It's easy to forget that real time strategy games extend beyond large-scale battles into titles such as Pikmin, Black & White and even Spore are real time strategy titles. The goal is to manage lots of "stuff" going on all at once while progressively heading towards a specific goal. Defendin' the Penguin is a great chance for a child to learn how to manage multiple events in a less-than-frantic environment.
At its heart, the title is your standard tower defense game; there are enemies incoming and you've got to place towers in the appropriate positions to defend the target they are attempting to acquire.
This is a game that's difficult to recommend for kids. It seems to be another one of those titles that doesn't quite seem to know its audience. Though the game is directed towards young children, there are many aspects that will likely be over their heads. There's nothing about Defendin' de Penguin that stands out as being predominantly bad, but at the same time, there's not really anything it does particularly well. It acts as something of a, "my first RTS", title; introducing young gamers to a genre they've likely never experienced before. Unfortunately, there's not a lot this game has to offer beyond that.
This is a game that's difficult to recommend for kids. It seems to be another one of those titles that doesn't quite seem to know its audience. Though the game is directed towards young children, there are many aspects that will likely be over their heads. There's nothing about Defendin' de Penguin that stands out as being predominantly bad, but at the same time, there's not really anything it does particularly well. It acts as something of a, "my first RTS", title; introducing young gamers to a genre they've likely never experienced before. Unfortunately, there's not a lot this game has to offer beyond that.
Presentation - 5.5
Graphics - 6.0
Sound - 6.0
Gameplay - 6.5
Lasting Appeal - 4.5
Overall -
Defendin' De Penguin is an interesting addition to the real time strategy genre even if it's very basic. For the kids, parents will have a fun time working to defend Little Blue's village from the hungry animals looking to take away his food. The one little penguin that you'll be moving on the map helps moves things along faster and can be used as a guide to teach children the various aspects of Antarctic.
Defendin' De Penguin is your basic Wii title that you see thrown out on the store shelves these days that comes with a $49.99 price tag. If you can find it on discount, then this title would be worth the price. However, there is one thing to be warned about, don't expect much depth in controls or story, it's what Defendin' De Penguin lacks in this respect and might do well with a sequel.
