Game Reviews

Colosseum Defense

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Colosseum Defense

Although the name might conjure up images of Roman gladiators fighting with ferocious beasts for the entertainment of the baying crowds, Colosseum Defense is more about keeping hostiles out of the titular building, rather than what occurs within its walls.

Placed in charge of a magical cannon, your character is tasked with repelling wave after wave of orc attackers. Initially armed with a rapid-fire knife projectile, you can purchase additional armament options such as ice axes, bombs and an automatic crossbow.

In addition to this, you can enhance your stopping power with magical spells, which are devastatingly effective but take a while to recharge before you can deploy them again.

Are you not entertained?

Your standard weapons are subject to similar limitations - you have a finite amount of ammo and once this is depleted you have to switch to another weapon or wait a short period for a restock.

Thankfully, you can use the gold you earn during each mission to upgrade every facet of your arsenal. Everything from firepower to reload time and the regularity of critical shots can be improved, and this process becomes essential as you face off against increasingly potent and numerous foes.

Free to decide

Colosseum Defense is a free-to-play release, but its reliance on in-app purchases is refreshingly restrained. Granted, there are items that can only be acquired using Stars (which cost money) but it's perfectly possible to advance quite far into the game without having to reach for your credit card.

You can purchase additional gold in this manner, but all this does is break the (perfectly fair) difficulty curve and rob you of potential enjoyment and challenge.

Colosseum Defense's gorgeous 2D visuals help maintain your interest on a purely visual level, and the way in which you can constantly keep upgrading your firepower, spells, castle, and even your character means that the game has more longevity than its occasionally repetitive gameplay might suggest.

While it does become a little samey after a few hours, Colosseum Defense is engaging enough to justify your attention - and shows that in-app purchases don't have to be overbearing.

Colosseum Defense

Attractive and addictive, Colosseum Defense strikes the right balance between offering a compelling free-to-play experience and allowing the player to augment the gameplay with IAP
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Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.