Game Review: Futurama – Game of Drones

The new smartphone game for Futurama, called “Game of Drones”, was released recently for both iPhone and Android. The game is an interesting one. In some ways, it’s similar to Candy Crush, in that you match up rows of colored items (in this case, robotic drones), to eliminate rows. Also like Candy Crush, there are difficult obstacles such as brain slugs, which expand if they are not eliminated (much like Candy Crush’s expanding chocolate).

However, that’s where the similarity to Candy Crush ends. “Game of Drones” has a cool and funny Futurama plot-line– the characters are along for the ride, and you meet several along the way in the levels (Fry, Zapp, Bender, Leela) that give you power ups and help. There are several bosses or main characters to beat– first the leader of the Neutrals, then Clamps from the robot mafia, and so on. The art is really great, too– it fills the void of not having new Futurama episodes to enjoy. And it’s done in panels– almost like an animated comic book.

What I dislike about “Game of Drones” is the same that I dislike about any mobile game, really– the constant monetization aspects, the frustrating/infuriating aspects of levels, and their seeming impossibility (which can almost always be overcome with patience and perseverance), and of course the limits on lives with which to play.

Overall, “Game of Drones” is great, though. It’s very enjoyable, and playable, and funny. It makes you think in new ways. You connect four drones in any pattern as long as the sides are touching– it doesn’t have to be in straight lines like other games (Candy Crush). Also, the game switches up the objectives intermittently. The types of levels switch between drone matching, pizza delivery, and other types– all to try and defeat Mom and her insidious delivery company.

I think many people, including myself, first expected “Game of Drones” to be a “Tapped Out” or “Quest for Stuff” task-style interactive world. But I like the puzzle aspect of this type of game (it’s also similar to another of my favorites, Line’s Poko Pang), and I like the different ways it makes you think.

I intend to keep playing “Game of Drones”, even when the levels seem impossibly difficult– because I like to challenge myself. And because I love Futurama. Basically, any fan of Futurama or addictive phone games will most likely enjoy this app.