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One of the first levels of the game, showing the grid and basic towers. Players also get to control their own units, with the goal of destroying the enemy castles. Picking units and sending them in waves against the rival castles is easily done, though it takes some getting used to. Once it is learned, it is easy. Each class of unit, for example soldier, will slowly level up the more it is used. With this, its stats are improved, its character model becomes fancier, and of course, its price increases. If the unit levels up to the maximum, a “Hero” unit of that type becomes available - expensive but very strong. This adds an aspect of strategy to the game, as sending the wrong units into the enemy towers will definitely lead to defeat. The first few missions of the game centre around this, Sir Foxwalde and finding out why he has attacked you. These missions also teach you how things work. It is possible to play without the grid seen in the screenshots, though for the placing of towers it is very helpful. Along the way various spells, units, towers and economy upgrades become available. The story is explained in loading screen monologues and conversations at the beginning of each mission, and is filled with quirky humor. It manages to draw players into the world, and keep them interested until the end. Players of the Majesty series should be interested here, too. Some of the enemy towers on a more complicated map. As this is only a preview build, balancing needs to be done, as some of the bosses are a little too strong, and some levels are a little to easy, but with a good while until release, this will likely be fixed. Regardless of bugs and balancing, the game is good fun, casual but not overly so. The multiplayer allows players to play as any of the three races on a variety of maps in free for all and team modes, which adds replay-ability to the game. As the actual missions are where the enjoyment is, multiplayer should be great fun with friends. Getting a chance to play with the units and towers of other races makes things interesting, too. Overall, Defenders of Ardania is shaping up to be a fun and innovative tower defense game. While not of great length, the multiplayer should sustain those who need more of the action. With variety in environments, towers, units and enemies, it is quite addictive. We here at Gamercide look forward to seeing how it improves by the time it is ready for release.

The map, with clans shown. From here you can choose who to play as. The visual aspects of Sengoku are beautiful. Being a grand strategy, interface design is very important, and this game does not fail to deliver. Menus are neat and tidy, buttons look great and are nice to look at. However, in some areas buttons or menus can be hard to navigate if you do not already know what you are doing. There is a learning curve, but it is not as steep as some games in this category. A big step forward in this game is the 3-Dimensional map. The rolling hills dotted with trees, the rivers flowing through them and the snow-topped peaks make the game look great. Players will find themselves zooming in just to look at the scenery. This also helps draw the player into the game, and keeps the game from looking like a “map”. This is a model. Sengoku is definitely centred around war. Through the course of a campaign there will be little time for peace, although war is not the only aspect of the game. Players can upgrade settlements with various buildings through their Master of Ceremonies, whom they can elect to their court. Along with the Master of Arms and Master of the Guard, the people of the court enable the player to keep their lands in check. These people can collect taxes, expand guilds, restore order to settlements and perform many other actions. The court menu makes it easy to control all these options. An example of the terrain. In war time, soldiers can be levied from their home provinces and combined into stronger armies. Players can also recruit retinues for characters or wandering ronin to fight for them. The levied troops can be disbanded and returned to their home province when the player wishes, and may be raised again if needed. Battles are fought on the campaign map. They involve standing an army in the same province as a enemy, and letting them do their business. Sieges are also handled this way: the player can either storm the castles or wait for the enemy to surrender. This game is not one for those who want to see battles up close; it is the strategy that makes Sengoku. Diplomacy is also present, although players can only handle it directly if they are the leader of a clan. There are many options available, aside from the arbitrary “Declare War” and “Offer Peace”. Players can also secure alliances through the exchange of hostages, offer marriages between clans, and many other actions. Players can also start plots against other clans, in which multiple characters conspire to attack at once. This really makes things interesting. Some of the terrain and interface. Sengoku is a very polished game. Unlike in the preview version, no bugs have been experienced this time. There are no serious defects to note. It all seems to just “work”. Sengoku looks great and is a joy to play. While the historical setting and limitations (the only playable area is Japan), along with decreased re-playability may lead to the game feeling less grand than others in the genre, it is evident that it was made with care, and this makes it stand out.