iPhone App: Paper Toss

July 4th, 2009

= 4 stars

Toss paper balls (crumpled up sheets of 8 1/2 x 11) into a wastebasket with varying distances and wind conditions.

The Good

• Super simple game play: just swipe toward the waste basket from the bottom of the screen to launch the paper ball toward its target. The complicating matter is a fan sitting to either side that blows at a different speed during each toss. The wind direction and strength is given to you beneath the waste basket, but that doesn’t make things easy. Points are scored through consecutive baskets — one miss and your score resets to zero.
• Tiny details make the game: most satisfying is a “rim shot” where the ball bounces off the wastebasket rim. occasionally saving a close throw. Other details are subtly subversive: the background depicts a cubicle office setting (complete with monitors displaying Windows XP), giving one the giggly feeling of goofing off at work.

The Bad

• The distance of your upward swipe has no effect on the toss distance. Therefore, the game is all about your initial swipe angle, based on the fan speed. A higher number means leaning your swipe further to either side.
• Not much variety beyond the tossing concept. The paper balls don’t interact with the other office furniture in any way, so bank shots off of a cubicle wall or file cabinet aren’t possible. Even the subversive sense of humor could be expanded upon: would be amusing to see the balls ricochet off potted plants or on desks, or be persistent so the office slowly got filled with your ridiculous balls.

Conclusion

Paper Toss is a simple idea realized well, resulting in a game more addictive than it has any right to be. Plus: it’s free. May the subversive goofing off commence.

iTunes App Store Link: