Perloo Is Just As Enjoyable As It Is Unexplainable

Perloo (Free) by Perceptor is a part physics, part geometry, and part puzzle game that is quite … abnormal. The game partly reminds me of simian.interface since you’re not sure what to expect going into it. After ending the game, you’re also not sure what just happened to you. Perloo is so different from any other title I’ve ever played to the point where I’m not even sure how to describe it.

Disclaimer: There is a significant risk that playing this game may result in the illusion of being in a dream, on another planet, or in another dimension. Should this occur, just keep playing. You’ll probably get through it like I did. I’d also recommend playing this game where no one else can see you. That way, people won’t be around to judge your hilariously strange actions.

Upon launching Perloo, you’ll see all sorts of crazy things go on. After tilting your device to move the dot into a hole that marks the initiation of the game, it’s hard to really say what goes on from there. In each level (or puzzle, or whatever you want to call it), you will have to use your device’s accelerometer, compass, screen, and even the light of your surroundings to progress through the game.

Each puzzle introduces some sort of unexplained concept that you have to pick up on in order to solve it. Depending on your luck and observation skills, it is hard to tell how much time this will take. Although I felt that the game was a bit short overall, the fact that you have to start over again every time you exit the app can make solving all of Perloo a lengthy process. In fact, your time will actually be recorded, so you can compete against your Game Center friends to see who can solve the entire game the quickest. My record is about six minutes.

Below is the official Perloo trailer that can show you how the game works. It does give away a couple of small hints to solutions, but this is probably nothing you can pick up on without beating the game beforehand.

If you cannot see the video embedded above, click here.

Although a short, complex, brain-mushing, and abstract game is usually the opposite of what any normal user is looking for, the intense combination of all these traits in Perloo are what make it a must-have. At the same time, it will probably make you question why you even have it, which only contributes to the frustration excitement.

Since Perloo for iPhone is available for free in the App Store until Feb. 27, 2014, I urge you to get it now. However, even if you have missed the boat by the time the news gets to you, you won’t be disappointed in paying for Perloo.