There is no doubt that the first step towards creating a successful video game is knowing what has been done before, what are the best experiences belonging to the genre that we want to try and, in general, the solutions found. by other developers to solve certain problems.
Well, the guys at Playgendary have perhaps gone a little further, borrowing (so to speak) the structure and some elements of the interface of Clash Royale, with its upgradeable cards and its four slots to open prize chests, mixing them with a shooting system. very similar to what we have seen recently in Gun & Dungeons, with its peculiar "stop and shoot" approach.
The final result is a title that is inevitably derivative in some of its aspects, which perhaps starts out a little slow but then manages to express itself well and glue us to the smartphone screen. Because? We explain it to you in Shock Head Review.
Gameplay: Stop or Mom Shoots
Set in a fantasy world, Crash Heads puts us in control of a group of characters who must make their way through arenas located within increasingly complex sequences, eliminating from time to time all the enemies present and advancing towards the " exit". All units at our disposal are ranged, that is, they attack from a distance, but they are divided into approximately twenty different classes, which will be gradually unlocked for the composition of a kind of deck composed of six fighters.
There are, therefore, archers, warriors armed with spears, knights with their war hammers, Amazons with knives, dynamiters who throw bombs, etc.: each class presents different characteristics in terms of damage per second, frequency of fire, range of fire. , etc. . At the beginning of each expedition we will have to choose a group of units and use them to overcome the first phase, after which with each stage completed we will be able to add one more team and thus form a large and tremendously effective group.
We were talking about a game similar to what we described in the Gun & Dungeons review, therefore an arena shooter that should draw inspiration from the mechanics of twin-stick shooters, but instead takes an approach that could be defined as "stop and shoot" , with our characters attacking as soon as we stop moving them around the stage: a choice that soon turns out to be in line with the balance of difficulty.
At first the long campaign In fact, Crash Heads seems quite banal, but then things become more challenging, when the enemies begin to be many and their attacks, when not avoided, inflict great damage, reducing the ranks of our team and therefore , decreasing the overall effectiveness of the shots. we throw. At that point, a meter that fills up by fighting and allows you to choose between some instant bonuses, for example fireballs that collide with opponents, could save us.
Structure: Clash Royale cards but not only
The game system designed by Playgendary takes on substance only after you have unlocked the first two areas, so the experience starts slowly and then grows, although at times there is a perceived risk of a formula destined to become a bit repetitive, or vulnerable to freemium mechanisms that at a certain point, inevitably, will begin to make themselves felt, pushing us towards grinding or microtransactions.
Well, the structure of Crash Heads provides some help in this sense, thanks to the event system with its rewards, but above all to the achievements and rewards that can be obtained by completing the different chapters, with the prize chests to open and the letters. "duplicate" that, in combination with a certain amount of coins, allows us to improve the units we have and increase their effectiveness in the field.
Technical realization
From a graphic point of view, the game defends itself very well, although it does not reach the cleanliness and artistic maturity of the aforementioned Clash Royale. Crash Heads characters are cute and very well differentiated, both in the colors and in the animations, while the scenarios take a bit of a toll because you only change the setting every ten missions and that's why it happens that you always feel like you're in the same arena, if you don't pay attention to the details.
The audio sector accompanies the action in an entertaining way, with "heroic" music that adapts well to what is represented on the screen, while the sound effects leave a little to be desired on the battlefield, due to aexcessive simplicity which translates, even in the different unpackings, into a general lack of mordant.
Conclusions
Tested version iPhone digital delivery app store, Google Play Price Free Holygamerz.com 7.5 Readers (5) 8.7 your voteCrash Heads is certainly very derivative in some aspects and there are interface elements practically stolen from Clash Royale, but after a few missions the curious "single stick shooter" style system developed by Playgendary becomes quite interesting, the challenge becomes more consistent and so Assembling Seeing the team gradually getting stronger on the fly turns out to be a very pleasant experience, especially when playing a game from time to time.
PRO
- The game takes off slowly but then it works.
- Very long campaign, many characters to unlock.
- Good graphics, good music.
AGAINST
- Very banal at first, it can be a bit repetitive.
- Freemium mechanisms make themselves felt at a certain time
- Weak sound effects
