Flowlines VS

Genre: Numberlink Puzzle

Players: 1-2 Competitive (Local)

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Review:

(Note: This game is included in Party Bundle: Ludomania & Flowlines VS & 2048 Battles, along with 2048 Battles and Ludomania. It is also included in 15 in 1 Family Games Mega Collection along with all of the aforementioned games plus Adrenaline Rush – Miami Drive, Airborne Grannies, Bubble Cats Rescue, Classic Games Collection Vol. 1, Classic Games Collection Vol. 2, Go! Fish Go!, Go Kart Mania, Jet Ski Rush, Klondike Solitaire, Pet Shop Snacks, Pocket Foosball, and Quick Golf.)

Flowlines VS is a puzzle game where players are given a hexagon-filled grid with various colored dots on it, and must connect the dots in such a way that each is paired with another, and so that collectively, the lines cover the entire board. While this may seem simple, it can become complicated when you have to push a dozen lines through the same area and each needs to take up a certain amount of space and allow others to get to where they need to go.

This is a similar formula to the Piczle Lines games, albeit with a few distinct differences. Notably, this game isn’t really about making pictures using the various lines, and the hexagonal grid does make a significant difference. However, it’s the game’s competitive multiplayer component that sets it apart, giving players an opportunity to race one another to solve puzzles.

Unfortunately, this game’s hex grid is a serious issue. In docked mode, using a controller, it’s very easy to draw a line in a slightly wrong direction on accident, and the D-Pad isn’t much use when you can move in six directions and not 4. What’s more, the game penalizes you for making the wrong move, compounding the problem with playing this game.

In handheld mode, you can at least use the touchscreen, but then it’s not quite as convenient to take advantage of the game’s multiplayer options, and the penalty for making mistakes is still frustrating even if you have a bit more direct control.

Honestly, even though Flowlines VS offers a multiplayer that the Piczle Lines games don’t, it’s hard to recommend it when the Piczle games are easier to play and much easier to control. I suppose if you’re wanting more after playing those games, or really want to play that sort of game in multiplayer, you might want to give Flowlines VS a try, but for most I would just say to stick with the Piczle games.

tl;dr – Flowlines VS is a Puzzle game that has you connecting dots of the same color with lines and trying to cover the entire field with them, and unlike the Piczle games, there’s even a multiplayer competitive mode. Unfortunately, the hexagon-based grid makes for problems when making moves, and overall the game just doesn’t work as well as the Piczle games. If you’re looking to try this sort of game, stick with one of those, not this one.

Grade: C-

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