Just go with the Flobe
Every once in a while, a game comes along to remind us that the simplest ideas sometimes work the best. Such is the case with Flobe, a sweet little indie title that is as enjoyable as it is minimal.
The game allows players to control a paddle-like device within the confines of a single-screen board. Assorted bug-like creatures proceed to fly in from all directions and it’s up to you to catch those which align to the color of your paddle. Initially, the paddle is a solid blue color but before long it’ll develop two distinct blue and purple ends. Thus, capturing the correctly-colored creatures becomes an increasingly demanding task, thanks in no small part to their ever-growing numbers. To add further challenge to the mix, unmatchable green, red, and black creatures pop in uninvited and constantly make a kamikaze beeline to your paddle in order to put an abrupt end to your color-matching ways. In a way, it features a vague resemblance to the original Breakout games, except the paddle is free-moving and the objective is to absorb multiple balls rather than deflect them.
The first thing you’ll notice when you boot up the game is that the control scheme takes some getting used to. This is mainly because the paddle is controlled from two points, one on each end, which move independently of one another. You’ll get the hang of it before too long, but my personal recommendation is to ditch the keyboard and rely on the trusty gamepad if you want the most natural-feeling experience.
It’s a bare-bones experience with simple-yet-stylish graphics and an undeniably playable concept. It’s extremely easy to get into, tricky to master and invokes the ever-important “just one more try” reflex in all the best games. It’s all the more impressive when you consider that the developer is but 14 years old. I recommend it highly for anyone looking for a quick gaming fix and all you score-hunters out there. Get it from its official Steam page here.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Available on:, PC (reviewed); Publisher: Forever Humble PDX; Developer: Skinny Jean Death Studios, Porcelain Labs; Release Date: 23/1/2016; MSRP: $0.99 (Early Access)
Full disclosure: This review is based on a review copy of Flobe provided to Hey Poor Player by the game’s publisher, Forever Humble PDX.
