Great Big War Game by Rubicon Development is another title in a line of charming turn-based strategy games that is simple to learn but packs many hours of entertainment. Sure, these tiny little soldiers are adorable to look at but killing is their business and business is often pretty darn good. You start out by passing through a series of basic tutorials but soon enough find yourself within the thick of it for real. The enemy can be hidden by a fog of war but, if you’re like me and prefer to have it terribly easy at first, there is an optional toggle that lights up the entire battlefield. After I got used to the game I meant to turn it back on, I really did, but I was having too much fun to notice. I’m not much of a warrior, obviously.
Name: Great Big War Game | Developer: Rubicon Development | Category: Strategy | Players: 1 & Multiplayer | Version: 1.1.6 | Size: 105 MB | Price: $2.99 |
As you move about the field and take over different areas of the map you will rack up coins. These coins are used to purchase different units, each one with its own particular talent. There are scout types, little bazooka slingers, a sneaky sniper (my favorite) and several others. I tried to load out a balanced army but also experimented with buying nothing but snipers or making a cheap army of grunts. A lot of the time I rolled over the enemy but sometimes I was sent back to base with my adorable tail between my legs.
The great thing about Great Big War Game is the ability to pause, stop and save a game at any point. So many turn-based games force a time limit or do not allow for saves at any time. Heck, a lot of Android games in general are not save-friendly or do not allow a save until a certain point is reached. Call me lazy, but sometimes I don’t feel like playing all the way to a certain point just to save a game. I like to take my time, experiment with different strategies or to explore. The addition and simplicity or Great Big War Games’ save files and even multiplayer make the game that much more attractive. The truth is that the game is not really anything new, but the delivery of the content and the art style make it completely worth the measly price. It’s also not a massive game, something I can appreciate as an owner of an 8 gig Nexus.
Some games attempt to redefine a genre or to do something completely new. While I can appreciate any effort at doing something different, it’s important for a developer to know its limits and to do stick to what it does well. I’ve played other strategy games that tried to twist the genre into something it’s not. Really, the turn-based strategy world is one of improvisation. Players love to play in different ways, sometimes several different ways. I know that when I play a turn-based game that I’d rather be challenged a bit more lightly so I can try a new tactic here or there, instead of being hammered over the head in the name of realism. I’m not really interested in recreating epic battles from history or to recap strategies that have been employed by famous leaders. I’d rather play in a world of fantasy and just have a blast. Again, call me lazy.
Great Big War Game does provide challenge, of course, but it can be toned down if someone needs it to be. Like I mentioned, I turned off the fog of war but still found myself guessing what the enemy was going to do. The AI wasn’t perfect by any means but it worked out strategies and went right for the throat. Even without the fog of war I lost many good men. Those poor, cute little souls.
The game also gets points for lack of blood and gore, something that wouldn’t work with the style of the title anyway. The characters are chubby and funny to watch, which is the perfect reason to have a soft-core approach to the violence. Children might pick up the game and think it’s made perfectly for them and parents wouldn’t have to worry about anything scary popping up. Heck, playing Great Big War Game is more like playing army on a Sunday afternoon. In fact I’d wager that playing army in real life leads to crying children more than this game ever would.
Pick it up if you like turn-based games with levels of difficulty to choose from. Pass and play is really easy and automatically hides the other side of the map until players meet. It’s a fun way to pass the time while hanging out before a movie or while waiting at the dentist’s office. Or, of course, it’s also a great way to put your kid to bed. Imagine how tired she would be after you beat her little army men to a pulp!
