Fling!

The term casual gaming has become a bit of a dirty phrase for some, as if the ‘casual’ modifier suggests a dumbing down or a lack of care in the game’s preparation.

Casual doesn’t have the same connotation elsewhere. ‘Casual attire’ suggests a comfort, for example. And when a football player is described as having a casual playing style it usually means he plays with a sense of fun or with a relaxed, technically accomplished swagger.

Fuzzy logic

Fling! is most definitely a casual game, and we say that in a very positive sense.

The game’s a conversion of a top selling iPhone game, which instantly tells you you’re in for a bright, accessible experience. The idea is simply to rid each puzzle grid of all but one fuzzy creature, achieved by shunting them into one another.

You’re not allowed to push a fuzzy off on its own, and there must be space in between the fuzzies before you take your snooker-like shot. This means that each level is a finely choreographed affair, requiring you to think at least three moves ahead.

When push comes to shove

Arcade Mode offers a string of ever-tougher levels, each against the clock. Free Play takes away the time limit, letting you tackle each level in a leisurely manner, while Challenge ramps up the urgency by delivering levels in groups of four, all of which need to be completed in a set time.

Despite the three modes, it has to be said that Fling! is a rather simplistic game that won’t keep you interested for as long as you might hope. It’s a game that lives and dies by its central - and indeed only - mechanic.

Fortunately, it’s a good one. The gently taxing push and shove gameplay is well suited to mobile play - instantly fun, easy to play, and with a well judged difficulty curve. A decent example of casual gaming, in other words.