Ninjatown

At PixelJunk Monsters' price-point, Ninjatown would be an essential purchase, but as a full-price DS release it stops slightly short. That said, it's still a likeable, accessible and deceptively complex little strategy game, worth 20-odd quid of any pocket strategist's money, and it keeps on giving, feeding you something new and fun to play with right up until the fist-eatingly difficult last few levels.

It’s not going make your mind EXPLODE, but it’s a really nice little game with plenty of charm and a clarity of design that you rarely see these days - especially on the DS, stuffed full of shovelware as it is.

Ninjatown is an innovative take on the real-time strategy genre and a game that can be enjoyed by all. The simple nature of the design hides a wholly addictive premise; don't let the cutesy colours fool you into thinking that this is just for kids - there's a very engaging game beneath the distinctive and charming visuals.

This is as uncomplicated and fun as it can get. Fun for all ages.

The ten-minute skirmishes balance depth with accessibility in a manner perfectly adapted to the handheld, and it’s all wrapped up in a completely charming persona. [Jan 2009, p.105]

The presentation and love put into the character designs and attention to detail carries the simplistic and overly easy gameplay further than it should. If you want a gentle introduction to the genre, this is absolutely perfect.