Once the meter reaches a certain level, players can summon their hero and wreak havoc on the battlefield. Defeating enemies directly builds up a multiplier and fills a special meter. Not only does the option add a dynamic element to the gameplay, it also increases the likelihood of victory. Fortunately the game circumvents some of that with the option for direct control.Īt any time in the game, players can select a turret or gun and take direct control of it. The inherent repetition makes it difficult to complete multiple missions in a row, as tedium quickly sets in and detracts from the campaign. If you see planes ready to join the fight, build more anti-aircraft guns. If you see ground units next up, build more turrets. The enemies come in waves, so players have time to prepare for each new threat. The principles of tower defense apply-build defenses, upgrade and repair structures, and decimate a bunch of enemies along the way. There's a bit more variety once the battles actually begin, as players use all kinds of turrets and guns to prevent enemies from invading their respective toy boxes.

I certainly had more than four toys as a kid. Thus, many players are restricted to just a few heroes, which goes against the spirit of childhood nostalgia. The game could use more than four default heroes, but not everyone is willing to purchase a special edition of the game or spend $5 on individual heroes. Joe and He-Man, but the micro-transaction approach takes away from the core experience. The premium heroes tout familiar names such as G.I. Completing the first few levels of the campaign unlocks all four, but additional heroes can be purchased with real money. There's Kaiser Wilhelm, Phantom, Star Bright, and Dark Lord, and they run the gamut from 20th-century soldiers to fantasy warriors. The game includes four main heroes, each with their own stylized army.

Small soldiers game art