In a world where people can't seem to see eye to eye on even the most simplest of things, it's comforting to know that we can all at least agree on the fact that hamburgers are the world's most perfect food. In the undeniably charming platformer, I Was Hungry But There Were Cannons, you will find no shortage of this most awesome of culinary delights; it's just that getting them all won't be easy.

You wear a dashing top hat, you are teal, and while you have no arms, you have a huge mouth and some crazy powerful legs, all the better to nosh on your preferred flame broiled munchies with. Controlling your dapper blue green avatar couldn't be simpler. Use the [arrow] or [WASD] keys to move, duck and jump. For each level, you'll have to use your platforming skills to scarf down as many of the floating burgers as you can in order to reach the percentage goal of that stage. Nom enough burgers and you're off to find the scale which will unlock the exit for the level.

This would be easy except, as the title so aptly points out, there are cannons in your way. There are also a ton of spikes and color coded platforms that appear and disappear when you hit their corresponding switches. Add to this springboards that launch you skyward and an ego crushing report card that will have you trying to stuff this game under your bed before your parents find out about it and now we have one flame broiled, 100% beef party!

Analysis: There's plenty to admire stuffed into this digital quest for the all-mighty slider with plenty of ear, eye and twitch reflex candy to go around. From the moment you load up this game you are treated to penny arcade style music that forebodes the whimsical fun you have in store. Whilst you bob and sway lightly to the happy tunes the rest of the sound effects work over time to grind in the game's cheerful personality. It's hard not to smile at the sounds of hamburgers getting gobbled or the first time you hear our hero declare in his prim little voice, "Oh, I'm dead." Meanwhile, Hungry would remain largely mediocre in its graphical appearance except that the main character with his fancy hat and funky running style positively drips with charm.

Don't let the overflowing likeability draw you away from the fact that I Was Hungry is also a very respectable platformer. Less adept players will appreciate that there is a generous learning curve while there are a handful of truly challenging levels for veterans of the genre. Overall, though, the focal point of the level design seems to be not necessarily to provide the greatest challenge, but instead to maximize the fun. Add to that a control scheme that is tight and responsive and hit detection that has only a few minor flaws and you have a very solid platformer indeed. There's even a decent nod to replayability here with the letter grade ranking system.

I must admit that the game feels like it could have been paced just a hair faster, and more levels or even a level editor wouldn't have hurt in the slightest. Further, with the exception of the last level which can give one fits, hardcore platformer enthusiasts aren't likely to find this title all that challenging. But overall I Was Hungry But There Were Cannons is a well rounded platformer treat for casual and dedicated fans alike.

Play I Was Hungry But There Were Cannons