Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Shooter, Strategy
- Platforms: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amiga CD32, Atari Jaguar, Atari ST/STE, BlackBerry OS, DOS, Legacy Mobile Device, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Sensible Software
- Publishers: Codemasters, Krisalis Software, Kuju Wireless Publishing, Sold Out Sales & Marketing, The Hit Squad, Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
Cannon Fodder (1993): A Darkly Humorous Anti-War Classic
Cannon Fodder is an action-strategy shoot ’em up game developed by Sensible Software and published by Virgin Interactive in 1993. The game is military-themed and based on shooting action but with a strategy game-style control system. The player directs troops through numerous missions, battling enemy infantry, vehicles, and installations.
Cannon Fodder is known for its dark humor and anti-war message. The game’s missions are often absurd and over-the-top, and the player’s troops are constantly dying in gruesome ways. However, the game also makes a serious point about the futility of war and the senseless loss of life.
Cannon Fodder was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards and selling over 2 million copies worldwide. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay, great sense of humor, and powerful anti-war message.
Gameplay
Cannon Fodder is a top-down shooter in which the player controls a squad of up to six soldiers. The player can move the soldiers around the screen, using the mouse or keyboard, and can order them to shoot, throw grenades, or dig foxholes.
The game’s missions are varied and challenging, and they often require the player to use strategy and teamwork to succeed. In one mission, for example, the player must escort a group of civilians through a minefield, while in another mission, the player must defend a base from an enemy attack.
Cannon Fodder is known for its high difficulty level, and the player’s troops can be killed very easily. However, the game is also very fair, and the player is always given a chance to succeed, even if they make mistakes.
Dark Humor and Anti-War Message
Cannon Fodder is known for its dark humor, which is often used to諷刺war and violence. The game’s missions are often absurd and over-the-top, and the player’s troops are constantly dying in gruesome ways. However, the game also makes a serious point about the futility of war and the senseless loss of life.
In one mission, for example, the player must escort a group of civilians through a minefield. The civilians are all innocent people, and they are often killed by the player’s own troops. This mission is a powerful reminder of the innocent lives that are lost in war.
In another mission, the player must defend a base from an enemy attack. The enemy troops are relentless, and the player’s troops are constantly being killed. This mission is a reminder of the horrors of war and the sacrifices that soldiers make.
Cannon Fodder’s dark humor and anti-war message were not always well-received. Some critics accused the game of being too violent and offensive. However, many other critics praised the game for its originality and its powerful message.
Legacy
Cannon Fodder is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it has been praised for its innovative gameplay, great sense of humor, and powerful anti-war message. Cannon Fodder has been ported to numerous platforms, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
The game’s legacy is also evident in the many other games that have been inspired by it. Cannon Fodder’s unique blend of action and strategy has been copied by many other games, and its dark humor and anti-war message have been influential in the development of other games.
Cannon Fodder is a classic video game that is still relevant today. The game’s innovative gameplay, great sense of humor, and powerful anti-war message make it a must-play for any gamer.
Review Score
9.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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