Age of Hammer Wars Review

Age of Hammer Wars is an interesting take on the action role-playing game. You control a hovering robot of sorts. Your task is to rid the world of various creatures and robots in order to save the world. To accomplish this task you will be swinging various weapons in complete 360-degree space. You will need to judge your distance accurately though, as the enemy can take you out by simply ramming into you.

Completing each stage will net you some cash. This cash is then used to upgrade your weapons, beef up your armor, or buy helpful items like health potions. Be careful in what you choose to equip though as different weapons have different impacts on the enemy. Your hammer may not be the best choice when dealing with worms. This fact adds in just a bit of strategy as you try to figure out what weapons work best on each creature.

The presentation is gritty, yet fabulous. The lighting effects in deep tunnels really add to this overall polish. New weapons and armors are clearly visible and add to making you look like a badass. Each stage brings on a new unique setting that helps keep the progression interesting and fresh. Even the different weapons have an effect on your movement. The audio is a bit lacking with sound effects feeling a bit to 8-bitesque. A little more attention to making the audio better would make this one well-rounded presentation.

The issues creep up with the difficulty. This is not a difficult game in the sense that it is mentally challenging, or that your skills are put to the test. The difficulty comes in from controls that are overly inconsistent and unfair enemies. One stage will have you battling a worm like monster that can attack you from a mile away. Other stages take your life away if bounce into a wall. This is all hampered by controls that make you feel like you are trudging through a pool of pudding one moment, and then gliding through the weightlessness of space the next. It all adds up to a game that feels extremely unfair when it comes to challenging the player.

Age of Hammer Wars has the beginnings to be a good game, but that good game is buried under inconsistency. The $1.99 is a bit steep for a game that unfairly beats the snot out of you. If you are a gaming masochist then grab this one now, otherwise hold out for a price drop or two.

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