OSGGFG 3.1: Tee Wars

TeeWars was noticeably absent from the last edition of the Open Source Gamers Guide to Free Games: OSGGFG part 3: The Platformers. I apologize, it was an oversight on my part. To make up for it I am giving the game full review here.

TeeWars is an online multi-player platform 2d shooter. Thats a mouthful, game play involves running, jumping, shooting and dying .. a lot.

TeeWars' motto is Cute little buggers with guns, and cute little buggers they are. You can customize your avatar's color and shape in a variety of ways to make your Tee unique, although they all end up very reminiscent of a certain pink Nintendo character who shall remain nameless.

The control system in TeeWars utilizes the keyboard for movement and the mouse for aiming your weapon and grappling hook. Yes, that is right I said grappling hook. Not only can your Tee Jump and Double Jump, he has the ability to latch onto any platform, wall or overhead area and swing or ascend up the line. Even a passing enemy can be grabbed and brought closer under the thump of your giant mallet. This leads to some thrilling acrobatic game play once you overcome the initial problem of teaching your hands to operate independently.

The arsenal of weapons available to your cute little cuddly avatar are lethal. Available weapons run from an over sized mallet, a single shot rifle, Grenade Launcher, Machine gun, and a Shotgun to the deadly katana sword. Ammunition is limited for each weapon giving the game a very good sense of balance. Even a Tee with his mallet can be a match for a bazooka toting nemesis.

Power Ups in the form of Hearts shields and weapons are spread liberally throughout the maps to help you recover health and build up shielding for protection.

Game play matches include you against the world death match, team death match and capture the flag, All are a blast to play, either over the Internet or on a LAN with a few friends. Emoticon balloons as well as a full chat system are implemented to let you talk smack to that one Tee who has fragged you 20 times in a row before you were able to obliterate him with a well timed shot.

Graphically the game is 2d with detailed independently scrolling backgrounds and clever level design. Characters are a simple design but lovingly detailed, changing expression when hit or are jumping or falling.

Sounds are cute and surprisingly fitting given the amount of carnage you are in the middle of. Adorable little taunts and giggles are heard as you disappear in a poof of stars after being hit by gunfire. Happily you respawn with a hammer far from the scene of your last death. There is no music, as of this writing but there is so much going on it would likely be distracting.

Overall, TeeWars is way too much fun packed into a tiny package. I give it 4.5 out of 5. I take off a half a point for the lack of a soundtrack. Go get it now you won't be disappointed. TeeWars is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

MrCopilot

Update: New Version Released with New License: Teewars Becomes TeeWorlds, Stays Fun