Drop7
Description official description
Drop7 is a numbers-based puzzle game where the player drops colored balls, some containing numbers, onto a 7x7 grid. If a ball's number matches the amount of balls in its respective row or column, the ball disappears. The goal is to keep the board from overflowing at the top; after each round additional rows of random balls are dropped onto the grid. The player ideally would set up the balls such that one ball disappearing would place other balls into position to disappear as well, creating a chain reaction.
The game has three modes: Normal, Hardcore, or Sequence. In the Sequence Mode, all players are given the same exact order of numbers each time, with the intent of developing a strategy.
Drop7 started out life as a Flash game called Chain Factor, released as part of an ARG (alternate reality game) for the CBS television program Numb3rs. An episode called "Primacy" (episode 407) revolved around the characters investigating the death of someone involved in an ARG. The episode featured clues that led viewers to the Chain Factor website, which features "error messages" and other such ephemera that unveil the story of a megalomaniacal game developer.
The campaign was considered successful, with the game receiving attention on a number of gaming sites. The game eventually received a face lift and name change, first appearing as a stealth release in the iPhone App store as snap7, then later making an official debut under its current name.
Screenshots
Promos
Credits (iPhone version)
Music | |
Sound Design |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 89% (based on 7 ratings)
Players
Average score: 2.5 out of 5 (based on 2 ratings with 1 reviews)
Expect very minimal gameplay, and lots of thinking
The Good
Drop7 is probably an ideal game for the outdoor environment (during the day). On a sunny day, if you're outdoors, the iPhone screen becomes very dark and you can't see the graphical details of most games. However, you can still see everything in Drop7. That's because Drop7 doesn't have any graphical details. It's got big numbers and big blocks, and that's all there is to it.
The Bad
Tumors. That's what this game reminds me of. You erase blocks in an endless fashion. There are two modes but they're both endless. You'll never be able to actually "complete" a level. Every gameplay session ends with you dying (i.e. the board being filled up). Is it possible to erase the entire board and actually win? I don't know. It certainly would not be easy to do, and isn't nearly worth the effort of playing.
Now, I'll explain what I said about "tumors". Everytime you successfully erase a line of blocks, another line of blocks will appear soon, effectively neutralizing your efforts. It's like tumors, because all they do is grow. The obstacles on the game board will always grow, and never reduce in size. The more you play, the more frustrated you feel. Now, there are Japanese avant-garde experimental games that are meant to provide a huge sense of frustration, and Drop7 feels like it belongs in that category as well.
It's a very minimal game with two very similar modes. No music. No catchy sound effects. No bonus goodies or powerups as you make progress. No nothing.
The Bottom Line
It's worth a try if available for free. I bought this for $5 and I wasted every dollar.
iPhone · by Pagen HD (146) · 2013
Trivia
1001 Video Games
Drop7 appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings and price history! (when applicable)
Related Sites +
-
Drop7
Download the soundtrack to the game.
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Lampbane.
iPad added by Sciere. Android added by Kabushi.
Additional contributors: Sciere, formercontrib, FatherJack.
Game added January 24, 2009. Last modified May 2, 2023.