The Top 24 Steam Games - The Reviews (Part 2)

Here are another six reviews, which make up Part 2, of my Top 24 Steam Games:

Death Spank For the mountain of "Diablo" fans who are still having to wait and wait for "Diablo III", there have been a few options. "Titan Quest" certainly helped scratch the itch, "Torchlight" lit the way and eased off the craving for a bit and now we have Death Spank. In a few words, this game is "Diablo II" or "Titan Quest" but with a cartoon-like edge and a comical twist. True to the mechanic of those other games you hack and slash your way through various enemies while exploring the world and gaining more interesting and stronger powers. It's highly satisfying and a great stress-buster! (Another perspective)

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Defense Grid As far as tower defense games go, I really don't think you can do any better than Defense Grid. "Plants and Zombies" comes pretty damn close for sure (not on here because I bought the retail version) but this game has got the genre down just right. Here's the drill: you plonk down towers in strategic locations, waves of bad guys follow a path and you watch as they get shot down to smithereens by your towers. The joy comes in using different strategies each time and seeing what works and what doesn't as you improve on your high-score. This game is an absolute blast! (Game Trailer)

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Drawn: The Painted Tower Ok, so here's the confession: I only bought this game yesterday and have hardly scratched the surface of it but just know it deserves a place in my Top 24. This game seems to blend in all the good elements from various hidden object games (but without the boredom), adds similar puzzles like the "room" puzzles of "Asada" (only making it more logical and interesting), wraps it all up in a mysterious Brother's Grimm like setting with a creepy Alice In Wonderland twist and brings it all to life with intriguing magical animations and absorbing, stirring sounds. Nice. (Hal computer droning on about it) 

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Flight Control (HD) It's often said that the most simple and basic game with the most basic rules can conjure up the greatest games. Well, I'm not sure if the word "great" can be attached to Flight Control but its very ordinary gameplay mechanic has certainly supplied me with hours of entertainment for sure. Here's the deal: colour-coded planes of varying speeds enter the screen and need to be guided to their respective runways. As the game progresses you have to handle more and more planes until you have a mid-air crash. Then it's game over. There are about 8 or 9 maps to choose from but, as I say, simple yet fun. (Gotta love that music)

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Mole Control Like "Flight Control", Mole Control comes with a very simple gameplay mechanic: it's "Minesweeper" with bells and whistles! In this case, rather than a boring flat 2D grid screen with a pointer, you get to control a device resembling a rounded dodgem car with an old vacuum-cleaner type hose attached. As you move around each lawn, you take note of the number revolving around your dodgem car to help you work out where the moles are hidden. You then suck up the mole with your vacuum-cleaner and hey presto. Admittedly, the game has not been fully tested by yours truly but it seems ok.  (Gameplay from a super-fast player)

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Mystery Case Files As far as I'm aware, the "MCF" games don't contain any real element of detective work. Judging from the one I have played ("Huntsville") they are essentially "Hidden Object" games where you stare at the screen for a length of time in order to locate the hidden objects that the game wants you to find. Once done, it then moves you onto different screens with a new set of objects to find. While boring to some, it can be compelling and does make you want to crack it to progress. Admittedly, I have not played Return To Ravensheart as yet but include it here because even though any "MCF" will do, Ravensheart has had the most favourable reviews in the series as they do add more dynamic gameplay to each title as it's added to the mix. (Snippets of gameplay)

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There you have it. Half way through with the next set of six to follow...