iPhone Games: Bloons TD Review
Bloons TD is a fun little tower defense game that is sure to captivate any player for endless hours of play. With cute graphics and sound, easy to learn gameplay, and increasing challenge level to level, Bloons TD is a great value for its nominal price.
Bloons TD players are charged with the task of defending lives from militant balloons. Using a well-stocked arsenal of balloon popping devices - including the option for a dart wielding monkey - players must keep the balloons from their base, protecting their 75 lives from balloon death. With five different tracks, 50 challenging levels, and three different difficulty options for each track, there is no end to the fun to be had.
The graphics and music totally set the lively mood for Bloons TD. The concept of popping balloons may seem childish, but the detail given to each of the weapons you have at your disposal, in addition to the clever balloon spawning pattern, makes this seemingly kid-only game something that anyone will want to play. Though the carnivalesque music can get a little tedious, players have the capability to instead choose their own playlist from their iPod library.
Basic gameplay couldn’t be easier to learn. Players are given the option for twelve different weapons. Money is given at the start of play, and then earned by popping balloons throughout the game. The more balloons popped, the less money you spend on weapons, and then the more total money you will accumulate. There is a leaderboard option with OpenFeint, which really adds to the value of the game as well.
Weapons are placed by tapping on your weapon choice, then dragging and tapping into place on the playing field. A great bonus feature is the ability to adjust your control system between Drag ‘n’ Drop and Drag ‘n’ Lock. Too often with tower defense games you end up with misplaced arsenal as the result of accidental placement. With the Bloons TD control options, you can choose to lock your choice into place before committing to its placement. Players beware, though, because during gameplay, the Drop ‘n’ Lock option can become time consuming, especially as play advances and the balloons come at you fast and furiously.
Another fantastic feature is the Play button. Instead of being limited on time for choosing your weapons, you can take the time you need to make the right choice and placement, then hit the play button when you are ready to start the level. You can continue to place weapons during play as needed and as additional money is earned.
The balloon spawning is really what makes this game a challenge. During the earliest rounds of play, its in the player’s best interest to purchase and place tower options, or use the money earned to upgrade existing towers. In the early rounds the balloons come more slowly, and aren’t as difficult to pop. As the levels advance there are balloons that have more balloons inside them, so that when they pop, additional balloons are released. As the speed of the game picks up, and the number of balloons increases, the challenge level really soars and the game becomes rollicking fun!
Bloons TD is really a fantastic game at a great value. Given the number of levels available, and the OpenFeint connectivity, the replay potential is excellent. If any drawback is to be mentioned, it would have to be the lack of a retry option. No matter how many levels you’ve completed on a track, if you lose all 75 of your lives, you have to start over from the very beginning. With 50 levels available, that can be a bit frustrating. Overall, however, Bloons TD is sure to be a hit!
Pros:
- Cute, quality graphics
- Addictive gameplay
- iPod play capable
- Excellent value for the price of the game
Cons:
- Lack of restart at last completed level can be frustrating
Score: 10/10
Price: $2.99