Iron Brigade

Iron Brigade, originally released as Trenched on Xbox 360, puts the player in a walking gun platform that can also deploy automated defences. Shooting television-themed enemies and positioning turrets are not separate activities: chassis, weapon and emplacement slots impose useful trade-offs, and flying or shielded threats encourage a new loadout before each sortie. This interaction gives the tower-defence format unusual immediacy. The original campaign offers fifteen missions, loot and equipment unlocks that support experimentation. Its historical four-player online cooperation lets specialised machines cover one another, but the missions repeatedly return to protecting a location. Later stages can become harsh alone and prompt grinding or repeated attempts. An odd alternate-war style, bright enemy silhouettes and witty voices give the game character, although settings and gun sounds grow familiar. Controls for moving and placing defences are sound. The more persistent irritation is travelling slowly to collect scrap before it disappears, interrupting an otherwise energetic fight. This score concerns the documented 2011 Xbox 360 release, not later downloadable additions or PC changes. Four-player support at launch does not establish that matchmaking works today. Players who enjoy tinkering with builds and defending under fire have much to like; anyone wanting an effortless solo campaign should expect a few painful spikes.

Who it is for: Action-tower-defence fans who like adjusting loadouts and replaying missions.

Play notes: Online co-op is documented for the original Xbox 360 launch, but present matchmaking has not been verified.