Trolls vs Vikings Review

Look at those screenshots. Doesn't Trolls vs Vikings look very familiar? It'd be easy to callously dismiss it as a Plants vs Zombies clone but that would be wrong. Trolls vs Vikings has more going for it than just that and it's worthy of players' time.

As the name suggests, players control the peaceful Troll folk as they attempt to fend off invading Vikings. Throughout, Trolls vs Vikings offers some gorgeous visuals. There's generally quite a bit going on at once but each character is well animated and quite appealing to look at. The game is divided up into seasons too, ensuring there's a different style to each time of the year.

Gameplay is, predictably, much like that well known plant based game. Players must protect the left hand side of the screen from the invasion stemming from the right hand side. This is done through placing a number of offensive and defensive units in the way of the Vikings. Units are quite varied. Some are simple projectile based trolls, firing shots at the invading forces, while others have more going for them. One hulking troll can move around, dragged by one's finger rather than restricted to the same spot, plus he can withstand plenty of damage. Others can breathe fire or drag enemies under the ground to kill them.

Alongside such units are the powers of the gods, enabling one to cast spells such as hurl a giant rock at enemies or fling a fireball at them. These are available in limited number with more purchased via some rather pricey in-app purchases. Similarly, new unit types can be purchased either through grinding gold in-game or by spending real money, with certain types restricted solely to in-app purchases. Trolls vs Vikings does overdo this side of thing somewhat with it potentially turning into a fairly expensive affair for the impatient.

That's unfortunate as Trolls vs Vikings' foundations are pretty solid. It might be a familiar format, but with a few twists it's still fun. With that sense that in-app purchases will eventually be essential though, it's not so appealing after all.