Toy Soldiers (XBLA) Review

• Game: Toy Soldiers
• Developer: Signal Studios
• Price: 1200MS Points ($15.00)
• Release Date: 3/3/2010

It’s rare to find an Xbox LIVE Arcade title that feels like a steal at $15, but Toy Soldiers is indeed one of those games. Toy Soldiers is a tower defense-esque strategy game, but at the same time, it is something completely different. The familiar theme of defending against a specific number of enemy waves is still apparent, but now you can actually take control over towers, tanks, and airplanes.

The major difference between Toy Soldiers and every other tower defense game is the fact that you can take literal control. If you place a gunner, you can control it; if you place a mortar, you can control it. Rinse and repeat with every other ‘tower’ and you’ve got the key that makes Toy Soldiers special. It’s not completely original, but it is a breath of fresh air from all the generic tower defense games released as of late. Most maps also contain planes and/or tanks that will sit idly [towers still fight when you don’t control them] unless you actually take control.

Difficulty is something that is often a problem in tower defense games, but Toy Soldiers is pleasantly accessible. There is an array of difficulty levels to satisfy those looking for a casual experience to those looking to kill themselves; Elite Mode unlocks after beating a level and consists of every tower doing absolutely nothing unless you take control; Elite Mode is brutal and will test even the best multitaskers. I did not know this at first and wondered why I was getting raped despite placing many towers. Keep that in mind if you are not a fan of rape.

It may not be as nice as Miranda's, but close-ups of butts seem to be a popular trend.

After finishing the campaign, you will unlock Survival Mode and Campaign+, which grants you the ability to play through the story as the enemy. Survival Mode is exactly what you expect; a mode where you attempt to last as long as you can while fighting off an endless enemy onslaught. Other than that, you have online and offline multi-player and it is just as much fun as playing single-player, though matches can end in a heartbeat or get stuck in a never-ending standoff.

Toy Soldiers is a wonderful surprise that actually makes its higher price seem like a bargain. The game does so many things well while showing subtlety at the same time. The art design does a great job at delivering that kid’s room feel while never shoving it in your face. Toy Soldiers is a game that everyone should try and many should buy; the only thing I hate is the fact you have to sit through an excruciatingly long load screen every time you load the game.

Before I leave, I want to make quick mention of the Facebook game: Match Defense: Toy Soldiers. Match Defense is a puzzle-matching action-esque game and surprisingly fun. I know that both the XBLA and Facebook games contribute to the ‘war,’ but I cannot say I know what happens when all is said and done; either way, both games are fun and that is all that really matters [the Facebook game is free and you can’t beat that].