Game Reviews

Nitropia - War Commanders

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Nitropia - War Commanders

Nitropia - War Commanders might look like a pretty standard tower defence game, but it's got enough going on under the hood to make it worth a second look.

The graphics might not sparkle quite as brightly as some of the best in the genre, and the story might be an afterthought, but there are a few tactical elements here that lift it above its slightly dull presentation.

It's certainly not a revolution, but if you're a fan of putting towers along a track, you'll find a solid and dependable little time-sink here.

Command the war

The big twist on the formula is the mech you take control of. This gives you a moveable tower essentially, letting you stomp around the battlefield to whomp the enemy as they appear.

You also get a series of special moves that change depending on the combination of mech and pilot you take out onto the battlefield. Some offer regeneration, others more offensive tactics, and some a mix of the two.

Each level sees you building a tower that produces resources. These can be used to heal towers and place time gates which slow enemies down. You also spend them in between rounds to strengthen your mechs.

The towers are mainly pretty standard fare, offering various different ranges and rates of fire. Some however generate little vehicles that you can send around the level, adding another layer of complexity and tactical consideration.

Movers and shakers

Nitropia - War Commanders is very much a case of iteration. It's built on the success of other tower defence titles, but adds enough that it feels reasonably fresh, even in this occasionally stagnant genre.

It might not have the fizz of an Anomaly, or the compulsion loop of a Kingdom Rush, but it's still enjoyable enough that tower defence fans won't begrudge the time they spend in its dark future.

Nitropia - War Commanders

There's enough fresh material here that Nitropia - War Commanders stands out in a crowded genre
Score
Harry Slater
Harry Slater
Harry used to be really good at Snake on the Nokia 5110. Apparently though, digital snake wrangling isn't a proper job, so now he writes words about games instead.