Review: Clash of Clans

Massively multiplayer action on the go has never been so enjoyable.

They’ve stuck again. Despite all our attempts to fortify our defenses and level up our troops to the highest level, every acre within the village was devastated. Our resources were completely wiped out and all I could do was think: “I can never turn this game off!”

See, when I am not spending several hours of my life engaged in virtual fisticuffs with several of my favorite iconic world warriors; I am usually sitting in a corner somewhere scrambling with a bunch of real-life warriors. Attempting to establish a concerted effort to keep our respective forces intact before the next imminent invasion. I play during lunch breaks, business trips, and yes, even before I curl up for some much needed sleep. Addicted much?

I can’t even recall the actual story what intrigued me to play this game. Actually no, wait – it was a fellow co-worker who was responsible for this sudden addiction. Clash of Clans is a tower-defense game powered with a MMO twist. You start out with a small village comprised of a series of resources that you must protect with the aid of archers, cannons, and other powerful defenses. All which become accessible along the way.

The main draw of the game is of course, dropping by into other villages managed by actual players who are all actively playing this game on a global scale vying for the same goals: get rich or die trying.

You see, at some point, as your own personal forces and resource units are gradually upgraded. You’re going to need to build up some additional income. Which in CoC, is primarily comprised of gold and elixir. Each resource directly influences each other. So if you’re looking to upgrade your elixir storage tanks or collectors; it’s imperative that you have the necessary funds to complete the task.

Although the game features a series of single-player challenges which reward players with a generous amount of gold/elixir.  Jumping into multiplayer campaign is truly where you’ll see the greatest benefit to your cause. Once you’ve net a few battles under your belt, you’ll be officially ranked on a global leaderboard. It’s safe to say at that point, you’re probably going to be hooked just like the rest of us.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of really. I’ve come across players young and old who can’t put this game down. Including other co-workers who I’ve converted – I mean, *ahem* recommended they play. Clash of Clans isn’t very exciting if you’re going to settle for a solo affair. So if you’re lucky to rally several personal friends. This ultimately makes it a lot easier to coordinate when you’ll get involve in planned attacks. Especially now that you can initiate full-scale clan battles where every members’ respective units take on other rival clans. This feature alone saved the game from getting too stagnant.

However, in the event that they can’t be bothered to get involved, you could just jump into the global IM-esque chat rooms in the hopes of joining someone’s existing clan.

Like any online multiplayer realm, it’s flooded with a lot pointless banter (usually from younger players), trollish remarks, among other juvenile behavior. Unless you’re truly starved for making conversation with strangers or get picked for recruiting new members; it’s probably best to interact in small doses.

Having played the game for nearly a year now, I can honestly say Clans of Clans is one of the more enjoyable mobile gaming titles I’ve played in a long time. While there are a couple of other titles which more or less established their own personal take on the Clash blueprint. I’ve invested too much time (and even a bit of actual cash) to consider branching off into new variations at this time.

And yes, you read that right – I actually spent cash on the game.  For gems that are basically incorporated in the game to help accelerate upgrading resources or to obtain more gold, elixir, etc. I’ve reached a point where now it will become imperative that I learn to just focus on a specific area that needs to be upgraded. Whether it’s to further fortify my walls, or to gain the super powerful Queen Archer,  or Hidden Teslas. The latter which demand a rather large bank account to properly keep your defenses from being easily picked off when you turn the game off.

Yes, at some point you have to actually turn it off, unless you find a way to somehow keep your session constantly online, Well, that can’t be too good for your mobile device (or the battery life for that matter.)

Supercell has definitely come up with a solid game; that I am truly surprised managed to retain my interest this long. They’ve been very receptive to fan feedback that has helped to shape and balance the game from getting too non-nonsensical and annoying for players of all skill levels.

Some folks truly are literally strong simply because they basically took a cue from Fry(of Futurama). They just shut up and gave Supercell most of their money in return for heavily armed forces that would even probably make Leonidas jealous.

If they can keep creating new tweaks and additions; there’s little reason for them to stop actively supporting this release and begin focusing on a sequel (which is bound to happen at some point in time).

Until then, I will keep pressing on in-between my Street Figther sessions and hectic work schedules; to keep my village safe from the vicious online forces at work. The battle never ends!

Review is based upon the iOS version. 

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