Ketchapp is a company that has cranked out many addictive apps in the past couple years notably including 2048, Stack, and Stick Hero. Because of Ketchapp’s strong reputation, it was no surprise when Dunk Line, released on Feb. 19, reached the top of the charts for free games in a matter of days. Dunk Line is a game where a basketball pops up onto the screen, and you have to draw a line for the basketball to bump on, roll on, or bounce off of into a hoop that changes position. Add inconvenient bombs, bumpers, a limit of lines, and harder levels as you get a higher number and Dunk Line quickly becomes very addictive.

When first playing Dunk Line, it was clear that the game was very well thought out. As you progress, it becomes harder, and excruciatingly more painful when coming short of your record, making you want to play one more round. This game is so addictive that one check of your phone turns to at least ten minutes of playing. While playing, you also learn a lot as you don’t even notice that you are using physics and geometry to get ball in the hoop. After the first week, Dunk Line had an update allowing for creativity in colors and objects. This update allows you to change the backdrop to night, the basketball to something else, or the line color. However to unlock these extra , you need gems that you get in game by making baskets, giving you another reason to hit the retry button.

The game in Dunk Line is perfect as it feels easy and hard at the same time. However outside the game, Ketchapp quickly swarms ads on the screen. From asking if you want to watch an ad for a second life, to having an ad play every third death, Dunk Line’s addictive power quickly diminishes. Without or with minimal ads, Dunk Line could reach the lore of apps like Flappy Bird, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride. However, if Ketchapp continues to put money over what the consumer wants, Dunk Line could lose its popularity before it really becomes huge.

The game inside the app is worthy of a five star rating, however the never-ending ads degrade Dunk Line.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐