Popcap Games just released their newest game, called Hammer Heads (download free trial here). This is a unique fantasy-based version of the venerable boardwalk Whack a Mole game, where the goal is to hit the gnomes with your hammer as they emerge from their holes - successfully doing so gives the user money to be used to purchase power ups. Missing enough gnomes reduces the player's health, causing the game to end if player accuracy is not good enough.
As one would expect, the game pace picks up in later levels, the gnomes are joined by up to 9 other hittable friends (some wear helmets, inflatable "Ploppy" needs to be hit 5 times, etc), and power ups and perils show up in the game, as do periodic mini-games, all of which deepen the Hammer Head experience. Along the way, the player can acquire up to 20 trophies for reaching special milestones, and can use the money to upgrade the speed or power of the hammer, as well as expand the players health. There is a "classic" option plus a marathon one where you play as long as you can until the gnomes overwhelm you.
This is clearly an action game, involving very fast mouse action, which may not work for many casual game players, but it is a polished game with good pacing, and a nice graphical and audio style. It's a little frustrating that Popcap chose to make the player progress saveable only every 5 rounds, but it does give some additional incentive to get to those levels before your game ends each time.
Verdict - a fun version of Whack a Mole - if you like fast-paced games, give this one a try.
Hints
Upgrade your hammer to the faster version at the earliest opportunity. It makes a huge difference in the mid-rounds when the gnome waves seem overwhelming. Then double the power of the hammer since you can take care of some of the more resilient gnomes with just one blow, but remember not to hit the gnome too many times since that will cause a Miss.
Screenshots
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