Sometimes it creeps me out that Facebook seems to know me so well it can suggest websites and products for me with frightening accuracy. I know it’s all about my user history and cookies and all that, but it still freaks me out. 

That’s how I discovered Disney Frozen: Free Fall one day last week. While scrolling through my newsfeed a little icon of Olaf caught my eye. Tracy thinks I have an unnatural obsession with the little guy but I can’t help it, he’s just so adorable and witty. I followed the little Olaf right into the App Store and downloaded Disney Frozen: Free Fall immediately. It’s the perfect pairing for me – Disney’s Frozen and a Match 3 game.

Disney Frozen: Free Fall is like any Match 3 game – line up three ice crystals of like color and shape to clear them from the board. Matching strings of 4 or 5 creates a power up, which clears larger blocks of crystals. 4 in a row makes a “windchill,” while 5 in a T or L formation is an “iceberg” and 5 in a row forms a “glacier.” 

Each level has an objective to meet before you can advance and unlock new levels. Some levels are simple beat the clock mode – make as many matches as possible while the timer counts down. Find matches quickly to earn bonus points or combine power-ups to break even more crystals.

As you advance through the levels the objectives get more difficult to meet. Some crystals are trapped in “snow” blocks which are broken by making a match next to it, then making a match with that crystal to clear it completely.

Most levels have a limited number of moves so it’s important to think ahead and use matches wisely.  The game will prompt for a match if you can’t find one but that’s not always the best use of your limited moves.

In addition, the targets often contain a minimum score necessary to advance to the next level. Even if you clear the snow or move all the special items to the bottom, if you don’t complete the matches quickly enough to earn points, you may not pass the level. Despite being themed after a children’s movie, I think the game is too difficult for young children who could be easily frustrated. 

The theming throughout Disney Frozen: Free Fall is nothing less than I would expect from Disney. The scenery is straight out of the movie depicting the kingdom of Arendelle under Elsa’s frosty touch. The music is pleasant enough, but I was hoping I could belt out a few versus of “Let it Go” while playing.   

Each level has a companion from the movie – early levels show characters like Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff in their youth, and they age as the levels advance. Some levels allow you to choose a companion from a set and each one has its own unique power ups. They range from an ice pick that eliminates a single crystal to steaming mugs of hot chocolate and swords that can eliminate a whole block.

Power-ups can be earned (each new day you log in, you can chose one) and, of course, purchased through the App Store. For a free game, you could certainly spend a lot of money trying to beat all of the levels. Some are nearly impossible to complete without purchasing additional moves, lives, or power-ups. I have yet to beat all 120 levels, but I’m cheap and refuse to pay for anything in a free game, so I’m determined to make it work!