It is an unquestionable truth that bacon is the world's most delicious food. Really, it tastes so good with everything that the only question is how exactly should you prepare it? The sheer number of options is overwhelming, so why not let The Better Bacon Book show you how to whip up some delicious, artery-clogging concoctions?
The app is packed with 31 different recipes, including mouthwatering fare like Maple Bacon Sticky Buns and Bacon Creme Brulee. There are also 20 HD videos and 150 photos that are all but guaranteed to make your stomach growl just by looking at them. Like doing things yourself? The Better Bacon Book also showcases expert butchering, smoking, and curing tips from expert chef, Tom Mylan.
Ok, that tears it, I have to stop writing and go make a BLT, and a bacon burger, and a bacon pizza. And once all that is done I'll be checking myself into the emergency room, but it'll be totally worth it.
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what to make of Ciganoid. On one hand it's an entertaining Arkanoid clone with the added incentive of purchasable upgrades. On the other hand it's essentially an interactive anti-smoking ad which has players more-or-less playing the part of cancer as it destroys a smoker's lungs. Brick-by-brick. It's actually pretty twisted, the more I think about it.
It makes me a little uncomfortable when I play it, actually. The concept, I mean. I'm moving this cigarette paddle around, using the little ball (cancer?) to break up the lungs and grab falling green stuff (??). The green stuff can then be used between games in the store to upgrade the paddle or ball, but really it's being used to make the cancer more effective. Creepy.
I find it a little odd to have an interactive anti-smoking ad that has participants play the role of the "badguy." Although I suppose making it the other way around wouldn't make for much of a game. Still, as a game and not a condemnation of one of the world's most disgusting habits, it's fun. Ignoring the moral dilemma, Ciganoid is actually a fairly enjoyable game. It's retro in all the right places (looks and sounds), and I'm enjoying chasing the upgrade carrot quite a bit. As with most iOS games that taunt players with new, oh-so-close abilities, I want to keep playing (and inevitably failing) so that I can earn more cash and get better stuff. So I can use it to kill people more effectively.
It's interesting that Black Phoenix Games' other title, Don't Die, involves a vaguely similar idea. Granted it has more to do with unhealthy eating habits (and platforming) than lung cancer, but I'm starting to notice a pattern here. I'm not implying that they're crusaders for public health or anything, but it's interesting to see more developers creating games with a real message.
Quitting smoking is about as tough as learning Chinese, and like the foreign language quest, it definitely helps when you have some solid support on your side.
