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When I was a kid a toy gun was just that, a replica of a gun that – if you were very lucky – might make some sort of noise when you pressed the trigger. With the technology available today, toy guns have developed much further, and now augmented reality is becoming more common as a way to enhance the experience. This is the case with the new Doctor Who Appgear Anti-Time Device, which is linked to iPhone, iPod Touch or Android devices to create a first-person shooter experience in your own home. There is also a second version of the toy which does not include a smartphone dock and is a more traditional toy weapon.
Firstly, I have to admit that it’s a source of slight consternation to me that the Doctor Who franchise should produce a range of toy guns when the character himself is generally against the use of such items, but that’s a matter far above the remit of a simple toy review. It is worth noting that although these are “guns” they are not called as such anywhere on the packaging and they do not “kill” the enemies you target; instead the devices fire a gateway that sucks them into the Time Vortex – although whether a child would pick up on this subtlety is not entirely clear, especially on the non Appgear version.
The Appgear device works by connecting to your smartphone or iPod which is held securely by a padded clamp to create a view screen on which you will see your current environment in real time. You will need to first download the free Cleric Wars app in order to play; when you initially run the app you’ll get the back-story of the Cleric Army, how it came to be in the Doctor’s self-imposed absence and how they created the device you’re holding (a Q.L.A. - Quantum Lokk Accelerator - Anti-Time Device) from scavenged parts of Daleks, Cybermen and Weeping Angels. The back-story is great and worth listening to even if you don’t buy the toy as the app is free, in fact you can even play the first level without buying the Q.L.A. device at all by tapping your finger to fire instead.
The game has two modes, an ongoing story or free play. I found myself opting for the latter most often as this allowed me to choose which enemies I wanted to fight from the selection of Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans or Weeping Angels. After a transmission from the Cleric Army the device will charge up and enemies will start heading for you in all directions; this is not a game you can play sitting down, as enemies will appear all around, so you will need to keep on the move to catch those creeping up behind you. An on-screen radar helps you to tell where to turn.
At first the enemies can look rather silly and almost disappointing as they are very small against the background of your real environment, making them seem unrealistic and detracting from the experience; however you quickly find yourself totally immersed in stopping their advances and forget about this issue. Most of the enemies advance gradually toward you, appearing larger and larger on the screen. The Angels, however, remain static, but every few seconds the screen turns momentarily black (as you blink) and they jump closer.
The Appgear device has an age rating of nine years and older. However, this seems unrealistically high, except in cases of children who are very easily frightened by the aliens. My three-year-old was interested and so I allowed him to have a go under supervision. He was able to play the game easily once I navigated the on-screen menus for him.
My 10-year-old niece also played with the device but found it rather dull after a very short time, as there is very little skill involved. So I doubt it would keep the interest of many older children for very long, although every adult who has seen the device has wanted a go. The device only functions with the smartphone/iPod attached (disconnect it and pressing the trigger or buttons results in an electronic voice saying “trigger press,” “button press”) so it couldn't safely be used in play fights with other kids – it is very much a single person experience.
For a Doctor Who themed “gun” that can be used for running around with other kids you would want the other non-Appgear Q.L.A. device currently being marketed, which features a Dalek eye at the top rather than the smartphone clamp and makes appropriate noises when fired. That toy also has different alien modes which can be selected with glowing buttons on the side and is recommended for age five and up; my toddler loved it.
The technology involved in the Appgear Q.L.A. device is undoubtedly impressive, but I can’t see the novelty value of it lasting very long and can imagine it being quickly relegated to the bottom of a toy box unless more apps are released in the future. However, there is so far no indication of this. The identically priced alternative Q.L.A. device that utilizes imagination instead of a smartphone to locate enemies seems less fragile and offers more flexibility in play than the enforced single-person experience of the Appgear device.
Despite the great idea behind the Appgear version, if I was spending my money on one of these devices this Christmas, I know which I would be buying.
Both Q.L.A. Devices were provided free for this review.
