I want to take the time to review my favorite Android game, PhoneFraze. It is an awesome app that promotes interaction with other people in the room. The game itself is a lot of fun to play, plus it is the perfect icebreaker and party starter, and has gotten me out of a few awkward situations before.
There are several aspects of PhoneFraze that make it a fantastic download for any Android phone owner. If you are a word game lover, or someone who just wants an excuse to pass your phone around to all your friends, you will love PhoneFraze! The basis of this game is similar to that of the electronic handheld game 'Catch Phrase(tm)' with several key distinctions. PhoneFraze makes rival renditions obsolete due to its price, portability, and plethora of added features. In other words, PhoneFraze is $20+ cheaper, your phone is always with you, and Android powers a constantly growing list of words and evolving game.
A critical part of any game is its presentation. Upon opening the game, PhoneFraze presents you with a simple page of instructions detailing each of the three different game modes.
Basic - the person left holding the phone loses (or has to drink - for the rowdy crowds!)
Scramble - the team not holding the phone at the buzzer gets a point
Heads Up - 1 point per correct phrase to the current team
Upon selecting a game mode, you can then choose either 45 second rounds or 90 second rounds. The game then offers the choice between the default music, and an mp3 stored on the Android's SD card as background music, allowing you to blast your own tunes!
After customizing the settings, PhoneFraze presents you with a lengthy slate of word lists varying all the way from SuperBowl to Genius Edition.
Now, we're ready to play. Immediately upon playing, you can readily appreciate the sleek graphics and easy to use buttons that are critical for the gaming experience. Furthermore, near the end of the round, the phone lets you know by intermittently beeping and vibrating. Using the menu button, the game also allows for you to modify the game settings midway through a game without affecting the score.
The technical functionality of the game is flawless. One feature I really like is the game allows you to pause, or actually quit the app at any time - it automatically saves the game state (score, category, timing) until the "New Game" option is selected. Moreover, the game will automatically pause when the device receives a phone call. I was concerned about how it would interact with apps, such as Handcent when the 'pop up' option was activated, since I've had problems with that in the past. This would be a dealbreaker, however after testing it, the texts come through on top perfectly as the game gracefully pauses just like it does with a phone call. After clicking the screen to resume, PhoneFraze begins exactly where it left off.
As with every other game, the app's merit hinges on its gameplay, which is where PhoneFraze excels. PhoneFraze is simple to pick up, and runs as smoothly on my old laggy G1 as it does on my friend's EVO 4G. Also, you can adjust the score at any point in the game, while the robust and varied word lists grant the game impressive diversification.
Furthermore, it is outstanding that the PhoneFraze developers are constantly updating the game with new word lists, such as the most recent World Cup pack. PhoneFraze fulfills all expectations of a quality, paid download, as it can instantly fill a room with both fun and excitement. The intensity of holding your Android phone, vibrating in palm, as a room full of people try to guess that one final word, is the social experience that this game truly delivers.
