Double Down Reviews

(This review is a collective review for both Plants vs. Zombies and Plants vs. Zombies 2 . This is because I played through the second game first, and it would be difficult to review the first game having already encountered the improvements that the second game brought. That said, this review applies equally to both given that the core game is the same.) Plants vs. Zombies was one of the mobile games I had heard a lot about before trying it out for myself. I assumed, because of the clout surrounding it that it would be too simple and repetitive. It isn't the hardest game - and it is somewhat repetitive, but I underestimated the addicting nature of a fresh tower-defense formula. Every match works basically the same, although different maps change elements to affect your strategy. The main flow is always the same - the zombies come from the right of the screen and advance left. You place plants on any tile and they 'aim' right. Plants attack the zombies in a variety of ways,...

I first learned of this game by seeing someone play it in a class. I can't say I wasn't warned that my homework and other obligations would fall by the wayside. But my desire to play this mix of rpg ad puzzle overcame the warning and I was soon addicted myself. This game is a perfect formula of a simple addicting matching game with subtle, but significant, rpg choices. The aesthetic is simple but enjoyable - a board of pieces falls from the top and you must match coins, skulls, swords, shields, and potions. It's straightforward what each does - coins give you gold, potions give you health, shields give you defense, swords give you attack power, and skulls are your enemies (and therefor give you exp). You can trace a line in any direction, including diagonally, and by tracing three or more of an object you create a match. Once the tiles disappear, a new set falls from the top. Simple right? The game first gets you with it's not-all-that-original puzzle formula. But then ...

This game will instantly intrigue you with its distinct and clever visual style - a clay world. It has similarities to stop-motion animation, but the fact that the game is an animated brings the textures and forms together into something special that shocks the eyes. In addition to everything, and more or less everything, looking like a product of clay, the direction that the developers took makes it somewhat ridiculous in the best way possible. The game's premise is one that I love: silly, nonsensical and fun. You are enlisted by a utopia-fairyland of little clay things to recover their lands from invading meanie clay monsters. The ridiculous aspect becomes apparent when you see the clay monsters for yourself, as .... words cannot describe some of the bizarre creatures you encounter. I suppose I could give examples of something not weird in order to compare with the weirdest. The first clay creatures on most levels are little colorful bears, that although look like clay, resemble ...

This innocent-looking game turned out to be one of the most challenging and rewarding puzzle experienced I have yet encountered on Android. I began by trying the free version, which has limited turns of play unless you watch promotional videos or wait a bit of time. It was not long before I bought the full version and engaged a full-on Triple Town addiction. The premise is rather simple - you place objects on a map, and three like objects combine to make a higher ranking object. This is where the game derives its name from - you build a little town by putting objects in triples. What makes this formula work is the fact that there is no end to your tripling. Every game starts with small items, and at first play it may seem that it would get old. But what you learn upon continued play is the depth at which proper object placement requires. Each completion of three objects requires three objects of a higher tier. It is a bit difficult to explain with words, but basically creating the best...

Rymdkapsel was first introduced to me by my brother. I was initially intrigued, as both a strategy-game lover and interpretive Tetris fan (Rampart, Fortress, maybe others). Once I finally got the game for myself, I found it to be quite the experience. In Rymdkapsel you build several resource facilities in order to build defensive structures to defend against increadingly difficult waves. It is somewhat like a tower defense game, but it differs in that the majority of the play takes effect planning and building, as there is only a single sort of defensive structure. The twist that Rymdkapsel adds is that each building/facility (resource, material, garden, kitchen, quarters and defense) must be placed on the interstellar map in the form of tetrominoes, and connected by corridors. This element makes the game unique, and since completing activities relies on the speed that minions (automated workers) travel between facilities, the layout you build has consequence.  Each facility has a ...