Paper Toss is an app available for the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It can be download free from the app store or you can pay a small amount to have an ad free app. Once downloaded, the app will take up 18.0MB of memory. Paper Toss was created by Backflip Studios.

~Paper Toss~

This game is based around the idea of sitting in an office and throwing crumpled up paper into a bin. It isn't as simple as just aiming and throwing though..Paper Toss takes it a step further. Each game (except one) includes fans which blow your paper to certain angles and basically make it more difficult for you to get a good aim.

You have various game options which stem from the main menu when you open the app. The high scores section can be selected and automatically stores how many hits you get in each game. So what are our options?

Well there are 3 modes of difficult aptly titiled easy, medium and hard. These games are based within an office enviroment which features "real office sounds". Basically the difference between each level is how far away trash can is from your bit of paper and the way the office is presented in terms of layout.

Other options include an airport departure lounge, a basement within a house, the toilets, a pub (where you need to aim upwards onto the bar) and the final game is located out in the street (possibly a back alley) where there are no fans. This game is probably most challenging as you rely on windspeed.

The idea is to follow the direction of the air (natural or from the fan). An arrow will show you which way it is going and at what speed. Basically you use your finger to flick or slide the paper in the direction in needs to go in and hope that you hit the trash can. A score board is located on the wall in each game and confirms your current score and best score in that particular game.

~My Experience~

This is one of the games I have on my iPhone 3 and it is severely addictive! I downloaded the free version as I can handle a few ads. The game is quick to load and responds well without sticking. It is easy to navigate from the main menu and very clear. When I first started playing, I eased myself in and started off with the easy game. I find that it does take some time to get used to knowing which way the wind is going to blow the paper but I've got to grips with it now and can increase my level of play.

The graphics in Paper Toss are very realistic in each game. Every environement looks real from the office cabinets down to the screen saver on the computers. The sound effects in this app change from game to game but are consistent and realistic. I will give a brief overview of each game and how I do in it.

~Easy~

A smply office corner with not too much going on. Printer noises can be heard and you can sense doors being opened but it isn't too irritating with the volume on medium. The fans switch between 2 cabinets to give a bit of variation and the trash can isn't too far from where you are sitting. I find this level very simple as I don't need to throw the paper far. If I get a bit side tracked and forget which way the fan is blowing, I occasionally hit one of my colleagues and am told off for it which is rather cool! My best score is 16 so far which took a while to reach.

~Medium~

This level is pretty much the same as above in terms of environment., You have a bigger space to work with and the trash can is further away in a corner. There is less chance of the paper bouncing off the side of the can and falling in which is something I miss from the easy level. Best score currently 10.

~Hard~

I have moved up to a bigger office with more colleagues and they have moved my bin to the other end of the office. Unless you had a good throw, this would be a challenge in real life. This level is definetly a step up from the medium as there is more scope to fail. The fans are placed at a raised level and this makes aiming the paper more difficult as you have to angle your aim slightly. I am not keen on this level as I get frustrated as I cannot get pass a best score of 2!

~Airport~

With overhead flight announcements being distinctly distracting, I prefer to mute the game whilst playing this particular game. This is quite an easy game to play as the trash can isn't too far away. Best score 10 so far.

~Basement~

A bit more difficult as the fan is discreet and the trash can is further away. I need to concentrate more on this game as the basement is quite dim and this makes it difficult to see where to aim the paper. Minimal noise on this one unless I accidently aim the paper too far to the side as it hits of a pipe (must have been prefilled with rocks during flight or something!). Best score 8 so far.

~Restroom~

Who on earth would want to play Paper Toss is a manky mens room? Yes complete with urinals, mop and brush and cubicles this is your typical restroom complete with err "water" noises. I don't like this game. The fan switches from being in the middle of the screen to behind a screen and makes aim very difficult. Well that combined with the bin being too far from me. Best score a measley 3.

~Pub~

Complete with bar stools and banter (and alcohol induced slurring if you aim the wrong way) this is a good level. It is a bit different as you need to angle the ball a bit more to accommodate for the higher placed trash can. Very realistic in terms of graphics and fairly straightforward. Best score 10!

~Street~

The sounds give the impression that you are sitting in a police car watching for criminal activity. Complete with graffitti adorned walls this is your typical American city back alley. The trash can sort of blends in with the background and is rather camouflaged making identification more difficult. I struggle with this game as I miss the appearance of the fans which I find guide me a bit better. I just cannot get used to having my paper floating about in fresh air and score a measley 2 on this game.

~Playability~

This isn't a game I would play when tired or in bed. It does require a good level of concentration and alertness in order to perform and get good scores. The paper is already crumped for you and you get directional arrows which show you where you are aiming. The windspeed varies from low numbers such as 0.28 all the way up to 5.97. The lower the number, the easier I find the throw as there is often little direction needed. The higher numbers require you to basically aim the paper away from the bin and allow the fan or wind to catch it and aim it to the bin.

It does take a while to get used to to the varying levels of windspeed but when you have managed to get a few of each speed (or near enough) in the trash can, it is a lot easier. I find it best to slide the arrow then lightly flick the screen upwards to aim my paper. This works in most cases and very little oomph is needed to send the paper flying into the air.

I like the cheering that occurs when I go past my high score on a game but the boo-ing when I fail it is nasty!

~Conclusion~

This is a challenging game and one I find myself playing when I want to concentrate my mind on something (or take my mind off something else). The varying levels allow more choice and you can work your way up and improve your aim at your own pace. I like the interaction from the graphics and sound effects as it does add something else to the game and makes me appreciate it that little bit more.

Overall I can recommend Paper Toss.

Thanks for reading :)