Game Reviews

AR Defender 2

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AR Defender 2
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| AR Defender 2

One of these days, developers will harness the power of augmented reality to bring us the cool virtual reality games that were promised to us in the '90s.

Until that day arrives, we'll have to content ourselves with the current, and somewhat gimmicky, augmented reality games that appear from time to time.

So long as a game isn't built completely around this AR gimmick, it can be quite good and stand on its own merits, but if it ventures too deep into the pool of current AR technology there's little hope for it.

AR you ready?

While AR Defender 2 can be a bit heavy-handed in its integration of AR technology, it's a perfectly fun tower defence game with solid, fun, and frenetic action smattered about each level.

You begin by building turrets to protect your main base. These turrets can be upgraded with better guns and a better firing solution (or both) to create more interesting ways to slaughter your opponents.

Enemies come in a set number of waves per level, and they run the gamut from squishy infantry troops to lumbering, armoured tanks capable of withstanding everything that your towers can throw at them.

It's nothing terribly groundbreaking, really, and AR Defender 2 sticks closely to the familiar tower defence gameplay. But - as the old cliché goes - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Modern ARt

Yet try to fix it AR Defender 2 does with augmented reality. After creating your own AR Card (a simple pattern of black dots on white paper), you can play AR Defender 2 on any surface that can support the card.

In reality, you're not playing on that surface, as whatever terrain and features it may or may not have don't factor into the level in any way.

Instead, you're simply changing the background of the game from stock graphics to your coffee table, desk, or a choice patch of grass. It's cute at first, but the novelty of killing things on your coffee table wears off quickly.

Thankfully, AR Defender 2 doesn't require you to use AR at any point in the game, and most levels are equally enjoyable (if not more so) when played on the game's animated 3D backgrounds.

The whole nine yARds

All told, AR Defender 2 is a solid - if not particularly innovative - tower defence game that looks as good as it plays.

If you're looking for a challenging but casual tower defence game, or one that allows you to wage a pitched sci-fi battle on your dinner plate, AR Defender 2 certainly won't disappoint.

AR Defender 2

Solid tower defence gameplay with a nifty, if entirely skippable, augmented reality feature thrown in for good measure
Score
Matthew Diener
Matthew Diener
Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.