CastleStorm

CastleStorm is a ballistics game with strong strategy elements. Knights and vikings are at peace, but when the knight's magic gem is stolen they suspect the vikings and go to war. The player initially takes the role of Sir Gareth in order to get it back; the story is told in humorous dialogues. The basic setup of most levels is simple: the playing area is shown from the side, each faction has a castle and tries to destroy the other one respectively steal the flag inside the enemy castle. The main instrument of war is a cannon: the player chooses the projectile (e.g. an exploding sheep), sets the angle and shoots. If it hits the target, the castle part is destroyed and the surrounding parts may collapse with a physics simulation.

The AI on the other hand mainly sends troops against the player's castle. Obviously these can also be hit with projectiles or the player buys own troops to fight them. During a mission, players can use up to five different units with certain advantages and disadvantages which are sent out into the field automatically after purchase. Also available are spells and a powerful hero unit which is controlled directly for a short amount of time. Between missions the player can use a castle editor to expand the castle which brings bonuses (e.g. a higher defense against enemy projectiles) or unlocks more units, but there are also pre-made castles available to use. Another important part to consider are upgrades for spells, units, projectiles and rooms. The money for all that stuff is earned during the missions, either simply by performing good shots or fulfilling bonus objectives. The campaign also has some special levels like target shooting or boss fights.

Besides the standard competitive and cooperative (one player for projectiles, the other for ground troops) mode using the standard gameplay mechanics, there also is the survival co-op mode which removes the castle, takes the directly controlled hero and sets two of them against an endless horde of enemies.