A friend suggested I try Ragdoll Blaster (“It’s awesometastic”), and although I was wary at shooting rag dolls from a cannon, this iPhone app has continued to be a ton of fun. Even better, my friend plays this on his iPod Touch, which shows that this is a versatile app (for a versatile linguist).

The point of Ragdoll Blaster is so simple that a five-year-old can do it (but shouldn’t since it is meant for ages nine and up): Shoot a rag doll from a cannon and hit a target. My skepticism crept in immediately, but I played a few levels and found a steady increase in challenge for each level.

Sometimes the app was so ridiculous (ok, the whole time) that while on public transportation I hid the screen from the other passengers, but this is not a dissuading point, as Ragdoll Blaster can be your little secret, your whiskey in the coffee, your Little Mermaid on Friday nights.

Game play is simple. Tap the screen to shoot the dolls. If you tap close to the cannon, you shoot with less power. Farther away gives you more power. You have an unlimited amount of rag dolls and unlimited amount of tries to complete the level.

On the Mark

• Silliness
• Strategy
• Levels

The strategy required for this game gets to be surprisingly complex. I found success with altering parts of the level, using rapid tap-mashing to spin wheels, and load springs, and using precise shots to hit switches. There were a number of computer games in the 90′s that had this similar Mousetrap feel to them.

The screenshot to the right shows one of my many failed attempts at this level. Eventually I did get it with the use of leverage, precise shooting and well timed actions.

This game also has a nice physics aspect to it. Backflip Studios did a supreme job with the gravity and centrifugal force.

What Needs Work?

• Not much

Originally I was going to list a help section, but with Google-quick fingers you can easily find tutorials, walk-throughs, and videos helping you through the levels. Honestly, I would never put that much energy into completing this kind of game, but I suppose if you’ve been stuck for a long time this is a way to get through it.

I’ve found that putting this game down for a while and coming back to a specifically challenging level work best as you come back with a new idea. Ragdoll Blaster is made to blow off some steam. The inconsequential nature of blasting a rag doll at a target aims at your inner nine-year-old terror. I’m no psychologist, but I proscribe Ragdoll Blaster for instant stress relief through escapism.

My only suggestion would be customization of your cannon and your rag dolls. I would love my cannon to have a massive lightening bolt on it and be shooting tiny Einsteins, but that’s just me.

Bottom Line

For $1.99, this is a multitude of fun, challenge, and anything but mindless escape. I suggest Ragdoll Blaster as it is one of my go to time waster apps. The only reason this didn’t get five stars is because it doesn’t help the hungry, encourage volunteerism, or better humanity. If you aren’t sure about this one, try the lite version.