Quirky App Of The Day: Finger Slayer
by Kathryn Zane
May 16, 2011
This app is not for the weakt-hearted. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would view that as a challenge, but I just feel it's necessary to give fair warning. Here I was, eating a few bowls of my morning cereal, when suddenly blood hits the screen, my stomach turns, and I'm pretty sure I'm going lose everything I just ate. So, to be honest and upfront with anyone else who is enjoying a meal while they read this review, you might want to put down the sandwich until it's over.
Finger slayer is a game of quick reflexes. Naturally, I'm horrible at it. So, I saw a lot of blood. I mean, a lot. The game works by holding your finger in a digital opening for a guillotine or a buzz saw. In retrospect, I should have known better to put the spoon down around the same time that I was pinning my finger onto an out-dated execution device. Well, I'll just have to keep it in mind for the future. Moving on, the game provides a timer that counts down from three. Suddenly, the word "Go" flashes on the screen, and you have to take your finger off the screen as quickly as possible.
What happens if you don't? Is there blood? Does your finger get removed in real life thanks to the advanced technology of the internet? All I saw was a splash of vivid red blood across my screen with an angry finger with a bandage on it. Mostly, I was extremely startled. I actually had my heart skip a beat and felt sick for a second. However, I'm a thorough reviewer, so what did I do? I did it again. And again. And again. I didn't get any better at it, and I never got used to the blood spraying out. If you choose the buzz saw mode, the blood stays on the background and the saw. So, there's a nifty upgrade from the guillotine.
Am I advising against this game? Oh, heck no. Am I even saying it's a waste of time? Not in the least. I am merely acting as a messenger that if you're planning on playing Finger Slayer, then act as if you're going swimming. Don't play after eating until about half an hour so your stomach can settle. In the meantime, I'm actually masochistic enough that I'm going to keep playing it in hopes of getting better. The game offers some chances for achievements, and it works through Game Center. So, there's the ability to track your reflex skills and see how they compete against other players. Like I said before, I am horrible at these sorts of games, so I won't be going up on the leader boards anytime soon. There's just something about the animated blood that keeps sucking me back into the game. I keep trying to tell myself that this time won't be so gross as the last time. I'm always wrong, but I can't help myself.
Finger Slayer is available at iTunes for the awesome price of FREE!
