Pros: I quite enjoyed “Ninja Chicken 2.” However, I kind of wish this game was not part of a series, so that the “2” in the title was arbitrary. I find this naming tactic inherently funny, like “Leonard Part 6,” the movie that was seen in a 1987 theater by only me and my very bored father. Anyway, “Ninja Chicken 2” is an RTS / action game with “Contra” and “Angry Birds” influences. As a chicken in ninja drag, you defend your castle, using one (or more, depending on your chosen mode) cannon(s) to thwart an oncoming barrage of angry-face pigs. Like “Angry Birds,” the rivalry between pigs and birds continues, and I cannot figure out why this randomness is becoming convention. When will the fuzzy bunny vs. humpback whale war be highlighted? WHEN?! The “Contra” influence comes from a continual upgrading of cannon ammo, by picking up packs dropped by...

Cons: This game is in a series of waves, not levels, which means that after you have dominated (or barely scraped by) a wave, you return to your castle in whatever damaged state it was previously in when you start the next wave. Instead of a feeling of triumph, there is this feeling of dread when you complete a wave with high damage, because you know you’re going into certain death on the next round. In my opinion, few games can get away with this process (ex: “Tetris” beautifully goes into infinity). For the record, I’m fine with this process IF it is a chosen “endless” option on a game that has core level-oriented game play (ex: “Plants vs. Zombies,” “Robo Defense,” etc.)

Pros: I quite enjoyed “Ninja Chicken 2.” However, I kind of wish this game was not part of a series, so that the “2” in the title was arbitrary. I find this naming tactic inherently funny, like “Leonard Part 6,” the movie that was seen in a 1987 theater by only me and my very bored father.

Anyway, “Ninja Chicken 2” is an RTS / action game with “Contra” and “Angry Birds” influences. As a chicken in ninja drag, you defend your castle, using one (or more, depending on your chosen mode) cannon(s) to thwart an oncoming barrage of angry-face pigs. Like “Angry Birds,” the rivalry between pigs and birds continues, and I cannot figure out why this randomness is becoming convention. When will the fuzzy bunny vs. humpback whale war be highlighted? WHEN?!

The “Contra” influence comes from a continual upgrading of cannon ammo, by picking up packs dropped by vanquished enemies. These upgrades are pretty standard, including ice/slowing, spray/extended range, fire/burning, etc. The game play mode options are 1) tilt, 2) six cannons, or 3) manual. I much prefer the tilt mode, because it is responsive and smooth. Also, to pick up those upgrade packs, you need to tap the screen, which I can easily do if I’m tilting. Otherwise, the other modes are just a tap fest – tap to pick a cannon, tap to fire, tap to pick up a pack. Excessive.

Cons: This game is in a series of waves, not levels, which means that after you have dominated (or barely scraped by) a wave, you return to your castle in whatever damaged state it was previously in when you start the next wave. Instead of a feeling of triumph, there is this feeling of dread when you complete a wave with high damage, because you know you’re going into certain death on the next round. In my opinion, few games can get away with this process (ex: “Tetris” beautifully goes into infinity). For the record, I’m fine with this process IF it is a chosen “endless” option on a game that has core level-oriented game play (ex: “Plants vs. Zombies,” “Robo Defense,” etc.)