There are few things more terrifying than sentient balloons. Just close your eyes and picture them: living, moving latex orbs, floating down a path in your direction. Such is the basic premise of Bloons TD, which takes the charming, monkey-populated world of puzzler Bloons and moulds it to a tower defence formula. And, like its predecessor, it's already seen life on multiple platforms in a number of versions with smaller price tags attached – but while it's hardly an original formula, it works quite well.
The game follows the simple but solid design of laying out a path along which enemies proceed from one end to the other. You'll set up defences and obstacles along the way to stop them, attempting to survive 50 progressively challenging waves without letting a number of them cross the finish line. You can place or upgrade your units during or between battle as well, spending money that you earn by popping your foes. You can even change their behaviour and specify which balloons you want each to target; it's quite nice to have the option, though casual players can get by fine without it. The variety of weaponry is just enough to get the job done and feels fulfilling, with a few fun bonuses for those who persist long enough.
15 levels make up the package, though you'll have to unlock nine, and you can play on three difficulty settings. Thanks to this accessibility and the fun, warm presentation – bright and welcoming, though dated in appearance – Bloons TD is a great choice for new, young and casual tower defence players. Similarly, the interface is easy to master albeit a little difficult to navigate initially. Helpful instructions pop up along the way, but they frustratingly disappear after a very short amount of time, forcing you to speed-read through them. If you can't make it through an entire match in one sitting, you can save your game and come back later even after exiting the program, which proves quite the welcome option.
Conclusion
Bloons TD presents a simple, smooth, charming take on tower defence. 15 levels and three difficulty settings mean that it's accessible and substantial enough to make your purchase worthwhile. On the other hand, it does next to nothing that we haven't seen in just about every entry in the subgenre ever, nor is it the prettiest of them. Still, if you're looking for an introduction to this brand of strategy game and don't mind it not pushing the boundaries, this gets the job done well.
Comments 22
Is there any difference between this one and the free online version?
4.50 for 15 levels? Disgusting!!!
only 15 levels? The original could go up to 100...
Well I really wouldnt want to buy this when I can play it free online :/
The levels last for 50 rounds apiece, so it hardly feels lacking, especially when you count the multiple difficulty levels.
6? WHAT?!
I played way too much Wintermaul TD back during my Warcraft 3 days. I try playing other tower defenses, but there's never enough different to make them stand out to me.
So sad to see a rather lower score for this one. I expected more, but I think it could have done better as a 3DSWare title. I love Bloons, but I think I'll stick to playing the free online version for now.
I would've payed for bloons TD 3 or 4 but not this.
Oh, gosh, living, moving latex orbs?!
@soccer686 Actually this is closer to those releases than the original.
you can play balloons TD 4 (better graphics and options) for free online on ninjakiwi.com
How much dsi points is it?
i realize it may be scaled down but 6???
i just bought it and have been playing it all day. it is a great game and that score is totally unacceptable. if you have an ipod touch avoid this and get it on your ipod. otherwise you do not want to miss this as it is a great buy.
@reggie4life you can't play past 50 rounds like it claims (it just ends) you can accidently repeatedly buy the left upgrade of anything and waste money, and its a bit glitchy overall. its a very fun game, but these problems cant be excused
fun game
@Marioman64 LIES,LIES,LIES! you can too play past 50! Just frigging reset le machine at the medal screen!
its a addictive game
its better than the 1 and two online i mean seriously 6 8 would better
You people do realize that this is Bloons TD 3, right?
15 level? since when? i have it and its 50 levels and you can play free play just restart your system
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