Pink review
:: LOUD AND PROUDPrice: Free
Version: 1.2
App Reviewed on: iPhone XR
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Bart Bonte has been quietly making color-inspired puzzle games for years now, with his latest focusing on one of the loudest colors of them all: pink. True to its nature, Pink is packed with 50 levels full of stylish flair and confidence, making it well worth picking up.
Monochrome mind-benders
If you've played one of Bart's previous color games (Yellow, Blue, Black, Red, or Green), Pink should seem very familiar. It's a level-based puzzle game where every challenge revolves around said color. Most commonly, this means that all of the puzzles are some shade of the color in question (pink here, obviously), but it can also involve using the name of the color itself, or manipulating objects that are commonly associated with said color to reach solutions.
Most levels have their own gimmick, though some ideas get revisited with additional quirks or challenges layered on top to keep them fresh. Most of the puzzles rely on their novelty to keep your interest, though there are always a few scattered throughout that are a bit more involved.
Flamboyant flamingoes
In the case of Pink specifically, you can expect a lot of neon lights, flamingoes, and even an 80s-tinged synthwave soundtrack as the touchpoints for evoking such a bright and bold color. The puzzles themselves also have a bit of goofiness to them, whether just in the way you might tap to make a flamingo wander off screen or take control of eyes as you sweep them around to gather collectibles.
Some of the ideas in Pink also appear in Bonte's previous work, but these moments also highlight the differences across these color-based titles. As an example, the first level in Green is nearly identical to that of Pink's, but where the former has a very practical button and natural feel, Pink's treatment of the same mechanic throws out the interface and tweaks the solution to make it feel like you're testing out the top speed of a sports car.
A shade too colorful
The vast majority of Pink's puzzles are pretty straightforward and take no more than one minute to complete. This isn't to say they're too easy or simple, though. It's probably more accurate to say they're punchy. There are a few times where Pink's puzzle design falls away from its mostly intuitive design to something a bit more complicated, and there are the only moments where the game drags a bit.
Thankfully, there is virtually no chance of stalling out on any of Pink's challenges as it sports a nifty hint system that basically feeds you solutions if you're inclined to use it enough times. As a free-to-play game, any use of hints forces a pop-up ad, but you can also pay $ 1.99 to get rid of these completely. Regardless of how you choose to play, it's not likely for Pink's 50 levels to take too much time to work through, which is for the best. These micro-puzzles don't have the staying power to go much further than they do.
The bottom line
Pink is a fittingly bold entry in Bart Bonte's color-inspired puzzle series. Its more confident and stylish presentation compliments the solid foundation of entire series better than the previous installments, making it a worthwhile pickup for both fans and newcomers alike.