Blade Guardian Review

Argh, like endless runners before it, it seems that tower defense be the new order o’ the day when it comes to mobile gamin’. I’d have no qualms with that but since there be so many that come out each month, it’s impossible to wade through the muck and find the real keepers. Aye, I can’t complain though, as those games do help me pass the time, and a few o’ ’em actually choose to change the formula up. Blade Guardian is one o’ em new ones this here old pirate recently discovered.

The Graphics of the So called Guardian

To make it plain and simple, the game looks good and often opts for a gritty looking version of a lot of 90’s titles. The varied levels make for a diverse experience, and each of the layouts is unique, so you won’t feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over again. The only problem is that the game also tends to clutter up the User Interface, and it ends up looking like some sort of futuristic shooter. While this isn’t a negative, it becomes evident that this wasn’t really designed with fluidity in mind.

The model animations are good though, and it would seem that this game doesn’t really take up much of your resources either. Everything is smooth from the get go, and the general look of the game is appealing as it tends to mix up the grays and whites with more colors as you progress.

The Gameplay

So here’s the thing about this title; it doesn’t really have much interest in holding your hand. Unlike games today which throw you into a long tutorial, Blade Guardian opts to throw you in the muck as soon as you start up. This can be an exciting experience when you start the game up, but those that aren’t familiar with games like these or get easily frustrated through the trial and error gaming method may be easily annoyed by the lack of a tutorial. Of course, the game isn’t impossible to beat; it just doesn’t teach you all the things you need to know to fully immerse yourself enjoyably into the game.

For the gamers that are used to this style of play, they will surely enjoy the rest of the game, as it kind of reminds you of games like The Witcher, which only contain the barest of tutorials. Of course, to mix this formula up a bit, the game chooses to tack on new units you can save over each game. That isn’t to say they’re bonus score units, no, as you only get them if you shoot them transport ships. That’s a unique twist which is sure to keep you on your toes. As they literally fly over your base as you are fighting off the enemy. Once they’re free, you can choose to throw them into the fray, or just wait until they get upgraded.

The Verdict

In the long run, the game is very appealing to those that love the tower defense genre. It’s well designed, challenging and plenty of fun. However, those that are new to the gameplay style should steer clear as this game doesn’t have a short learning curve. And for a dollar per download, that just might be a risk they may not be willing to take.