You’ll Never Think Of S’Mores The Same Again After Playing Mean Mallows
Mean Mallows ($0.99) by DEFYN Mean Mallows is a survival game staring a chocolate bar that is trying to avoid enemy marshmallows and graham crackers. Grab your toothpicks and matches cause you’re in a race for your life against an attack of evil s’mores.
Players are given a ranged weapon that shoots toothpicks and matches. Fight off attacking hordes of evil marshmallows and graham crackers until they overpower and destroy you. Since this is a game of survival, the only goal is to not die. Points are earned for every enemy taken down, but the levels never progress and the scenery never changes.
There are three types of ammo, toothpicks, triple shot, which is three toothpicks at once, and matches, which are the most powerful. More ammo will drop from the sky from time to time to replenish the player’s stash, as well as bonuses to replenish the player’s health. Marshmallows die with one shot and graham crackers after two. Players can also attack enemies by punching them, but getting that close will likely cost health.
This game is cute. The angry mob of campfire goodies that are on the hunt for the poor little chocolate bar is adorable, but the game lacks depth. There is only one small area to roam around in and players only get four hits before they are dead, making it nearly impossible to last very long against a mob of 10 or more enemies.
Players move around using a virtual joystick and an A and B button. The controllers seem to be a bit off. I can admit that I am not a stellar shot with a virtual joystick, but the aim was always wrong when I tried to hit my mark.
Being that this is a survival game, it fits with the genre well. It is definitely a challenge, but it may be too hard. The cards are stacked high in favor of the enemy, making it frustrating to play. Since there is never a reward or change in scenery, it makes players feel like there is no point to continuing.
If you like survival games, this may appeal to you. The graphics are cute and it is satisfying to shoot down an entire horde of sticky marshmallows as they attack. It is very hard to play and the payoff is minimal. It only costs $0.99, so it may be worth it to fans of the survival genre to give it a chance.
