UPDATE: June 17th, 2009
With the launch of iPhone OS 3.0, ngmoco has released a version 1.2 update for Star Defense.
[more after the jump]
On top of being 3.0 compatible, the latest build now lets players send and receive challenges via push notification. The update also includes a new planet, Rhydon, in challenge mode.
The update coincides with the launch of the Plus+ Network, which ngmoco co-founder Neil Young describes as the love child between Facebook and XBox Live, according to the ngmoco website. The network will allow players to keep track of friends, climb global leaderboards and participate in challenges.
Here's a video demo of Plus+ Network from ngmoco:
The most recent milestone from ngmoco is a 3D tower defense game with a universe of appeal. A true showcase for the platform, Star Defense brings strategy to the iPhone with a package that gamers of all stripes will find thoroughly enjoyable.
At its core, Star Defense maintains a legacy of App Store tower defense gameplay similar to that of Fieldrunners. Players must defend their tower using strategically chosen weaponry against increasingly incessant waves of enemies called the S'rath. Should your foes endure the gauntlet of firepower, they'll advance along the twisting path to the tower and deliver their attack. If enough enemies break your defense, the tower will be defeated, allowing the S'rath skunks to sack the planet. It's a simple formula, but one that has proven very entertaining.
3D tower defense at its best.
Where Star Defense evolves is through an effective merging of gameplay and smooth 3D presentation. To be sure, this is a looker, but also a thinker. Players manipulate the battlefield planets using multi-touch gestures, zooming, pinching and rotating the game space to strategic effect. The controls are perfectly suited to the turbulent pace of the game's more difficult scenarios, and allow for the precise deployment of defenses to any point on the planet. Double-tapping each unit brings up the options to either sell or upgrade the weapon, and our only difficulty with controls came when trying to upgrade our defenses in a hurry. That said, Star Defense earns top marks for sporting some of the most natural and intuitive touch controls we've experienced.
Players' arsenals consist of five types of weapons that can be upgraded three times for a total of 15 possibilities. Each delivers a unique type of damage, and with particular enemies invulnerable to certain elements, a careful mixture is required to stave off the S'rath menace. Weaponry can be bought and upgraded using the credits gained by defeating the opposition, and there's a good deal of intense strategical planning to be had in finding the most effective combination of attacks. We can't say enough about the game's finely tuned pacing, delivering a well-tuned difficulty curve for both methodical perfectionism and all-turrets-blazing casual gaming alike.
There is great replay value in obtaining achievement commendations, and it's a blast competing with your friends’ scores via Facebook and Twitter. We spent 2 hours on the first level chasing perfection (if just one S'rath slips through the fold, that's too many for us). And with seven levels in all, we'll be busy for some time. The promise of future in-game expansions attests to a dedicated development team. And for $5.99, this is an investment that you'll feel good about. Simply put, Star Defense gets a well deserved "Must Have." Download this one today.
8 Comments
Can you listen to iPod while playing this game?
Hi there,
You cannot currently listen to the iPod while playing. I think there are plans to add a store with access to downloadable content as well as versus multiplayer once the OS updates to 3.0. I haven't heard anything about plans for music support yet. It would be awesome, so let's hope.
First review I read here that don't fit what the game really is. This is a very weak td game... Only thing that deserves to be mentioned is the fact it is a 3D td, nothing else. The sound is weak, it is very boring... Far away from fieldrunners and from geo defense. Overpriced and overreviewed. I trusted all reviews I read here... Shame... This is not a must have... maybe when it is 0,99.
Hi Krikaoll,
Thanks for your input!
With almost a week since my review, I must say that I'm still enjoying the game immensely. I agree with you about the game's hype, but I don't feel that hype in itself warrants demerit (provided the game lives up to it!). I can certainly appreciate your preferences--and the two titles you mentioned are great ones--but I also believe that there's enough worth mentioning in this one to give it a definite shot.
Thanks for your thoughts, Krikaoll! Hopefully we’ll gain back your trust soon : }
StuartK, It is a pleasure having a so nice feeback and from you. Very kind of yours. I know you are enjoying the game, as you said, but don't you agree with me at least at the sound part of my critic (must be a little improved. Example: you have bullet tower with a sound of bean cannon...)
I hope the same about what you said ;)
my best regards!
Hi Krikaoll,
Thanks for your response!
I think your point about the game's sound is a perfectly valid. The example you use, of "bullet towers sounding like bean cannons," is indeed true. The weapons are a bit small sounding, and I can understand how this might be a turn off for some. That said, I think in the overall presentation (music, menus, etc.) the sound is very befitting.
In the end, the less grand weapon sounds didn't detract from my overall experience. I can appreciate how this might be an issue for others, and I'm grateful for your input in pointing this out!
All the best -
My Plus+ username: TimRattray
This game is far too difficult. Abysmal. 0/10. Developer 0/10. Dont waste your money, I'm getting pretty sick of this incompetence. Most iPod developers clearly dont have what it takes to make games.
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