Jump to Medieval - Time Geeks

The last time we checked in with the Time Geeks they were trying to help us find pop culture references in asynchronous Where's Wally? style multiplayer battles. Now they're attempting to protect mediaeval villagers from alien invasions.

There's less searching here, but a lot more action, as you try and build defences, fire arrows, and use magic spells to make sure the human race is still around once the dark ages have brightened up a bit.

I'm timing you

Each level in the game is slightly different from the last, adding new challenges and styles of play that you need to adapt to. To begin with you have a pair of archers defending a fort from a horde of oncoming, slightly loveable alien beasts. You need to fire arrows into their heads.

After that you're shepherding villagers to safety, building defences, training knights, and generally trying to make life a nuisance for the pesky alien invaders who are tromping all over your village.

In spite of the cute graphics - a feature common to all of the Time Geeks games - things are actually pretty tough. One wrong move and you're going to get overrun by aliens, and they'll start murdering the population in no time at all.

The game rewards forward-planning and sensible plans, but it's quick to punish if you leave a gap in your defences or don't pay enough attention to the bigger picture.

Life was tough in the old days

This incursion into the past isn't always as much flat out fun as previous titles in the series, but its varied levels and meaty challenge mean you'll still find yourself wasting plenty of time with it.

It can be frustrating, but it's a game where learning from your mistakes usually means you'll complete the level and move on the next time around, and there's always the compulsion to push on and see what happens next.

Jump to Medieval - Time Geeks might not have the instant pick-up-and-play style of Time Geeks & Friends, but it's just as charming, often as entertaining, and in its own ways just as innovative. This is a trip into the past that's worth taking.