By Thomas Hodgson

As a gamer, you enjoy shooting things, so it’s by default that you should enjoy Monday Night Combat. This third-person class-based fragfest is a ménage à trois amongst Team Fortress 2, Smash TV, and tower defense.

Players can choose from six aptly titled classes, each with two available weapons and unique abilities: Tank, Gunner, Assault, Sniper, Assassin, and Support. Each class has four upgradeable skills, each of which can be leveled up to three tiers. As with the player upgrades, turrets works on the same level, with a variety of four that can be advanced up to three levels.

Kills of players and bots grant you money, essential to your progression as a player and to your team’s towers. While being a roster standout will pad your stats, you’re but a cog in the gears of war. Give a team LeBron James and it doesn’t mean you’ll walk away with the championship. This isn’t team deathmatch, so the lone wolf mentality drastically decreases your chances of surviving Monday Night Combat long enough to reap the benefits of Friday Night Hookers and Blow.

At this game’s core is a tower defense dynamic that not only begs for your interaction, it requires it. Consistently building, upgrading, and defending them can and will dictate the winners and the losers. Initially, it is easy to overlook this crucial aspect while running around killing things, but it’s only a matter of time and losses ‘til you realize shoddy towers are where your gameplay is hemorrhaging.

While the character and defense options are brimming with flavor, the availability of two game modes across a small handful of arenas isn’t so robust an offering. Blitz mode allows you to team up with three friends against an onslaught of bots. Crossfire mode is the bread and butter of this game, as two teams of six battle for control of choke points and bot supremacy. Ultimately lacking in variety, the game redeems itself through appeal.

The major selling point to this title is just how light-hearted the aesthetic is and just how well it translates to a general audience. The learning curve is so minute that coupled with the simplistic controls, it opens up its doors to just about anyone with five fingers on each hand (sorry Mr. P, my 6th grade shop teacher). Similar in style and approach to Team Fortress 2, players are treated to a game that allows you to kick out in a recliner rather than one that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Like the games at a children’s birthday party, everyone is a winner, and there is truly something for everybody.

Monday Night Combat may be short on options but it’s loaded to the brim with fun. While yes, you’ve played better third person shooters and yes, you’ve played better tower defense games, there is enough to Monday Night Combat that it holds its own as its own. It brings a unique perspective to two exciting genres. The end result is a hit show worthy of any primetime line-up.

Publisher: Uber Entertainment
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points ($15)

Pros:
• A tower defense-style game that melds genres together at the seams with fun and excitement

Cons:
• Limited game modes and arenas
• The obnoxious announcer needs to throw himself off a highway overpass

Rating: 85%