Classic Gaming - #1

(Frankie) #1
Developer Sensible Software
Publisher Virgin Interactive
Genre Strategy
Released 1993

Cannon Fodder


T


his game is not in any way
endorsed by the Royal British
Legion. Cannon Fodder’s splash
screen cheekily referenced
the legal battle over using a red poppy
on its cover. Ferocious press coverage
called for a ban, making Cannon Fodder
one of the first ‘video nasties’ to be
criticised for tone rather than content.
Yet it had a much-misread anti-war
agenda. The infamous motto “war has
never been so much fun” was clearly
sarcastic, while its screen of new
recruits lining up before a hill studded
with gravestones marking the fallen
starkly highlighted the sad futility of
conflict. Yet beneath the poignant
imagery was a compelling (and, yes, so
much fun) mix of action and strategy.

There was something very powerful and
shocking about the first time you gunned down
an enemy and he didn’t die - instead lying there
writhing and yelping in pain, inviting you to put
him out of his misery. More thought-provoking
than many so-called moral dilemmas in
modern games.


CLASSIC MOMENT


GAMESRADAR PRESENTS CLASSIC GAMING VOL.1

Free download pdf