Slumber Sam Review
:: FOR YOUNGSTERS ONLYPrice: Free
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPad 3
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With influence from Paper Toss and Office Jerk, Slumber Sam is a game that challenges players to wake a hapless, sleeping oaf by throwing a small arsenal of irritating things at him whilst he lazes around.
Players have to estimate the trajectory of the object – taking wind resistance into account – before swiping it in the direction of the body part they wish to hit. These objects include the default teddy bear, a burger, a slice of pizza, and various other things nobody would be particularly happy about being hit with during an innocent midday nap. Did anyone think that maybe Sam just works nights? Give the big guy a break.
There are two modes available: Classic and Zen, the former a mission-focused mode and the latter more of an endless pelt-a-thon. With every hit, players will invoke a mildly-humorous reaction that will tick off a task, thereby earning coins that can be used to unlock other objects to throw. However, it takes a long time to accumulate these coins, to the point where unless players are very dedicated, they might find they stop playing before they unlock anything else. I found myself yearning for more violent objects to throw, like a knife or a shuriken, for example. Just me?
The game is full of novelty sound effects, such as belching and farting noises, that are funny the first time around but irritating the rest of the time. The same goes for Sam's reactions whilst getting pelted by junk. If the players are of a younger age however, it'll probably bring the house down.
Slumber Sam is not a unique game, nor does it do much to improve on a classic iPhone game mechanic, but it's passable enough for a few rounds at least, especially for younger players. It might even get a sympathy laugh or two in the process, if it's lucky. Anyway, I'm off for a nap... don't even think about it.