Hero Academy

If you always wanted to display your inner hero but were unsure how to go about this, then why not try Hero Academy?! This free turn based tactical game available on the iPhone, gets you to choose your team and then fight it out on the battlefield.

The premise of the game is simple. All you need to do is pummel your opponent into the ground. This is done by either defeating each team member or by destroying their crystals on a 9 x 5 playing field.

To get started you will need to find a game. You can send a challenge to your friends via Facebook, Twitter or search by their Hero Academy user name by tapping the plus sign in the right corner. Alternatively to search for a random game tap the lightning bolt next to it. Once done whoever begins the game will start from the left of the screen and the opponent will attack from the right.

With each turn you are given a random choice of six items or players from your unit. You then have five plays, known as Action Points, to click on each player and either upgrade their attacks, increase their defences, move around or attack your enemy. To move, simply tap the character and the squares they can move to will turn blue. To upgrade or heal, tap the item and then the character. Each play is carried out so you can see whether any changes need to be made. Once you’re satisfied, you will then press the ‘tick’ at the bottom right corner of the screen to submit your turn. If you feel you could have done better, you do have the option to undo by pressing the Action Point wheel at the bottom left. You also have the choice of swapping the items you get. To swap an item, tap and drag it to the door in the bottom left of your screen. Be aware that to get your new items you will need to confirm your turn first and any changes will have to wait until your opponent has made their move.

Across the playfield there are four squares that you need to be familiar with. At each end of the playfield is two deploy zones. Depending on which direction you’re attacking, this is where your chosen team has to start. The additional squares are there to help your team cruise to victory. The blue shield helps to increase the units’ defences, the sword increases the damage you inflict whilst the purple assault tile lowers the opponent’s crystal defences. Once you have knocked down your chosen opponent you get to see them lie dramatically on the floor. In order to finish the job, you will need to stomp on them by standing on their square. However if your team mate happens to be knocked down, you do have the chance to heal them using spells cast by your team or potions from your items.

Hero academy also gives you the chance to buy some really cool items so you can customise and spice up your game. If you have gotten bored of playing as default team The Council, you can always buy another team called The Dark Elves. You can also choose what colours your team wears for home and away games, buy avatar packs to change the display picture and even get more taunts to shout at your opponent after submitting your turn.

I have never played a tactical turn based game so I wasn’t 100% about what to expect. Luckily for a newbie like me, there is the tutorial that gives a ‘How to’ guide and even a video of hints and tips. Now I understand the game that bit better, I’d recommend giving a shot if you are looking for something which you can play on the go and really get your teeth into.