Savage Moon Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3 (PSN)	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Fluffy Logic	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SONY	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Jan. 29, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Control in Savage Moon is very straightforward and features a simple point-and-click system that allows you to use the directional button (or left thumbstick) to scroll around the map and highlight menu options. The X and O buttons are used to confirm and cancel, and that is about it. If there was one thing I would complain about, it would be the lack of shortcut buttons to help speed up going through the game's menus. But aside from that, the control works well.

Savage Moon screenshot

Even though the gameplay in Savage Moon is very good, there are a few areas where there could have been some improvement. One such area is the graphics. The entire game has a very rustic color palette, and the reds and grays that dominate each level can definitely wear on the eyes. Another problem with the graphics is that they are far too simple. While I realize that Savage Moon is a downloadable title, only having a few recurring sand and cave structures in each level makes this game a very boring one to look at. Even though the little insect aliens do make things a little more interesting, these insects are all very small from the standard birds-eye perspective, and they don't do much to enhance the visuals.

Another area where this title comes up a little short is in the audio department. The background music is okay if you are only playing a few rounds, but it is very repetitive and can wear on you after awhile. The same is also true of the different alien bug sound effects, which are inoffensive at first, but lose their charm after a few rounds.

Of all the new tower defense games that have come out out recently, I have to say that I was very impressed with Savage Moon. Sure, it may not be a beauty in the graphics or audio department, but the layered combat and multitude of tactical options make Savage Moon a must for fans of the ever-evolving tower defense genre, and it isn't a bad choice for those who are interested in RTS-style games in general. As long as you can overlook its aesthetic shortcomings, you'll find a lot to love, and blow up, in Savage Moon!

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.4

Graphics
Level design is very basic and bland, but the game still looks relatively good for a downloadable title.

3.9

Control
Levels are nice and small, so scrolling action is minimal, and the single-button commands make for nice quick action. However, shortcut settings would have been nice.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music and sound effects are bland but fine in small doses.

4.2

Play Value
Even though there are only 12 levels, the learning curve is steep enough to keep you engaged, and the layered 3-D maps are a nice contrast to other 2-D tactics-based games.

4.0

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Upgrade your weapons to increase their size and firepower, and research even more devastating technologies to aid your mission.

Devise your defense from a massive array of strategies - choose power over speed, or block routes to put the space bugs in the line of fire.

Compete for the highest scores against the best planet Earth has to offer in global online ranking boards.