Epic Battles on a tiny screen. Does it work?
Developer: Hellbent Software
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Release Date: April 12, 2011
Score: 3.5/ 5
Go Ninja, Go Ninjago! No, it’s not suddenly the 80′s and Vanilla Ice isn’t rapping about anthropomorphic turtles. It’s the newest RTS (Real Time Strategy) from Hellbent’s LEGO Battle series. Welcome to your newest game/toy tie-in: Spinjitzu. It’s the classic tale of the Wise Sensei Wu, gathering warriors to fight his evil brother Lord Garmadon, the battle being for the fate of the world and golden LEGO weapons. It’s quite the plot, so let’s see if this thing lands any good punches.
The game gets some good hits in, with the cutscenes in the game being comically top notch. One of the stronger points of the game is a very well done, and quite long, single player storyline. The single player storyline is actually two stories. One is Wu’s collection and training of warriors to fight the Skeltons. The other is the Skelton army’s adventure to revive Lord Garmadon and steal the Golden Weapons. Another plus is that you can collect studs (like in other LEGO games) for new characters, some from the original LEGO Batttles DS game, as well as new items and other bonuses. In the Skirmish modes, you can battle the computer, or if you have a friend, battle them. In addition, a solidly designed single- and multi-player “jump in and fight” mode rounds it out. Nicely sized maps and different types of multiplayer games, with tweaks, allow for you to get your money’s worth out of the game.
In terms of balance, the controls are quite simple and easy to pick up with the introduction and “training” sections. Selecting groups is as easy as dragging a square around them with the stylus and then tapping at the location or object you wish to attack. However, when managing different groups in multiple fights it all comes down to your memory of where and who you set fighting whom, then selecting individual units to make them work cohesively in the fracas of battle. The cycling and selection become harder too.
The parts where the game takes a couple kicks to the face are the game’s graphics, music, and in-game context to achieve victory. There is quite a lack of animation, and if they got any more basic, the blocky characters in game would almost look like updated colorful throwbacks to old InfoCom RTS games. I have heard (and may agree) that this may be to allow for many characters battling, but I’ve seen the DS hardware handle quite a lot before it starts hurting for resources. The music lends itself to the martial arts motif, but it is nothing memorable. It doesn’t add to the urgency of any battle. Lack of hints in many of the battles can make for some frustrating gameplay, and make you ask why this info wasn’t in the introduction. Die-hard PC or console RTS fans will find the controls limiting, unless they are also die-hard LEGO fans or want to introduce the world of RTS gaming to their kids.
In the end, I think this game would have been easier to play on a Nintendo DSi XL. The in-game graphics and sound could be a lot better. But if your looking for some time-killing fun there is plenty to be had with LEGO Battles: Ninjago.
you want hints? i will give you a hint. don’t quit your day job Michael… or take a few more writing classes.
A bit harsh for someone who didn’t even take the time to proof read their own critique.