It has been speculated for years that one day the planet may come under attack from space invaders. While in reality, this may seem a little far fetched, a new game for iPhone and iPod touch brings this intergalactic face-off to the palm of your hands.
Overview:
Cartoon Defense: Space Wars (App Store link – free) is a tower defense and simple strategy game, designed for iPhone and iPod. Your mission is simple, fend off attacking ships and other enemies, and keep your planet intact.
Starting the game is a slightly lengthy process, as the developer has included several multi-page walkthroughs and directions. The walk through does contain some helpful information, but on the small screen of the iPhone, it can be challenging to read all the details and interpret all the instruction.
Once you are started on your first level, gameplay is still a challenge. There are several buttons, statistics, and options across the top and bottom of the screen which distract from the main gameplay area and can be difficult to read. Controls are somewhat confusing, especially if you don’t thoroughly read through the tutorial at the beginning.
CD: Space (as its indicated on your home screen after download) features 2 gameplay modes. Scenario mode allows you to start at the ground level, taking on only a small group of attackers, and build from there. Challenge mode, on the flip side, sends you into space at a high level of difficulty. Both have their appeal, but for new players, you will most definitely want to start in scenario mode.
As the name indicates, graphics in the game are very cartoony and 2D – almost like paper cut-outs . The games sounds are also very cartoon-ish and almost cheesy at times. If the controls were more manageable, and you weren’t prompted to upgrade (via In-App Purchase) every time you start a level, it would be a good game for the kids on a long car ride.
Verdict [rating: 2.5]
Cartoon Defense: Space Wars is just another fish in a sea of tower defense style games. The complicated controls, over-abundance of in-app purchase prompts, and crowded game screen hold this back from being promising. With so many similar games in the App Store, games really need to be at a high level, and Cartoon Defense: Space Wars just did not make the cut.
Pros:
- Free
- Concept is fun
Cons:
- Complex control
- Lack of (native) iPad support
- Excess of “upgrade” prompts
- Cornered into paying to advance beyond the first few levels
Cartoon Defense: Space Wars, free in the iOS App Store.
