Bullet Candy
Writer: Michael Jones

My video-game ego had convinced itself that it was healed of the heartbreak that comes from knowing that I am the worst person ever to play any games of the "space shooter" genre. Case in point? It took years to get over the scars caused by weekends spent feeding quarter after quarter to the beast known as Galaga.

Today, though, thanks to the fine folks at Charlie's games and their game Bullet Candy, my ego is cracked in more places than Humpty Dumpty post-fall, and my psychiatrist has this eager look on his face. Post Traumatic Shooter Syndrome, anyone?

All kidding (and mention of how atrocious my skills at playing it are) aside, Bullet Candy is a darn fine little game. Resembling something of along the lines of what I'd imagine a love child would look like if Asteroids managed to reach the end credits with a willing Galaga, I can honestly say that it has been a hoot to play.

How could it not be? When the main focus of a game is simply to shoot everything and avoid getting shot by anything, it stands to reason that you are going to be able to sit back and allow your inner child to come out and play for a bit, without having to worry about where you might find a walkthrough FAQ online.

It's fast, addictive, beautifully rendered, challenging, and a fantastic way to spend some bonding time with your computer. I love it almost as much as I hate admitting that I'm no good at it!

Also, though I do not see an official ESRB rating on the game, this new "old-school" shooter looks to be safe for players of all ages. My only warning would be for any children who may be super-sensitive to lights or bright colors and are prone to seizures - it gets quite chaotic.

Bullet Candy is available for both the PC and Mac. When you purchase the game, you get a copy for both platforms and the forthcoming Linux build of the game.