What was the promise of playing games in high-definition again? A sharper resolution was part of it, more details on the screen. In that respect, Starship Defense, a new game with a superb pedigree is the most HD DS game.
Starship Defense is the latest tower defense game from Q-Games, which, for fans of tower defense is probably all the knowledge needed. Yes, the people who made PixelJunk Monsters have taken tower defense to the Nintendo DSi and put it in outer space, adding a dash of Galaga or Galaxian.
Globe and Mail game columnist Chad Sapieha picks his five favourite DSiWare games, starting with...
Starship Defense (500 Points)
I don't think it's possible to spend $5 more wisely on DSiWare. This space-themed tower defence game is rendered almost entirely in fetching greys and whites (imagine pencil sketches in a notebook) and has players setting up turrets on speeding starships to protect them from alien invaders. There are a few minor innovations to the standard tower defence formula, such as cards that can be played to, say, unleash a roaming dogfighter, but that's not why you'll play. The beauty of Starship Defense is that it's polished, accessible, and offers about a dozen hours of fun. And did I mention you get it all for only five bucks?
Starship Defense is the best tower defense game on DSiWare. It's cheap, it's got great visuals, and the concept is different enough to make the game standout in a crowded genre. If you're looking for a good strategy game to download, this is it.
Presentation - 8.5
Graphics - 8.5
Sound - 8.0
Gameplay - 8.5
Lasting Appeal - 8.0
Overall -
Starship Defense isn't a game for everyone, but for those looking for a unique take on the tower defense genre, the game won't disappoint. The thrill of protecting your starship fleet is highly entertaining, and the gentle learning curve makes it even better. Starship Defense stands out as one of the most enjoyable on the DSiWare store.
That does look to tightly packed for a DS game perhaps. You can't know till you try.