Toy Soldiers
- April 27, 2012
- Signal Studios
- 7h median play time
Get on SteamToy Soldiers: War Chest is a thrilling third-person shooter game that combines tower defense strategy with action-packed battle. Command and lead your toy army from various factions, including Kaiser, Starbright, Phantom, and G.I., to protect your toy box from enemy invasions. Utilize unique abilities, upgrade your units, and deploy special weapons to turn the tide of war in this charming and addictive game.
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- Unique tower defense game that allows players to control their units, adding a fun and interactive element.
- Charming WWI theme with great graphics and a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of playing with toy soldiers.
- Offers a variety of gameplay modes, including campaigns and survival, providing good replay value.
- Game often fails to launch or crashes, particularly due to issues with Games for Windows Live.
- Limited resolution options and poor optimization for modern systems can hinder gameplay experience.
- Lack of multiplayer features and repetitive gameplay can lead to a short-lived experience.
- graphics158 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming, toy-like aesthetic and solid visual presentation that effectively captures the WWI theme. However, some users criticize the HD remaster for feeling less authentic and visually appealing, citing baffling design choices and a lack of graphical options. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good and engaging, there are calls for a more pronounced toy-like style and improvements in visual clarity.
“The graphics are really good and the artwork reflects the toy-like game.”
“Very fun WWI-styled tower defense with gorgeous graphics and an excellent soundtrack.”
“A charming and addictive tower defense game with great tabletop WWI aesthetics and engaging, intense gameplay.”
“The HD remaster of the game feels like a cheap imitation with visual/art style changes that seem to manage nothing more than make the game feel less authentic or visually interesting. Not to mention, the baffling removal of sound effects/background ambiance as well as pointless replacement of certain tower locations among other things; many of the changes made to the HD version are outright baffling at times.”
“The graphics are ugly, with plenty of pointless cut scenes that add nothing to the game.”
“Between how realistic most of the graphics look, and how dark some levels are, the game can be slightly hard to 'read' at times.”
- gameplay140 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of wave-based tower defense with unique elements like controllable tanks and aircraft, offering a blend of strategy and direct action. While some players appreciate its simplicity and engaging mechanics, others criticize it for being monotonous and lacking depth, with limited tower options and linear maps. Overall, it provides a fun experience for fans of the genre, though expectations for high-paced action should be tempered.
“Exceptional if aging presentation, unique and interactive gameplay, and a complete campaign with achievements and bosses etc. I have yet to find a better tower defense game since I first played it in 2012.”
“A charming and addictive tower defense game with great tabletop WW1 aesthetics and engaging, intense gameplay.”
“Although the basic gameplay in Toy Soldiers is identical to other tower defense titles, what really makes Toy Soldiers stand out is both the World War I atmosphere and the ability to individually control any one of your placed structures in a first-person manual mode.”
“The controls aren't amazing; the gameplay is pretty simplistic.”
“As far as tower defense games go, it's a bad one, with very few options for towers, and with the maps being very linear, so there isn't a lot of room to be creative and strategic in your gameplay.”
“The game is boring and sluggish in gameplay.”
- story84 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 85 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is lighthearted and humorous, featuring clever cutscenes and a whimsical narrative reminiscent of "Toy Story," though it lacks depth and originality, primarily recounting World War I battles. Players engage in various missions with a focus on tower defense mechanics, and while the levels are well-designed with plenty of replay value, the overall story is minimal and not the main draw of the game. Despite its entertaining moments, those seeking a rich narrative experience may find it lacking.
“The cut scenes and story are clever and fun.”
“It's a fun and quite frankly adorable game with a humorous story and loads of action.”
“This is the part of Toy Story they never told you about.”
“The campaign's basically recount battles in World War I with backstory, meaning there is no original story.”
“If you are looking for a game that you will spend hours and hours on with a huge storyline... this is not it.”
“For a cheap price I got my enjoyment out of it, sad part is it's only defense, and the second half storyline has robots and aliens!”
- music60 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its period-appropriate selection, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere and aligning well with the World War I theme. However, some players find the soundtrack repetitive and annoying during extended play, leading them to prefer the game's sound effects instead. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's charm, its execution has room for improvement, particularly regarding its consistency during gameplay.
“The use of songs from the period was such a classy choice by the developers at Bothell for their game that, along with the in-game challenges unlocking bits of lore about the items the troops found useful or comforting amid the hardships of living (and too many of them dying) in the trenches, this strategy game from the golden age of Xbox Live Arcade, now transplanted to PC, is elevated to a must-play for those even slightly curious about the First World War.”
“Very fun WWI-styled tower defense with gorgeous graphics and an excellent soundtrack.”
“A fun little WWI tower-defense game with fantastic design, awesome period-appropriate music, and charm to boot.”
“The music, however, is awful and gets very annoying after long play.”
“I usually play this game without the music on as the background sound effects of the battlefield are good enough and complement the environment of the game well.”
“Within the game, the soundtrack does frequently glitch when controlling units and through the animations.”
- humor38 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring a blend of funny moments and a whimsical art style that enhances the toy soldier theme. Players enjoy the comedic elements throughout missions, including amusing animations and scenarios, making it accessible and entertaining even for those unfamiliar with real-time strategy games. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making it a fun experience for fans of tower defense and lighthearted gaming.
“It's a fun and quite frankly adorable game with a humorous story and loads of action.”
“A funny game that takes you back to the days in the sandbox playing with small army men figures, letting fantasy play out warfare your way.”
“And it is quite hilarious to take the bi-plane for a dogfight, bomb the enemy with heavy artillery, or man the sniper tower and view the battle up close.”
- replayability30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through its two extensive campaigns, various difficulty levels, and a scoring system that encourages repeated play. Players can enjoy diverse gameplay experiences by experimenting with different strategies, completing collectables, and tackling challenges across three campaigns. Additionally, a survival mode provides infinite replay potential, making it a worthwhile investment for those who appreciate replay value.
“At least until one completes the two campaigns, from opposite sides of the conflict, which offer considerable length and replay value for the asking price.”
“There's also a survival mode that randomizes each wave for infinite replayability.”
“I really enjoyed the WWII setting with miniatures and it has plenty of replay value (i.e. difficulties, collectibles, etc.).”
“Unless you are okay with replaying the same levels with different play styles, there isn't a ton of replayability, but it's really worth the time and money.”
“Playing through the whole campaign is not that challenging and the scoring system offers enough replay value.”
“There are challenges for replayability, and three different campaigns with their own sets of challenges.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, effectively capturing a whimsical toy-box feel set against a World War I backdrop. The combination of beautifully rendered graphics, period music, and interactive elements enhances the overall experience, making it both unique and engaging. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the setting, which includes charming touches like themed boxes and the ability to control structures in a first-person mode.
“Music and atmosphere match the setting in an excellent way!”
“This game has some really nice atmosphere, from hearing your soldiers talk before charging, to the trees, buildings, and even train stations.”
“I enjoy the WWI-era atmosphere, and the fact that it all takes place in a beautifully rendered vintage toy set makes it all the more unique and appealing.”
“Although the basic gameplay in Toy Soldiers is identical to other tower defense titles, what really makes Toy Soldiers stand out is both the World War I atmosphere and the ability to individually control any one of your placed structures in a first-person manual mode.”
“Period music is played in the background of menus, creating a very nostalgic (yet happy) atmosphere.”
“Music and atmosphere are matching the setting in an excellent way!”
- optimization14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on modern PCs with minimal issues, some criticize the lack of optimization, particularly for an older title. A significant update (version 1.1) is anticipated to address performance problems and improve the experience further.
“Runs smoothly on modern PCs too.”
“I had very little performance issues with the game.”
“Performance: 10/10”
“The game optimization doesn't exist at all, even for an old game, what a terrible waste of the game idea.”
“I would wait for 1.1 before purchasing as it will remove Games for Windows Live and include multiple fixes for users with performance issues.”
- stability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, players report a stable experience with no crashes or significant glitches, even on older PCs. Minor graphical issues may occur during task switching, but they are generally considered irrelevant and do not detract from gameplay.
“I had no crashing and no glitches, granted I'm playing on what some would consider an older PC.”
“I did notice that sometimes when I task switched back, there would be minor and fairly irrelevant graphical glitches—sort of like faint 3D lines rising up from some structures.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, with players feeling that the focus is more on profit than on delivering quality content. Despite the inclusion of historically accurate weaponry and new toy additions, the overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction with the monetization approach.
“It's just a cash grab at this point.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong feelings of nostalgia, reminiscent of childhood play with tin soldiers and spacemen, while maintaining a lighthearted and unserious approach to its themes. This emotional connection enhances the overall experience, allowing players to relive fond memories.
“Truly made me feel nostalgic... it really is like the tin soldiers we used to play with as kids... and spacemen... and has little or no care for attention to history, so in no way takes itself at all seriously.”
