Bring The Noise Gaming: May 2015

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Windows Phone Game Review: Demon Defence

Tower defense games are undoubtedly a major staple when it comes to quick, fun-to-play games both on mobile devices as well as on PC. The approach tends to be the same from game to game, with slightly different features and tactics. "Demon Defence" follows this pattern as well.

"Demon Defence" has a storyline that revolves around building monstrous creations to fend off "demons" that are intent on attacking a little girl on a rocking horse. The story, is without a doubt, lacking. The whole concept can be lost as there isn't really too much elaboration on this element of the game. Thankfully, for what Demon Defence lacks in plotline, it makes up for with gameplay.

Basically, the player starts off with one "tower" which is in fact a laser. This laser does light damage while firing at a quickened pace, but its effectiveness truly runs it's course very early on in the game. However, as the game progresses and based on level performance and difficulty, the player has the chance to purchase and upgrade other tower models in the "shop" section of the game. The curency is blue diamonds, and these diamonds are won at the end of each map as well as randomly dropped in levels (though it is completely rare) by killing demons.

Along with this slightly different approach to the typical "tower defense" game, there are obstacles in the maps that allow the player to gain more money as well as "reveal" hidden towers. This process is also quite random. (So don't get your hopes if you are trying to destroy a rock or a tree in order to get that super awesome tower, because it probably won't happen.) Not to mention the clearing of said objects can be quite a stressful ordeal when also trying to manage the demon waves, which in turn get progressively stronger.

On top of all of this, the developers did a very nice job of making sure to add on more content in "episodes," but yet again, the higher up in the levels you go, the difficulty rises exponentially.

All in all, Demon Defence does a great job of carving it's name into the long list of worthy tower defence games. However, if patience or re-thinking tactics isn't your strong suit, this game will most certainly beat you before you have the chance to beat it.

For more information on Demon Defence, or to download the game and play it yourself, please visit:

Windows Phone:

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/demondefence/aac202ed-8da9-4e5a-b157-c22bd69617e5

Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fireflygame.demondefencegoogle&hl=en

iOS:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/demon-defence/id686408740?mt=8

Be sure to check out my other content!

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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Android Game App Review: Hay Day

Farming games and simulators are a genre all to themselves. With titles such as Harvest Moon or Wild Season, just to name a couple, it's quite easy to see why farming games can be so addictive. "Hay Day" can add it's name to the list of good farming games and has many features to back it up.

Hay Day is a great little app that can be downloaded for the Android persuasion of mobile phones and tablets, and it is most definitely worth checking out. First of all, it is in fact free, so anyone who wishes to download can do so without that initial investment. Once downloaded, Hay Day will immediately win the player over with it's "happy" theme and colors.

The overall feel of the game is one of absolute enjoyment. It's a very simple concept to grasp hold of right away, and there is even a short tutorial that guides the user through the very first steps and basics of the game. This tutorial's guide is none other than a cute little scarecrow that pops up all over the farm to indicate to the player what needs to be done next. Once the tutorial is over, the player is then presented with a style of free-form play, and that is where the true fun begins.

As with most "building" game apps, there is a timed production and also a premium currency (in this case it's daimonds/white gems). One great feature of the premium currency is the fact that the game itself actually gives many opportunities to the player to acquire the gems rather than having to actually shell out any dough. This can range from "lock boxes" found on the farm map, to side quests, to leveling up, and achievements, plus so much more. This is an incredible feature for those of us out there who are pinching our pennies, but still looking to enjoy a nice relaxing game app.

While the "free" premium currency is a plus, the major portion of enjoyment that comes from this game is the ability to sustain your farm with an extremely large variety of animals and products. From chickens to cows, to bread-making and delivery trips, there is always something to do in order to keep the player coming back for more.

As mentioned above, there is also an achievement system that gives you bonuses in experience and materials as you complete them, and this is yet another great way that the game keeps the player's interest. On top of the achievement system there is also a "Facebook" connection option as well as a worldwide market for materials and crops, so if supplies end up running thin, there are always more options to get what's needed.

Overall, "Hay Day" offers a great a experience and delivers on that experience by keeping the player engaged with so many things to do, but also balancing itself out so that the user doesn't get overwhelmed. Not to mention the "free-form" play model offers that feeling of freedom and "do as you wish" playstyle that so many apps nowadays seem to lack. If you are looking for a great mobile app that is both easy on the pocketbook but overflowing in fun and de-stressing, Hay Day is a must!

For more information on "Hay Day" or to download it for your Android/iOS mobile device, please visit:

http://supercell.com/en/games/hayday/

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Windows Phone Game Review: Dragon Mania Legends

Windows Phone Game Review:

Dragon Mania Legends

If you're in the market for a game app on Windows Phone that is fun, easy to play, and has a great "social media" feature, then "Dragon Mania Legends" might just be what you are looking for.

"Dragon Mania Legends" is a neat little game app that focuses on dragon breeding and dragon raising. It has a very pokemon-esque feel to it, as well as some pretty standard app features (i.e. timed production, "swipe and collect," "pay-to-play" model, etc). However, what really makes Dragon Mania Legends stand on it's own two legs, is the actual breeding system. The player starts off with a fire dragon and there is a tutorial that will guide the user through the breeding process. With so many different combinations for dragon breeding and the fact that the game is regularly updated, it goes without saying that Dragon Mania Legends will definitely require some daily attention.

As mentioned above, this game will require some dedicated/regular attention pretty much everyday if progress is to be made. However, that's not necessarily such a bad thing. The game does a great job balancing itself out between what the player can do now, versus what the player can unlock later. One feature that helps create this balance is the battle system. The user gets a finite amount of battle charges each day, and these charges are recovered over time, but the amount time isn't so great that it discourages gameplay for later on the same day. Another great way that Dragon Mania Legends controls its gameplay is the actual "pay-to-play" model. While the option to buy the "premium currency" (purple crystals) is completely available from the start of the game, it's not completely required. Dragon Mania Legends does a splendid job of giving the player these resources through various ways, such as the questline or achievement system, as well as Facebook involvement.

While Dragon Mania Legends is a surefire way to get attention, and keep attention, there is a bit of a downside to the game: the questline. Being intended for the market as a "game," there needs to be a certain freedom that comes with the title. That being said, the questline in Dragon Mania Legends is quite intricate to the point where, if the player were to follow the quests in order, then there is almost a complete lack of imagination when actually playing. It's almost like being on auto-pilot mode. This detriment, although small or insignificant at first, can cause a loss of interest over time for some users. However, in the same breath, this type of intricate attention to the questline could be perfect for keeping the younger gamers on track so that they don't lose all focus on actually progressing through the game. So, one could call it a double-edged sword.

Overall, Dragon Mania Legends by Gameloft is an absolutely wonderful game app to have on hand for those times when little ones might need something to focus their attention on. With a great "pay-to-play" model and a social media feature, it's also a great option for adults and anywhere in between. Just be wary not to fall into the "braindead" zone when following the questline.

For more information on "Dragon Mania Legends," or to download the app and play it for yourself, please visit:

http://www.gameloft.com/windows-phone-games/dragon-mania-legends-free/

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Blog: http://btngaminggamereviews.blogspot.com/

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