Isn't a strike effectively a solved problem? Like the pin you're supposed to aim for, and the angle you're supposed to approach the pins at, where you're supposed to stand, and all that?

Like I get that it's super hard to replicate time and time again, and that's why pros are as good as they are.

Sort of. Sure, the angle and position of the ball as it hits the first pin is solved to a fair degree. The problem is the number of variables between when the bowler even picks up the ball vs contact.

This is very much like saying we know what angle and speed we need for a rocket to achieve orbit, but you need to account for many, many other factors, some of which you don't have true control over. Weight, dimensions, and geometry of the rocket, wind, drag based on variable air density, weight of that individual rocket, are all engines burning at the right rate, etc, etc.

A veritable mission control is going on in a professional bowlers head at any given time. Varying speed of approach, how far back the ball should swing, axial tilt in the hand, which board to stand on, which board to hit, where the breakpoint should be, how the oil is changing as the game wears on (oil moves over the course of a game), is the pinsetter actually placing the pins correctly. Ball weight, core type, coverstock (surface of the ball) type, oil absorbtion into that coverstock, etc, etc. It's not so much replication, it's constant adjustment, and no two frames, much less games, are really the same. Not to mention you can't SEE how oil is changing directly. You have to infer it from the reaction of your ball as well as other bowlers.

Bowling is a deceptively deep and vexing sport

Sorta. This is a pretty entertaining video about how hard it is, even when you sorta cheat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1fUliFuz2U

The oil on the lane can be set in different patterns, so the throw can change depending on the pattern. You can't see the pattern (I've never been able to see it anyway), but the alley will show you a picture of what it should look like. It also will change as balls are thrown over it.

It's solved in the same way that baseball is solved: an omniscient superhuman player can get the perfect hit every time, but the fun is that we're imperfect and have to minimize our mistakes and maximize our recovery from mistakes.

I think there are diff oil patterns on the lanes that change where you want to aim.

Is the number of perfect games being bowled in competition going up in any meaningful way?

Just curious.