We’ve been following the development of Project MALLOW (Free) for a while now, as its intuitive marshmallow-slinging mechanic combined with its abundant charm and deceptively sinister storyline looks like a sickly sweet winning formula. With over one hundred levels of rock-hard puzzle platforming to overcome in this obstacle-strewn candy factory, Project MALLOW aims to join the likes of Super Meat Boy and Downwell ($2.99) in the hardcore, retro and infuriatingly difficult gaming renaissance of late, and has today launched on the App Store as a free download, supported by an interesting lives-based monetisation system.
Even with the comical backstory of Paragon Confections turning into a weapons factory – and hence the reason why the eponymous protagonist MALLOW must escape from their once safe haven – it’s immediately evident that Aggressive Combustion have put a lot of time and thought into every aspect of the game, and aren’t merely relying on the humorous premise. The graphical style harks back to retro platforms of old, and while the low-res aesthetic may not be to everyone’s liking, the attention to detail in the backdrops is mightily impressive. Being able to customise MALLOW with hats and accessories is nice, and collectibles to be found amidst the saws, flames and other nefarious obstacles will give completionists something to obsess over even after the impressive amount of base levels have been cleared.
However, the monetisation method of Project MALLOW is one of its most interesting features. With the game being free to download, you start off with a limited number of lives, which will likely evaporate rather quickly as you die (a lot). When you hit rock bottom and your marshmallow regeneration powers fade, you have the option of watching an advertisement for an extra eight lives, putting forward a dollar for a bonus 100, or paying $4.99 for an unlimited number of retries. This means that gamers who may be short of funds can rely solely on ads, and those wanting a premium experience can pay the $5 and be done with it. A monetisation method that is considerate of the customer but also ensures the developers get paid is always nice to see, especially in the ever-changing dynamic of the App Store. I’m not being mallow-dramatic (sorry!) when I say Project MALLOW looks like an essential download, so be sure to check out the game on the App Store now, and sling to our forum thread for more discussion on Project MALLOW.
