Never in my wildest
dreams when I think of an endless-runner clone would I think of a
jolly umbrella, floating straight up, amongst raindrops and birds.
Clone is an unfortunate term to use, as PlicPlic has a certain
adorable individuality about it.
As PlicPlic, you float gently up amongst a backdrop of pleasant
cartoon mountains, quite reminiscent of the mountains in Super Mario
World (In saying this, the music itself has the same catchy whimsy
of aforementioned classic). PlicPlic will eventually run of juice
if not for the stars that you pick along the way, giving you a
serious boost. Collecting three in short succession gives you a
super boost of sorts and turns you into a coin magnet for a short
spurt. Otherwise, coins are collected the hard way - running, ahem,
swinging into them.
Which brings me to the controls. Touching on either side of
PlicPlic will make it dip that side, the longer the touch, the
larger the dip down and to the side. Inertia, though, makes it
difficult as PlicPlic has it by the bucketloads. Once PlicPlic
starts a dip, it is very hard or nigh on impossible to stop it hence
anticipation and leaving yourself a safety barrier lest the
unexpected appears is key. The unresponsive nature is something I
accept - who said an umbrella needs to be dexterous? Your main
obstacles are birds flying through and thunderstorms when you get
higher.
To add to the mix, there is the usual missions to complete, that
will increase the score multiplier. These usually involve flying
under birds, flying off screen, collecting a certain number of coins
or points. Completing three missions will increase the score
multiplier (say from 2X to 3X) and bring on the next set of
missions. IAP is present but not particularly necessary - most
items are within reach with persistence. (Double coins.... mmmmmm.....)
All in all, PlicPlic is a jolly fun game. Addictive to a degree,
simple, cheerful, chirpy, it really did appeal to my sensibilities.
Longevity though, as with a lot of endless runners is questionable.
Still, for less that a buck, worth a try.
