Fragger 2 Review

Developer: Harold Brenes
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 5

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Fragger 2 is a game that calls back to an earlier time--a time of games like Gunbound, Worms, and even Scorched Earth. It's essentially a puzzle game that relies heavily on arc-and-shoot mechanis that resemble the use of real-world weapons like artillery and grenades. Although it does set up some interesting scenarios and makes some clever use of gravity-altering gimmicks, Fragger 2 ultimately feels like a pretty old game. For better and for worse.

Players have to control the grenade arm of a stationary grenadier and try to clear all enemy units off of a level in order to proceed to the next. They're given a set number of grenades in each stage to lob over obstacles to try and blow foes up. Using as few grenades as possible rewards players with a medal, but passing a level using most or all of the grenades still grants access to the next stage.

To make things challenging, Fragger 2 has a lot of level design features that are pretty typical for games of this type, including other explosives strewn about the environment, destroyable features, impenetrable obstacles, etc. To keep things interesting, Fragger 2 also has items like gravity blocks that change the direction of gravity in a given level and propelled explosives that are kind of like deadly fireworks waiting to be lit by a grenade. Both can make for some relatively interesting puzzle-solving scenarios, particularly when paired together.

If I have one primary complaint with Fragger 2, it's that it doesn't use its most interesting features often enough. Gravity puzzles are usually a one or two-step process, and the propelled explosives are usually just there to say "hey, you see that guy who seems impossible to hit? Use this." Also, for a physics-based game itseems awfully contrived how levels have very specific solutions that don't really allow for much experimentation.

As time has moved forward and games of its ilk have progressed, Fragger 2 feels like a backslide into a simpler time. Even the art style is reminiscent of simpler flash-based games of this variety. For some, this could be seen as a wonderful nostalgic trip. For others, itmight feel too antiquated. In the end, Fragger 2 is a solid game but not a terribly exciting or innovative one.