Incursion (defense)

Incursion, by Booblyc.com is a defense game where the player has to stop a rush of baddies moving along fixed paths towards the exit. However, the game feels a little like an RTS since the player can recruit defenders and order them around, although in a limited fashion.

Stopping the baddies.

In the game credits, a few games were listed as inspiration for Incursion, among them, Kingdom Rush. The influence of Kingdom Rush can be seen in Incursion with the cute graphics and the general gameplay. However, Incursion improves on Kingdom Rush's gameplay with a few changes.

The main task is to stop waves of baddies that move along fixed paths to the exit. To do that, the player recruits defenders from barracks, which have been placed around the map. Each barracks can support a mix of three defenders, available from three types: warriors, archers and mages. Once a barracks has its full complement of three defenders, the defenders may each be upgraded to better versions.

Another interesting gameplay feature is the ability to position each squad of three defenders anywhere within a certain range of the barracks they are recruited from. This allows interesting tricks like having a squad from one barracks block two paths alternatively or moving archers that were covering the start of a path to a position where they can reach the end of the path.

Defeating baddies gives gold, which may be used to recruit defenders or upgrade them. Gold is also awarded for calling a wave of baddies earlier. Calling waves of baddies earlier is a standard feature for defense games nowadays so the player would not get bored waiting for targets.

Each game map has a unique feature. For example, one has a graveyard from which baddies emerge. Another has a battleship providing fire support for the player. This makes each map refreshing since a strategy that would work on one map may not work as well on another.

And strategies are important. The right strategy can make a map very easy to complete. On the other hand, the wrong strategy can easily be frustrating. In order to come up with the right strategy, the player has to consider the baddies approaching (the composition for the next wave is reported when ready), the defenders available and the unique feature of the game map.

There are also spells in the game to help slow or defeat the baddies, along with one for healing the defenders. In order to use these spells, however, spell scrolls must be looted from fallen baddies. I have yet to determine if the scrolls dropped are random. If they are, then this feature adds a little randomness into the game. It should not be a problem with sound strategies.

Outside of the game, there are a few other game features. The screenshot of the main game map below shows a quick view of those features.

Map of game levels.

First, there are awards for achievements, which award crystals. Crystals are also awarded for completing game maps - more are awarded for doing better by allowing fewer or no baddies to complete their journey.

Crystals are used to purchase skills, which give permanent bonuses to the defenders. For example, the archers range can be increased so they can cover larger sections of paths without having to move.

It is possible to collect enough crystals to buy all the upgrades through good playing before reaching the final/bonus map.

There is also a game guide with details of baddies, each defender type and the spells available. These are important to know in order to develop the right strategy to complete a map.

Unfortunately, the game does get a little boring once all the maps are completed. Of the maps available, there are only two maps where all types of defenders are unlocked, the second of which is only available once all the awards are collected. It would be nice to have a few more maps which allows all defenders. Perhaps a few are being planned at the time of writing.

In summary, Incursion is a defense game but with elements of RTS. It has lovely cute graphics and sound effects and the game should entertain (until all the maps are completed).

Battleship ready to provide fire support.