PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD

A splendid port for one of the best tower defense titles of all time. If you already have played the game in its previous incarnations, though, be aware: apart from the trophy list and the unnecessary touch controls, there's nothing really new here.

PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD is, at the end of the day, a game that won’t be to everyone’s tastes. If you have played every version of the series before this, you may find the challenge a little lacking, as you would have seen all the levels before. You do need to be a fan of the Tower Defense genre as there is nothing new on offer, but even with a passing interest in the genre, you will find this game a rewarding challenge from start to finish.

It’s more than 70 levels of superb tower defense that you can play wherever and whenever you want. Sure, I wish co-op carried over to single-player, that the difficulty spikes weren’t so maddening, and that there was a new island of levels, but that doesn’t take away from how excellent PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD is.

PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD serves up a cannon blast of brilliance. At its core is a traditional tower defence game with a gorgeous aesthetic, but its considered gameplay, taxing tactics, and satisfying reward loop will make you dance to the beat of its drum. This will tear through your defences and devour your time like a gluttonous fiend. Don't miss this monstrous hit.

The latest PixelJunk Monsters lives up to the series' pedigree, making no concession on punishing trial-and-error gameplay while delivering undeniable fun over dozens (hundreds?) of hours.

PixelJunk Monsters has lost none of its brilliant charm. [Nov 2013, p.71]

Of course, I can understand why Q-Games might not have wanted to mess around too much with Pixeljunk Monsters. After all, when you've basically attained perfection — at least in some people's eyes — there's not much to be gained by going in and making huge changes.

Some new levels would have been nice (there’s no new content on offer, unfortunately) but the 40+ that are here certainly represent a solid investment and will take some time to conquer, especially if you’re a perfectionist.

Nice port of the classic Tower Defense PS3-PSP game with retooled graphics, touch controls and all the DLC content integrated.

Pixel Junk Monsters is as good as it has ever been. There is no arguing that this could be the best version of the game to date. Unfortunately, it is the best version of a game that we have already played multiple times. Newcomers to the franchise will find plenty to love, but returning players have seen all of this before.

Monsters has a humble ambition, and succeeds in it without making too much fuss.

This tower defense game is an addictive one. The HD-graphics are nice, but may not really be necessary in this cartoony style. The tutorial is very clear, the powerups are very simpel but work out great and Pixeljunk Monsters Ultimate HD is in one word a very worthwhile download on the PS Vita.

Finally this tower defense game, which already appeared for the PSP and the PS3 earlier on, becomes available for the PlayStation Vita. The graphics are slightly more detailed and the touch features work fine, so if you haven't bought this game for any of the other systems yet, you should definitely give this version a try.

All graphics and no contents makes PixelJunk Monsters a dull porting.

The only tower defence game on Vita you'll likely ever need, PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate HD is stuffed with content, and is a gigantic challenge.

All that matters in the end is that this game works flawlessly on the hardware and is an exceptional port of a great game that Vita owners get to play. While this won’t break the shackles of the Vita being a port machine, it does mean it just got that bit better at being a portable home console.