The magic of the golden age of Disney cinema seemed beautifully revived when the musical fantasy adventure Frozen became a hit. This new, free-to-download puzzle game from Disney seems unlikely to inspire the same awe, but it’s still fun provided you are willing to overlook a glaring lack of originality.
Icy Shot is, to put it simply, the classic Peggle suitably decorated with Frozen-style scenery and many of the film’s much-loved characters, including Princess Anna and snowman Olaf. And, of course, there’s the magical Snow Queen Elsa – whose snowflake cannon you are apparently utilising as you fire snowball after snowball to eliminate ice pieces, dislodge gems, or do whatever else levels ask you to.
The movie’s sumptuous art style is faithfully recreated – even if, with little narrative to build upon that of the film, Frozen fans could still find the experience as a whole feeling the wrong kind of cold. And there’s over a hundred levels to (snow) plow through, despite the usual “in-app purchases” placing a few restrictions on the way if you’re frosty about spending any money.
If you loved the movie, playing Icy Shot could be akin to an all-too-brief reunion with some much-missed old friends. For everyone else, it’s a rather unoriginal puzzler that nonetheless, in its execution, can feel as solid as the most enduring Arctic iceberg. Wrap up warm…