Dairojo! Samurai Defenders Review

Closely following tower defense convention, Samurai Defenders tasks players with halting a near-endless procession of foes from invading a castle. Instead of attacking these antagonist directly, players assume the role of a battlefield strategist, dictating the construction of defensive forces to quell the incursion. Each of the title’s enemy types compel a different strategy: kite-flying Kunoichi require archers to dispatch, while burrowing ninjas succumb to a combination of spearmen and cannon fire. Although each ninja bequeaths a bit of gold when they are eradicated, gamers must still use manage their resources dutifully, especially in the first stages of each game. Later, a robust defense will offer a stream of wealth, allowing players to upgrade each unit, in an effort to compete with successions of stronger, faster and more numerous attackers.

Initially, making sense of Samurai Defenders wealth of information can be daunting. A deluge of statistical data from subsequent attacker type, upgrade prices, troop ranges usually occupies the top screen while the touch display reveals the frenzied conflict. Once gamers know where to look, decisions flow effortlessly, obliging a few scrimmage matches before the player can adequately battle the cascade of  Kunoichi. Wisely, Dairojo! allows players to use either the stylus or directional pad and buttons to command their armies- both methods become intuitive after a few minutes. Visually, the title looks like a vibrant SNES interpretation on the genre, with tiles filled with cherry blossom woods, stone walkway as well as delectably cute little ninja and samurai. Even when the dozens of troops are moving around the playfield, the game’s pace remains constant, never succumbing to the woes of slowdown.