Flea Symphony
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- $.99
- Music Games
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Flea Symphony is a challenging music puzzle game based on rhythm, physics, and strategy. The game is multilevel and quickly increases in difficulty, and has high replay value. The theme is an old-time flea circus where players bounce fleas off musical instruments that are mounted on intricate mechanics -- all in rhythm to a picture-based music timeline. The game's not forgiving, and often, quick two-finger motions are needed for successful gameplay. Still, the synchronized images, sounds, and strategy can rope you for a high-wire rhythmic challenge. Parents should know that the app has options to share via social media and fees to unlock higher levels.
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Good app, but don't assume that it's associated with music
What's it about?
The game begins when a flea is blown out of a horn. Using trial and error, kids move musical instruments to bounce the flea into a red bell -- all in time and corresponding to pictures notated on a musical staff. Off-rhythm bounces show up as a blue line where the beat's too early or late. When instruments are properly aligned, the flea bounces in rhythm, which highlights the notation and advances players to the next level. Each world brings more intricate instruments and mechanics, making the game increasingly challenging.
Is it any good?
FLEA SYMPHONY is all about rhythm, physics, and timing. The game is very imaginative and its sights and sounds are great (for even more stunning visuals, Retina iPad can download the Retina asset pack, which is available as a separate 90 MB download). While the game's objective is simple, Flea Symphony is a tricky time-based, trial and error puzzler. The pacing of levels is sometimes odd, with easy puzzles followed by really challenging ones. In either case, the picture notation musical staff is indispensable because it gives kids a visual rhythmic phrase to match -- if your beat's a little early, lower the instrument; if your beat's a bit late, raise it up some. It's really rewarding when everything lines up -- the game lights up and players are washed with a short but very pleasing rhythmic symphony.
Talk to your kids about ...
Music is made up of individual notes which, when played together, makes a song. Talk about how music can be written down using notes or other forms of representation.
Explore the branch of physics known as mechanics by bouncing a ball off different surfaces. Ask kids to predict how a ball will bounce on flat, angled, and curved surfaces.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Arts: music, rhythm
Science: motion, physics
Math: patterns, probability - Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, decision-making, logic
Tech Skills: using and applying technology - Price: $.99
- Release date: November 15, 2012
- Category: Music Games
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Size: 47.30 MB
- Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
- Version: 1.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.1 or later
- Last updated: November 11, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love puzzles and music
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.