iPhone App Review: Geo Defense Swarm
Posted 03-10-2010 at 03:58 PM by Nghtmr9999
Reviewing platform: iPhone 3GS White
Game: GeoDefense: Swarm ($1.99 at time of review)
I am a HUGE tower defense fan. I used to play sunken defense all the time in Starcraft. My favorite variation was the map with long, narrow passageways. I usually went with the horizontal sunken lines strategy, and it usually worked for me. I was very pleased to see there were many tower defense games in the app store. One tower defense game stood out from the rest. Most other tower defense games in the app store took the linear approach where the creeps traveled along a predetermined path. The game I found utilizes “free-build” game play, where towers can be built anywhere on the field, unless they completely block off a pathway to the exit. This game brought back memories of all those hours playing sunken defense, free-build style, and I will be reviewing it for you today.
Graphics: 10/10
I can sum up the graphics of this game in one word: stunning. The visuals are excellent, the animations of the creeps and projectiles are fluid, and the particle effects are incredible, similar to the graphical style of Geometry Wars. GD: Swarm is very pleasing to look at for extended periods of playtime. Not to mention the effect the explosion has on the background is super cool.
Gameplay: 9/10
This game has fantastic game play and requires more strategy than other tower defense games. The player needs to think ahead and strategize the most efficient way to route the creeps through their tower maze of doom. There are many types of towers at your disposal, including your basic projectile tower, all the way to a laser tower that tears through creeps. However, the creeps have their tricks too, with tiles that make creeps go faster, and even tiles that heal the creeps! There are 30 levels in all included with this game spread across three difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard. If this type of tower defense is not your cup of tea and prefer the linear type, you should take a pass on this game.
Audio: 9/10
I will split this into two parts: sound, and music. The sound is basic, but very well done. Nothing too complicated, just a simple projectile sound for each tower and a sound when a creep explodes. If the player is leaking creeps like crazy, a voice counts down your lives when they drop below 10. There is no music in this game. However, you are able to use the iPod feature of your iPhone or iTouch and play it in the background. Find some intense techno song and go crazy!
Replayability: 8/10
This may or may not be one of the downfalls of this game. What can you do when you complete all the levels comfortably with all your lives? Aside from downloading extra level packs, not much really. Maybe try some challenges where you do not upgrade towers. Depending on who you are, this might be a 10/10 or a 5/10. I just took a nice, round average.
Story: 0/10
No story mode, but who needs one?
If you are an open-build tower defense person like me, you should really consider buying this game. It will make all of your free time disappear and will magically drain your battery. If you are still unsure about purchasing, download Geo Defense free. It is just like Geo Defense: Swarm, only linear.
Final Review Score: 10/10. Buy this game. NOW!
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nghtmr9999
Game: GeoDefense: Swarm ($1.99 at time of review)
I am a HUGE tower defense fan. I used to play sunken defense all the time in Starcraft. My favorite variation was the map with long, narrow passageways. I usually went with the horizontal sunken lines strategy, and it usually worked for me. I was very pleased to see there were many tower defense games in the app store. One tower defense game stood out from the rest. Most other tower defense games in the app store took the linear approach where the creeps traveled along a predetermined path. The game I found utilizes “free-build” game play, where towers can be built anywhere on the field, unless they completely block off a pathway to the exit. This game brought back memories of all those hours playing sunken defense, free-build style, and I will be reviewing it for you today.
Graphics: 10/10
I can sum up the graphics of this game in one word: stunning. The visuals are excellent, the animations of the creeps and projectiles are fluid, and the particle effects are incredible, similar to the graphical style of Geometry Wars. GD: Swarm is very pleasing to look at for extended periods of playtime. Not to mention the effect the explosion has on the background is super cool.
Gameplay: 9/10
This game has fantastic game play and requires more strategy than other tower defense games. The player needs to think ahead and strategize the most efficient way to route the creeps through their tower maze of doom. There are many types of towers at your disposal, including your basic projectile tower, all the way to a laser tower that tears through creeps. However, the creeps have their tricks too, with tiles that make creeps go faster, and even tiles that heal the creeps! There are 30 levels in all included with this game spread across three difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard. If this type of tower defense is not your cup of tea and prefer the linear type, you should take a pass on this game.
Audio: 9/10
I will split this into two parts: sound, and music. The sound is basic, but very well done. Nothing too complicated, just a simple projectile sound for each tower and a sound when a creep explodes. If the player is leaking creeps like crazy, a voice counts down your lives when they drop below 10. There is no music in this game. However, you are able to use the iPod feature of your iPhone or iTouch and play it in the background. Find some intense techno song and go crazy!
Replayability: 8/10
This may or may not be one of the downfalls of this game. What can you do when you complete all the levels comfortably with all your lives? Aside from downloading extra level packs, not much really. Maybe try some challenges where you do not upgrade towers. Depending on who you are, this might be a 10/10 or a 5/10. I just took a nice, round average.
Story: 0/10
No story mode, but who needs one?
If you are an open-build tower defense person like me, you should really consider buying this game. It will make all of your free time disappear and will magically drain your battery. If you are still unsure about purchasing, download Geo Defense free. It is just like Geo Defense: Swarm, only linear.
Final Review Score: 10/10. Buy this game. NOW!
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nghtmr9999
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