Game Reviews

Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder

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Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder

Rather than be honest about the genuine quality of their latest games, developers frequently spout hyperbole in an attempt to generate interest and, more importantly, sales.

It was therefore rather surprising when developer iFun4all announced that its title Crap of Defense was the worst game ever made, particularly since it isn’t all that bad.

Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder is billed as a spiritual successor, and this latest episode in the pursuit of awfulness is another tongue-in-cheek take on the tower defence format.

Tanks a lot

The aim of Paper Wars is to prevent enemies from crossing the battlefield using missiles and various power-ups. Missiles are launched from a tank by touching to aim and set power, whereas power-ups such as mines and air strikes are activated with taps.

The three campaign modes boast 28 missions altogether, playable on three difficulty levels. You have to meet certain level objectives - such as surviving for a specified period of time or killing a certain number of enemies - before you exceed the limit of enemy units you're allowed to miss.

A Survival mode is included for each of the campaign modes, allowing you to use the skills learned in the latter to get the most points as possible before you go over the missed unit threshold.

Paper Planes

Despite some problems, the solid gameplay and humour results in a fairly polished tower defence offering that belies 'worst game ever' roots.

The campaign levels are challenging, especially on the most difficult setting, but as the only other mode is the rather uninspiring Survival mode diversity is in short supply.

The controls are reasonably functional, but on occasion they're not as responsive as required, especially when you're trying to select a different missile for your tank.

The developer's tongue-in-check rhetoric may have changed from “worst game ever” to “Angry Birds killer”, but in truth Paper Wars occupies a comfortable middle ground.

Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder

Far from being the worst game ever, Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder is a fair representation of a tested formula, but a greater deal of variation would have been welcome
Score
Steve McCaskill
Steve McCaskill
A crippling addiction to Football Manager threatened Steve's education and social life for much of the past ten years, but he has come through it with a history degree and an unparalleled knowledge of zonal marking.