Sparkle 2

Sparkle 2 is like walking into a twisted, colorful maze of glowing balls, each waiting to bounce off the screen.

The game has an almost hypnotic rhythm, testing your reflexes as the balls begin to roll faster and faster. It’s pure, unadulterated fun and surprisingly stress-relieving as long as you settle into the rhythm. The fewer colors you stick, the more points you score, introducing an addictive competitive element.

But they can’t all be sunshine and rainbows. There were moments in the show when the pace spike a bit too sharply, leaving me frantically flailing to get back into control. Also, I missed power-ups or bonus levels, which made me hungry for just a bit more variety to enliven things.

But for a brief escape from reality, no downloads or complicated setups necessary, Sparkle 2 offers a a delightfully colorful setting in which to run your speed through a gauntlet of orb-rolling confusion.