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The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense (iOs) Review

 
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At a Glance...
 

Formats: iOs
 
Genre: ,
 
Year:
 
Publisher:
 
Final Score
8.5
8.5/ 10


User Rating
1 total rating

 

We liked?


A surprisingly addicting tower defense game that teaches the basics of geometry.

Not so much?


It's quite challenging, so younger players may need lots of practice to finish the game.


Final Fiendish Findings?

  The app store goes geometric. It’s one of those age old mysteries that seems near impossible to solve – how do you go about introducing basic math concepts without making your kids want to run in the other direction? Even knowledge loving kids tend to turn up their noses at the idea of an […]

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Posted December 15, 2014 by

 
Full Fiendish Findings...
 
 

 

The app store goes geometric.
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It’s one of those age old mysteries that seems near impossible to solve – how do you go about introducing basic math concepts without making your kids want to run in the other direction? Even knowledge loving kids tend to turn up their noses at the idea of an educational game, and with good reason – a lot of them are just plain dull. On the other hand, a great game can be a perfect way to introduce difficult concepts in a fun and memorable way – if it’s done right.

The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense is the latest release from iMagine Machine, and it seeks to do just that – introduce the basics of geometry in a way that kids will not just tolerate, but beg to play. How do they do it? By combining basic concepts with an addicting and challenging tower defense premise. The story is a familiar and effective one – bad guys are attacking your land, and you’re the only one with the power to stop them. In this case, your land is one filled with different fruit and vegetable types who depend on their magical pools of water to keep them alive. Alas, the bad guys are a series of goofy looking thirsty monsters equipped with long straws.

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So, you need to rid the land of Venn from the bad guys. How? By using the power of geometry, of course! Starting with the very simple – a point – you’ll gradually earn greater and greater weapons to help vanquish more and more powerful enemies. The point is basically just that – you tap the screen repeatedly, dealing out small amounts of damage to the enemies that are approaching the pool from all angles. Next up is a straight line. You draw a line from one enemy to another, unleashing a slightly stronger attack.

After straight line comes open shape. Now, you can damage three enemies at once, by drawing a line between them that doesn’t close. And so it continues, on to various types of triangles and shapes, each one providing more and more damage to the stronger enemies you’ll face. Each shape is introduced individually, and you’re given the name of it and asked to practice drawing it before you use it in game. By the time you reach the end of the game, you’ll be drawing a whole variety of geometric shapes frantically – learning and playing at the same time.

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In addition to your geometry weapons, you’ll also have some magical spells at your disposal. By completing levels, you’ll earn victory points that you can spend in the wizard shop on helpful spells. These can give you extra water for your pool, or do damage to your enemies. Each spell can be used only once per purchase, and you can only hold four at a time, so you’ll have to make careful decisions to get the maximum use out of them.

The Land of Venn: Geometric Defense is a great introduction to basic geometry concepts that just happens to be a whole lot of fun to play. With colorful and amusing artwork and a great sense of humor, your kids might just be fighting you for who gets to play it. And with thirty levels to master, you get a whole lot of learning for your initial investment. Added to that, there are no in-app purchases and no distracting ads, making it a great game all around – and one your whole family can enjoy together.


Amy

 
U.S. Senior Editor & Deputy EIC, @averyzoe on Twitter, mother of 5, gamer, reader, wife to @macanthony, and all-around bad-ass (no, not really)


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