Flick Bowling

Arguing the sports status of bowling is a tough mantle to take up. Sure, your fingers get sore from heaving those heavy balls around, but it's not exactly a strenuous workout. Let's face it, you exert about the same amount of energy flicking your touchscreen as you do sending one of those balls down a lane. Perhaps that's why Flick Bowling works so well – it may not sport much, but it's still a flicking good time.

Flick Bowling does a whole lot more than knock a few pins down and in fact rolls past other iPhone games with some of the best graphics yet. The highly detailed alley features polished floors and reflective lighting, not to mention a wide range of flashy bowling balls from the all-American stars and stripes to a Freeverse-emblazoned one. Cartoon-like characters contrast with the alley's style, but it comes together for a unique look.

Whether you hit the lanes in Free Play or Versus modes, you get to choose from a roster of six characters. Although there's no discernible advantage to using one over another, each has their own personality. Mr Hiner, the local high school geometry teacher, gets special mention for still living with his mother. The Dude is nowhere to be found, although blond-bearded Jeffrey who reportedly smells of rental shoes comes close.

Giving each character a distinct bowling style would have done a lot to vary gameplay but instead each plays exactly the same as any other, which provides no incentive for changing characters. Even worse, there's only one lane and a handful of different balls with no qualitative differences – they just look unique. New balls, an extra character or two, perhaps different levels or modes of play – anything to instill variety because it's far from being a strong suit here.

As it stands, Flick Bowling relies heavily on its touch-enabled bowling mechanics to drive the game's value and it largely succeeds. Once you've set your character's stance by sliding them left or right in front of the lane, you flick your finger to roll the bowling ball down the alley. It takes a deliberate swipe of the finger, not so much a quick flick to send the ball hurling. Flick too hastily and the ball meanders slowly, usually into the gutter. You can even put a slight spin on by curving your swipe.

For something so simple, so seemingly shallow, you can't help but have a ball. Flick Bowling is fun. It's not long-lasting fun, mind you, but for a few minutes here and there it's certainly enjoyable. Hot swap multiplayer for two is an exciting draw, which only makes us want wi-fi or network play that much more. High score boards provide some encouragement to come back for more, too.

So, the strength of its snazzy graphics and touch controls has Flick Bowling rolling over its shortcomings. A lack of variety and content holds it back, yet it's so charming and rewarding to play that it's easy enough to excuse the split.