Ragdoll Blaster, released nearly 2 months ago by Backflip Studios, puts the player in control of a cannon full of ragdolls with the not-so-simple task of hitting a red-and-white bulls-eye. Of course, there are plenty of obstacles standing in your way which will test your wits as you try to fire as few limp-limbed bodies as possible.

Ragdoll Blaster is a physics-based puzzler based on Ragdoll Cannon, a popular flash PC game. Ragdoll has found a significant following on the iDevice, with some players reportedly needing as few as 101 dolls to complete the initial release of 73 levels. Recently, Backflip Studios has released an extremely challenging new set of more than 30 levels, bringing the new total to 104 levels that are sure to keep even the most hardcore fans blasting away for some time.

Graphically, Ragdoll Blaster employs a very simplistic-looking, pencil-drawing-on-graph-paper style that we’ve seen used very effectively in games like Parachute Panic. Much like that game, the controls are dead simple. Touch the screen to bring up a crosshair. Drag your finger to move the crosshair, whose position in relation to the cannon determines the speed and direction at which the ragdoll will be blasted. The farther the crosshair, the more powerful the shot. Some levels will require a simple shot with precise aim and power. Many boards require the dolls to activate levers, crash through blocks, cause balls to roll, and several other actions in order to achieve the goal. The design of the levels clearly shows an attention to detail and meticulous planning on the developer’s part. While the game plays, an upbeat classical music track plays in the background, feeding into the tension of finding that perfect shot and the epic nature of the task at hand.

Each level indicates your current number of ragdolls used, as well as the best score you’ve previously achieved on that level. Each level also has a menu button and a reset button, which you will become familiar with very quickly. The menu button gives you access to the recently added sight line option and the level select screen. From here, you can choose to skip the current level and play another level if you get stuck. This screen indicates the best scores achieved on each level, as well.

Ragdoll Blaster is a ridiculously addictive game. It won’t take long to complete it, but you’ll spend hours upon hours attempting to lower your level scores. Backflip Studios has priced Ragdoll Blaster at $1.99, a very attractive price for a 5-Dimple standout.

Ragdoll Blaster gets our AppSmile 5-Dimple rating: