Crystal Defenders is a set of two tower defense video games developed and published by Square Enix. The games use the setting of Ivalice and design elements from Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, forming part of the wider Final Fantasy franchise. The games feature a selection of characters sporting Final Fantasy-based character classes, and play out tower defense scenarios against recurring series of monsters. The first game in the series is Crystal Guardians,[b] which was released in three parts for Japanese mobile phones in 2008. It was adapted for iOS later that year as Square Enix's first game for the platform, and renamed Crystal Defenders.[c] Under that name, the game was also released between 2009 and 2011 for Android, Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare, and PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable via the PlayStation Store. It was re-released with graphical improvements for iOS as Crystal Defenders Plus[d] in 2013. A sequel, Crystal Defenders: Vanguard Storm,[e] was released for iOS in 2009.
Fantastic Tower Defense Game para Android y iOS
All of the releases in the Crystal Defenders series are tower defense games composed of multiple stages, each consisting of a top-down view of a winding path. Stages contain 31 waves (or levels) of enemies that enter the area on the left side of the screen and walk along the pathway towards the goal, a set of crystals off the right side of the screen. The goal of the game is to protect the crystals from enemies by strategically placing troops of various "jobs", or classes, alongside the pathway to defeat the enemies and prevent them from reaching the other side of the map. Troops can attack within a circular area around them, moving to do so if required such as for sword-using fighters. Different classes attack in different ways, with some classes having effects such as causing damage over time or slowing enemies. Each enemy that reaches the crystals takes one; the game ends if twenty enemies reach the crystals during a stage.[4] Players can also summon Espers at the cost of some crystals to either cause damage or have effects on all enemies on screen.[5]
The first game, originally named Crystal Guardians and later renamed Crystal Defenders, was released in three separate chapters named W1, W2, and W3. The W1 chapter lets the player use the Soldier, Time Mage, Archer, Thieves, Black Mage, and White Monk jobs.[6] W2 introduces the Berserker and Dragoon jobs and adds a "crystal power" element to increase the power and speed of the player's characters.[7] W3 introduces the Fencer, Flintlock, and Tinker jobs, while removing the Soldier and Archer jobs.[8] The Wii version of Crystal Defenders is divided into R1 and R2 chapters and offers a new ranking system via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The R1 chapter offers the same jobs as W1 with the addition of the dragoon job from W2. R2 contains the same jobs as in W3 and offers the crystals feature previously introduced in W2.[9][10][11]
Crystal Guardians was released in three separate chapters for mobile phones in Japan in 2008. It was released on January 1, March 10, and May 5 for i-mode,[8][17][24] April 1, June 2, and July 16 for Yahoo! Keitai,[25][26][27] and June 19, September 4, and October 23 for EZWeb phones.[28][29][30] The game was released worldwide on December 23, 2008 as Crystal Defenders for iOS devices and iPods, with all three chapters releasing simultaneously.[31][32] This version was ported to Xbox Live Arcade worldwide for the Xbox 360 and via the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 in Japan on March 11, 2009.[9][33][34] The PlayStation 3 version was released outside of Japan on August 6.[35] It was released for WiiWare as two chapters, R1 and R2;[9] R1 was released in Japan on January 27, 2009 and elsewhere on April 20.[36][37] R2 was released in Japan on February 24, 2009 and elsewhere on May 18.[38][39] The game was also ported via the PlayStation Store for PlayStation Portable on October 29, 2009 and optimized for the iPad on July 1, 2010.[40][41] The game was released on Android on January 25, 2011, though only the W1 and W2 chapters were released.[42]
The series, especially Crystal Defenders, has sold well, with Defenders achieving one million downloads worldwide as of December 2012.[54] Overall critical response to the series has been mixed, however, with Defenders receiving poor reviews and Vanguard Storm earning a more mixed reception. Reaction to the presentation of the mobile versions of Crystal Defenders and its ports were mixed; Connor Egan of Slide to Play noted that it "faithfully reproduces the look of the Final Fantasy Tactics series", but found that the control scheme made the gameplay area feel small and cramped.[55] Sam Bishop of IGN criticized the visuals of the PlayStation 3 port of the game for being "minimally animated" phone graphics with a border around them, though he praised the music.[5] IGN's Ryan Geddes, however, in reviewing the Xbox 360 version, was much harsher: he dismissed the character designs as "generic looking" and the animation quality as "dull", though he had no complaints about the music or sound effects.[56] Tom Mc Shea of GameSpot had similar complaints about the Xbox 360 version, calling the character graphics "devoid of personality" with minimal animation.[57] The gameplay received similar reviews: Mc Shea criticized the game's artificial intelligence and termed the gameplay "lifeless and uninspired", and Geddes concluded that the "gameplay is stale and the concept is poorly executed".[56][57] Both Egan and Bishop were more positive to the game, feeling that it was a competent example of a tower defense game, but Egan felt that the "ungainly and amateurish controls damage the experience", and both reviewers found the game to be very difficult to complete.[5][55]
Crystal Defenders: Vanguard Storm received more favorable reviews than the original game. The presentation was praised, with Levi Buchannan of IGN terming the graphics as "colorful and nicely drawn" and Torbjorn Kamblad of TouchGen calling it "colourful, bright and cute".[15][58] Kamblad and the Slide to Play review both also commended the music as a highlight.[58][59] Reactions were more mixed to the gameplay, however: Buchannan praised the "fun" gameplay and deemed it superior to the original game, Tracy Erikson of Pocket Gamer praised the "solid gameplay and fine balancing", and Nick Gillett of The Guardian called it "simple, clever and compelling" with a higher level of polish and quality than other mobile tower defense games.[15][60][61] The Touch Arcade review, however, felt instead that it was a solid casual game with flaws, while Kamblad derided it as "a strategy game where strategy isn't important" and the Slide to Play review said that it had a solid base that the game failed to make the most of, with too many holes in the gameplay to recommend to players who were not Final Fantasy fans.[58][59][62]
While the gameplay is quite simple, you would enjoy playing it thanks to the see-saw battle between zombie-zapping plants and the adamant zombies. Featuring more than 45 types of plants and over 25 types of zombies each with its own special skills, it has also got the variety to keep boredom at bay.Along the way, you need to collect coins and grab as many achievements as possible as they can keep you ahead of the game. Using the coins, you can unlock power-ups to boost your game and the chance of dominating the battle.Key features: Classy tower-defense style battle
50 thrilling levels with a survival mode
45 types of plants
Over 25 types of zombies
Install: iOS and Android (free, offers in-app purchases)3. Green the PlanetShould you wish to try out a little different tower defense game, Green the Planet could be worth giving a shot. In this game, your ultimate task is to green the entire planet by decomposing the comets. When you decompose the comets, you will receive special items that are converted into energy by the spaceship.
Install: iOS and Android (free, offers in-app purchases)8. Swamp AttackHow about going on a long shooting spree to showcase your heroics on full display? Swamp Attack is about defending your home from invading monsters using a variety of guns and bombs. The tower defense game features a challenge mode that can get the most out of you as a shooter. And with the thrilling multiplayer mode, you can get a chance to differentiate your action-packed shooting from the rest.Swamp Attack features 8 power-packed episodes featuring 390 single-player levels and 40 multiplayer levels. As each level is designed with plenty of twists and turns, your shooting will remain a pleasing experience.One of my top picks of this game is a collection of defense tools like the reckless minigun, atom bomb, and shotgun that play a vital role in shielding yourself against vehement attack. Besides, the opportunity to equip yourself with bombs and guns as well as the chance to amp up your energy is equally exciting. Overall, Swamp Attack is one of the best tower defense games for Android and iOS.
Key features: The never-ending battle between monkeys
Exciting multiplayer combat
Three different game modes
Customize your bloons with decals
Install: iOS (free, offers in-app purchases)10. Steampunk DefenseLast but least, Steampunk Defense has got all the ingredients to ramp up your tower defense gaming. For starters, the game features riveting gameplay where you have to defend your land against powerful invaders. So, you are left with no option but to build a solid team of gunners, snipers, and ice towers. Once your team is ready and fully equipped, you will start your fight to shield your freedom.Another thing that makes Steampunk Defense so fascinating is the option to fight in different environments like tropical islands, deserts, and mountains. The game features as many as 24 defense levels and a challenging multiplayer mode that lets you battle against other players. Taking everything into account, Steampunk Defense is a top-notch tower defense game, which you would love to play on your iOS or Android device. 2ff7e9595c
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