzles to be a bit more free-form you'll appreciate this title.
Screenshots
$1.99
