KINGDOM RUSH (IRONHIDE GAME STUDIO; $2.99)

I’ve heard it said that explaining music to the deaf requires a unique patience, a keen ability to articulate and a willingness to help others. It is because I have these qualities in abundance that I will now nobly volunteer my time in an attempt to explain this month’s game to you. Kingdom Rush is a classic tower defence (TD) that enriches the genre with an upgrade tree, hero units and consumables. It is fathomable that you have played Plants vs. Zombies and, in doing so, feel that you understand the TD genre. Do not fool yourself. While the same basic premise exists — prevent the enemies from reaching the end of the path to which they are bound — this game requires talents beyond thumbing drops of sunlight to power your garden. Kingdom Rush requires that each horde of enemies be countered with an appropriate placement of towers, that they be split strategically into smaller groups with an arsenal of summoned units and that the individual commanding such a campaign can keep their cool under pressure.

Veteran TD players round the world have come to expect that, in addition to selecting the necessary composition of towers, one must also divert enemies through the construction of wandering paths. Luckily for those of you who chose coitus over Command & Conquer, this game provides preset paths and defined build spots. Certain levels have multiple routes, however, so the designers were, in a small way, able to pay homage to this basic quality of the genre.

There are four kinds of towers to choose from and each is upgradeable. Predictably, the towers have individual strengths and weaknesses depending on the enemy at hand. Consequently, the game produces what was, for me, a relatively simple rock, paper and scissors-style strategy. I have every confidence, however, that those of you reading this will find the puzzles sufficiently complex and therefore entertaining.

For those of you looking to pass the time on the bus, at work, or in class, I would suggest you check out Kingdom Rush. Although redundantly simple for someone of my talents, Kingdom Rush will suffice as an introduction to those unfamiliar with real TD games.

By Theron Davis