Free Flow - Big Duck Games LLC

This review of Free Flow was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 7 June 2018.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Free Flow contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Up to level 17 of the 7*7 board.

App description

Flow Free is a fun puzzle game that involves matching coloured dots via a water pipe without crossing paths with the different colours. Throughout game play the sound of flowing water can be heard. The regular pack starts at a simple level with boards of 5*5 squares and 3 – 5 matching coloured dots. The player has to swipe the board to join the dots. The complexity increases to boards with 9*9 squares with 7 – 9 matching coloured dots.

There are also: daily puzzles; a bonus pack; a time trial where players have to ‘beat the clock’; samplers of other puzzles using hexes, warps and bridges; and a variety of other different packs available to play for free. There are also 4 locked packs, which are available for purchase. When a puzzle is completed the game gives you a score and suggests that the player might want to pay to remove the ads and/or share over the Internet via Facebook, email etc. Fine motor skills are necessary to play the game.

Reviewers comments

Flow Free is a colourful and appealing app that young children will enjoy playing.  The opening interface is quite basic with easy access to the app store and to more games by the same developer. Extra packs can be bought in the store and hints can be purchased in packs of either 5 or 20. (see in-app purchases) The game play is fun and may help develop spatial awareness and geometric skills, as well as problem solving skills.

The free version would be suitable for children aged 13+ but parents may prefer to pay $5.99 to unlock every level pack and remove the ads. This won’t block access to the Internet however and parental guidance is therefore recommended for children 12 and under.

In App purchasing

• Extra packs can be purchased for $1.49 each
• Premium packs are $2.99 each
• 5 Hints cost $1.49
• 20 Hints cost $4.49
• Unlock all packs and remove ads for $5.99

Online information

• Receive data from the Internet.
• Log ins
• Access to the game store
• Access to the app store to purchase more games
• iCloud sync
• Connects to social media to share game results

Gambling

At the time of review, the reviewer found no simulated gambling content.  If you discover simulated gambling content in this app, please contact us with the details so we can update our review.

Advertising and product placement

• There are frequent pop up ads for other apps by the same developer
• Ads for independent goods and services appear between levels
• Banner ads generally aimed at adults on each page
• If the player watches an ad they get a free hint

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

None.

Coarse language

None.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

None.

Other

N/A.

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