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Comet Crash is a tower defense title for PSN that released earlier this year courtesy of Pelfast. The title features classic tower defense gameplay combined with some RTS elements in an outer space setting. Fans of the genre will surely appreciate the game's unique approach.

Players have access to three different modes: a single-player campaign, three player co-operative, and four-player competitive. With its multiple difficulty settings, Comet Crash is an accessible title for gamers of all skill levels, a valuable characteristic considering the high challenge level of most titles in the genre.

Within the single-player campaign, players assume the role of a group trying to recover a comet that has been acquired by their enemy. The general layout of a level is comprised of a grid, with bases and weapons using up one square of space. The player controls an overhead ship which is used to lay down weaponry, bases, and collect money.

In each level, the enemy's base is in a different location, and is surrounded by several different types of defense mechanisms such as turrets. On the other end of a level sits the player's base, and they must strategically position weapons not only to destroy as many enemy ships as possible, but also to create a maze. Thus lengthening the time it will take an enemy ship to reach the player’s base. Like many other tower defense titles, there are phases in which enemy ships will be released from their base. If too many escape destruction and enter the player’s base, the round will be lost, and players will be returned to the title screen.

In order to build and/or upgrade new weapons, players must collect currency, called Thorium, which can be collected in two different ways, one of which is killing enemy ships. The other way players can acquire Thorium is by grappling one of the many asteroids constantly flying around the level, and bringing it back to their base which unlocks the currency within.

In addition to building weapons to take out other ships, players need to pay attention to the weaponry surrounding the enemy base. In between enemy phases players will need to position weaponry within range of an enemy’s tower, in an attempt to destroy it. Once a player destroys an enemy tower, they must quickly replace it with one of their own by flying over the particular area with the ship, and selecting their desired tower. This adds another element of concern for players, as their ship will take damage when flying over enemy territory. In order to refill their life, they must simply hover over their own base.

While building a strategy to take out enemy ships was certainly fun, waiting patiently for an enemy’s turret to be destroyed was one of the most satisfying aspects of this game. This is due to the fact that once a player is able to start taking out enemy turrets, their success for the level is nearly assured.

Players will repeat this process until they have taken out all enemy machinery, in which they will then build a base where they can deploy troops of their own, such as scouts or tanks. After the base is filled, player’s can deploy their troops, who will slowly deplete the enemy’s life until the round is won.

This is the very simplistic way of describing Comet Crash. As the levels increase, so does the difficulty and the intelligence of the AI. Enemy base configurations will become better protected, more powerful, and increasingly resistant to opposing fire. Needless to say, as the difficulty increases, so does the enjoyment.

Co-operative play,a rare feature to see within a tower defense title, only adds to the enjoyment of Comet Crash. Although having more players removes some of the difficulty, in other respects it adds a different type of challenge to the game. Up to three players will have to flawlessly coordinate their efforts in order to be successful.

While Comet Crash is without a doubt a fun tower defense title, it is by no means perfect. Both the music and background do nothing to appeal to the player’s senses; in fact, at times the dull appearance and generic sci-fi music draw away from the experience.For those who prefer online multiplayer to local multiplayer, they are unfortunately out of luck as Comet Crash has no online support whatsoever.

Perhaps with a bit more flair to truly distinguish itself, Comet Crash would stand out as a shining example to the genre. However, regardless of a few flaws, Comet Crash is a great title that newcomers and veterans of tower defense will surely appreciate.