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"[Game] Defend Your Castle (iPod Touch)"

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This thread has been linked to the game 'Defend Your Castle'.
Wed 10/03/10 at 23:46
Regular
"Ghosts Can't Die!"
Posts: 774
Defend Your Castle once started off as a simple web browser game where it was then rebuilt and given a fresh lick of paint and then finding its way onto the WiiWare service where it was again met with good response from fans and newcomers alike. Thanks to its simple gameplay and funny tone it was a fairly big hit. It came as no surprise to me then that the game had found its way onto the iTunes store while this time using the WiiWare version again rather than rebuilding another from scratch. It worked with a mouse, it worked with the Wii remote, but does it work with a touch screen?

On the right hand side of the screen is your castle and from the left side, waves and waves of stickmen come charging toward your fort in order to bring it down. In order to prevent this you must both grab and throw them into the air in which they’ll come crashing down with a splat or use one of a group of powers you’ll unlock as you progress further. It’s a simple idea and after a few minutes play you’ll know what to expect from the whole game. How does it handle though? Really well. The touch screen feels ideal for this game as you tap and flick enemies sky high time after time. I’d go as far as to say it’s my preferred control method.

There is an upgrade system that allows you to purchase better defence or train different types of battlers. Archers help by shooting arrows at the odd enemies, magicians allow you to cause explosions or convert enemies to your side, builders help rebuild any damage done to your castle and suicide bombers walk out and detonate when instructed. Converting enemies is key to raising your army and it is often vital to choose wisely where to train most of your men. Do you train more builders so your castle can heal quicker or do you opt for more archers to help keep swarming enemies at bay?

To keep things growing stale enemies vary slightly making you think on your feet as to how best to dispatch them. More powerful stickmen carrying lolly sticks eventually turn up as do bomb rolling ones and even giants who cannot be picked up and instead need to eliminated via one of your powers. The variety is very limited and it would have been nice to see some more types to keep things interesting.

In terms of new features, there isn’t much to differentiate this version from the WiiWare one with the small exception of an achievement list. It may seem like a small addition, but it’s definitely a good one giving incentive to continue playing as well as providing unique challenges that may require a different approach. As for what has been taken out, the game offers pretty much the same as it’s bigger brother beside multiplayer. Obviously with the one small screen it would be near impossible to have four people huddled around flicking stick men in the air and while it is a shame that you won’t get to experience this with others, it doesn’t ruin the overall package too much.

Visually the game looks great with everyday objects being used for the enemies and a crude looking background consisting of torn up cardboard. While it may look very basic, seeing a stick man with a button for a head pushing a roll of caps toward your castle never fails to make you smile. The music too is just as humorously done. It’s easy to assume based on the triumphant music that kicks the game off that the game will likely have massive explosions and more heroic tunes. What you get however is a very basic beat that plays during rounds along with sound effects that literally sound like they’re being made by a guy in a sound booth. Try and make an explosion noise with your mouth and you won’t be far off. It’s ridiculous yet oddly suiting to such a weird game.

I really enjoyed this on the Wii and when three friends got involved it was especially fun to compete for the top score. Even though the multiplayer has been stripped for the iPod version there’s still a good time to be had and the quick session-like nature of the game makes it ideal for a handheld device. For the cheap price it is, it’s definitely worth a look.
There have been no replies to this thread yet.
Wed 10/03/10 at 23:46
Regular
"Ghosts Can't Die!"
Posts: 774
Defend Your Castle once started off as a simple web browser game where it was then rebuilt and given a fresh lick of paint and then finding its way onto the WiiWare service where it was again met with good response from fans and newcomers alike. Thanks to its simple gameplay and funny tone it was a fairly big hit. It came as no surprise to me then that the game had found its way onto the iTunes store while this time using the WiiWare version again rather than rebuilding another from scratch. It worked with a mouse, it worked with the Wii remote, but does it work with a touch screen?

On the right hand side of the screen is your castle and from the left side, waves and waves of stickmen come charging toward your fort in order to bring it down. In order to prevent this you must both grab and throw them into the air in which they’ll come crashing down with a splat or use one of a group of powers you’ll unlock as you progress further. It’s a simple idea and after a few minutes play you’ll know what to expect from the whole game. How does it handle though? Really well. The touch screen feels ideal for this game as you tap and flick enemies sky high time after time. I’d go as far as to say it’s my preferred control method.

There is an upgrade system that allows you to purchase better defence or train different types of battlers. Archers help by shooting arrows at the odd enemies, magicians allow you to cause explosions or convert enemies to your side, builders help rebuild any damage done to your castle and suicide bombers walk out and detonate when instructed. Converting enemies is key to raising your army and it is often vital to choose wisely where to train most of your men. Do you train more builders so your castle can heal quicker or do you opt for more archers to help keep swarming enemies at bay?

To keep things growing stale enemies vary slightly making you think on your feet as to how best to dispatch them. More powerful stickmen carrying lolly sticks eventually turn up as do bomb rolling ones and even giants who cannot be picked up and instead need to eliminated via one of your powers. The variety is very limited and it would have been nice to see some more types to keep things interesting.

In terms of new features, there isn’t much to differentiate this version from the WiiWare one with the small exception of an achievement list. It may seem like a small addition, but it’s definitely a good one giving incentive to continue playing as well as providing unique challenges that may require a different approach. As for what has been taken out, the game offers pretty much the same as it’s bigger brother beside multiplayer. Obviously with the one small screen it would be near impossible to have four people huddled around flicking stick men in the air and while it is a shame that you won’t get to experience this with others, it doesn’t ruin the overall package too much.

Visually the game looks great with everyday objects being used for the enemies and a crude looking background consisting of torn up cardboard. While it may look very basic, seeing a stick man with a button for a head pushing a roll of caps toward your castle never fails to make you smile. The music too is just as humorously done. It’s easy to assume based on the triumphant music that kicks the game off that the game will likely have massive explosions and more heroic tunes. What you get however is a very basic beat that plays during rounds along with sound effects that literally sound like they’re being made by a guy in a sound booth. Try and make an explosion noise with your mouth and you won’t be far off. It’s ridiculous yet oddly suiting to such a weird game.

I really enjoyed this on the Wii and when three friends got involved it was especially fun to compete for the top score. Even though the multiplayer has been stripped for the iPod version there’s still a good time to be had and the quick session-like nature of the game makes it ideal for a handheld device. For the cheap price it is, it’s definitely worth a look.

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