Anyone who ever took delight in setting up action figures with the sole intention of knocking them down can take similar delight in "Crush the Castle," which skips step one and lets players use a catapult, some projectiles and gravity-intensive physics to reduce shoddily built castles and their inhabitants to rubble.
"Castle" isn't a terribly demanding game: One finger swipe determines the angle and force of the catapult launch, and beyond the arsenal of projectiles (rocks, bombs, mystical potions) players accumulate by advancing through the game; that's all the strategy there is. But "Castle" provides as much enjoyment in watching the aftermath as it does in creating it: The physics are wonderfully conducive to chain-reaction collapses, and whether it's intentional or the byproduct of a shoestring budget, the sound and nonanimated animation of the inhabitants are genuinely funny in a "Monty Python"-esque way.
It's unclear whether Armor Games plans to support "Castle" with new levels: The 90 levels available now are fun but quickly mastered, and while the level creator is outstanding, an inability to share creations with others hurts its value. But even if "Castle" never updates again, the fun and amusement it provides makes an easy return on the $2 investment if you possess the mischievous state of mind that likely made its existence possible in the first place.
CRUSH THE CASTLE
- For: iPhone/iPod Touch
- From: Armor Games
- iTunes Store Rating: 9+
- Price: $2 (free lite version also available)
