Pele:King of Football https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cosiproductions.pele Retired Brazilian soccer player Pelé today launched a new game for Android and iOS that gives you the shot at a one-on-one meeting with the legend himself. The free flick-to-shoot game traces Pelé's rise to fame from the backstreets of Brazil to the world arena. We had a chance to try out "Pelé: King of Football" and found it entertaining and rewarding. Perhaps the most intriguing and attractive part of the app are the real-world prizes you can win playing the game. Every shot you take within the app gives you tickets which you accumulate to get rewards such as a meet-and-greet with Pelé in Brazil, tickets to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final in Rio de Janiero and the chance to try out for a pro contract. Smaller prizes include merchandise signed by Pelé, who co-created the app. On starting the app, you're presented with an avatar that you can customize in "Locker Room". We chose dreadlocks and an Argentinian jersey for our player. You can also change the letters on your character's jersey to reflect your name. Those familiar with mobile games such as "Angry Birds" will find the level progression format familiar. Hitting "Career" takes you to the first available level, and there are 20 levels for each of the four stages. From "Backlot" to "World," each stage represents a phase in Pele's career. Each level comprises of your player, a goal defended by a goalkeeper at the top and a number of defenders in between, depending on the level's difficulty. Your objective is to swipe and flick 10 balls (one by one) through all the obstructions and score as many points as possible. You also get more points if you land the ball in tougher spots such as corners of the goal. If you hold down your finger and drag it in different directions as you flick, you can perform some cool movements, such as spinning or curving the ball. Three misses, and you fail the level. If you need a little extra help, the app also provides power-ups, such as a "Fireball" to disintegrate the first obstacle it touches and a "Freeze ball" to hold all obstructions in their places. The makers of the app also tried to make the main player's movements as realistic as possible, and according to creator Josh Blitz, that was one of Pelé's main concerns. Instead of constantly kicking with your player's right leg, you get a randomly generated variety of shots, such as using different legs and angles or doing a header. Throughout the game you're treated to soundbites from Pelé himself, such as "I like your style" when you change your hairstyle or "Fantastic" when you score a goal. Pelé recorded some 220 audio clips for the app, Blitz said. Even better, the goalkeeper started dancing when we were idle for too long (which, funnily enough, awarded us points too). For those with a competitive streak, the app also offers its multi-player Pelé Blitz mode that pits you against other players or your Facebook friends. A leaderboard is provided so you can see where you stand against other players in the world. Pelé fans will also appreciate the Vault, which packs exclusive video interviews with the sportsman that can be unlocked with gameplay. Overall, "Pelé: King of Football" draws in soccer fans with its real-world incentives, and is easy enough to play, even for novices. Perhaps after you beat the game, you can even try out as a real soccer player with a pro team!
