We’ve come such a long way with water depictions in video games. We’re so far past solid, unshaded, stagnant blue as a signifier for water that it’s easy to forget that it’s still pretty cool to see how it looks in today’s games. Liqua Pop, a match-3 game hidden underneath a water collection game from Electronic Arts, does a pretty good job of reminding you of the graphical prowess of water, even if it isn’t all that challenging as a game.
The basic premise of Liqua Pop is that little colored spheres are filling up your screen, but they can be joined together to make bigger blobs that can be popped like a bubble. If you’re daring enough to try and set up multiple bubbles at a time, you’ll even get a score bonus. It’s a simple concept that’s a tad too simple. It takes quite a few levels to even be challenged by an overabundance of the bubbles.
Despite its rather low difficulty, Liqua Pop is fun to play, in large part because visually it’s just so welcoming. Maybe I have an odd appreciation for video water, but the way the bubbles bounce and smoosh into each other looks great, and the game uses a bright color palette that feels like the right mix of shades for the easy-going game.
While more experienced gamers might bristle at the lack of an early challenge, Liqua Pop could find a home with younger gamers who want a puzzle experience that doesn’t overwhelm them with details. Its simplistic, but fun, gameplay and visual appeal make for a solid family-oriented app.
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