THE BUILDER IS BACK IN CLASH OF CLANS

Game: Clash of Clans 9.256 
Genre: Real-time, strategy game 
Game Platforms: Android, iOS, Web browser 

Clash of Clans is a massive online multiplayer strategy video game. It's one of the most popular strategy games developed and published by Finnish game developer Supercell. The best thing about this game is its regular upgrades and there have been a series of them this month, starting with the Builder Hall 7 update.

The player is designated a village chief and is required to build his or her own territory (town) using resources they have acquired by fighting. The player has to train his or her troops to defend the village from thousands of other online players. The game also features a single player campaign in which the players can attack a series of Goblin villages and earn gold and elixir.

There are four key resources:

• Gold and Elixir, used to build and replenish defences

• Elixir and Dark Elixir to upgrade troops and spells (spell factory and dark spell factory)

• Gems is the premium currency and used to speed up processes. They can be bought through in-app purchase or awarded upon accomplishing milestones. The new update also allows players to get gems from the gem mine in the Builder's Base.

This game promotes strategic thinking and camaraderie. Prioritising what needs to be protected and on what precious currency (Gems) should be spent - especially when the resources are limited - promotes smart thinking.

Downside: The feature that your village cannot be attacked if you are online makes it more addictive and tempts players to stay online most of the time. This can translate into expensive Internet plans. It also has chat rooms to strategise with players of the same clan; but one can be banned quickly from the global chat if one tends to use offensive language.

If one wants things to happen quickly - new buildings , troops trained, spells brewed, etc. - one can use Gems to enhance power and speed up upgrades by buying them with real money. This can turn out to be expensive. In 2014, the game generated $6,54,000 in daily revenue. In 2015, it was the top-grossing app on both the App Store and Google Play, with an estimated revenue of $1.5 million per day.

VERDICT: The game is stimulating and doesn't become repetitive or monotonous. The new Builder Hall 7 update is a great addition.

AT A GLANCE

ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS

• It is the latest entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. Unlike past games, this is a prequel. Set in Egypt, you play as Bayek, a warrior whose struggle against corrupt forces leads him towards becoming the first Assassin.

• Origins departs from Assassin's Creed's action-adventure roots and enters the realm of the action-RPG - and it's a welcome change. It, however, follows the familiar template of climbing, sneaking, fighting and discovering.

• Part of this new gameplay is a skill tree designed to help you tailor combat and exploration to your playstyle. They fall into three main categories: warrior, archer and rogue. They aren't separate but instead intersect at overlap points, so you can blend and customise them.

• In addition to the main story, the game adopts a side quest structure that works within that open world. A crocodile could kill the target of your latest hit before you even get to him, and all you have to do to complete the quest is confirm the kill.

• VERDICT: If you liked Assassin's Creed: The Black Flag, you will love this one.

Price: Rs 3,887.51 on Amazon