Pixeljunk Monsters is a downloadable game from Playstation Network. Pixeljunk Monsters Encore expansion pack can also be downloaded from Playstation Network. Pixeljunk Monsters Deluxe can also be purchased and downloaded from Playstation Network and played on a PSP. 

Pixeljunk Monsters is one of those games that leaves you thinking, "This is so simple, why didn't I think of it."

And, "This is so simple, why can't I beat the pants off of this game?"

Followed by, "I just....can't stop...playing this...game!"

So, you are this little turtle guy (I think that's what he is) that has found himself in charge of defending these disarmingly cute fluffy, ball-shaped creatures that are so adorable they are drastically defenseless.

The fluffy creatures are sequestered deep in the woods, on the sides of mountains or any number of other semi-defendable geographic locations.

It is your job as the Secretary of Defense Terrapin, to construct a myriad of defense towers strategically on the map to hinder the waves of either ground-based or flying meanies that for some reason are bent on doing the cute fluffles harm.

It all sounds easy, and it is a very simple premise, but - it costs gold coins to build the defense towers. Sure, you have an initial base of we assume fluffy ball-shaped creature tax money to construct the first few towers, but then you only earn gold coins when the advancing meanies are destroyed - and you must gather those gold coins from the ground where the meanies have expired, while the surviving meanies continue to march toward the fluff balls. 

Complicating matters, and providing an opportunity to boost your defenses, the fallen meanies also drop  the occasional green gems when they meet their maker. These gems can be spent to upgrade existing defense towers. Green gems can also be used to purchase the ability to build new and better defense towers - how you spend these green gems is vital. Of course, you must harvest these green gems as the invasion continues toward the cute pinkies.

If you are racing around the invaders to gather up gold and/or green gems and you collide with an enemy, you automatically lose a portion of your gold on hand and the rest of the gold scatters over the nearby ground. You can pick up the gold you dropped, but you will not recover all you initially carried and the meanies are still moving in on the small pink furries.

The defense towers have unique properties. For example, the basic Arrow Tower is good against ground-bound attackers and airborne attackers, though not great against either. The basic Cannon Tower is great against ground-bound attackers but completely useless against airborne enemies. The Air Tower is (you guessed it) great against airborne enemies, but totally no help at all against the ground-pounding meanies.

A gauge at the bottom of the screen keeps you informed of the next enemy type to assault your peaceful settlement. This gives you a good idea of how to plan your defenses and what shade of panic you should be in.

You can tear down your towers to gain gold pieces to build different towers. This is a big help when you don't need seven cannons to fight off some flying meanies - you can trash a few Cannon Towers and build up  a few Air Towers.

There are about twelve types of towers, and I've only seen four of them - I keep replaying the same levels because I want to do better, it's so much fun, I have yet to stockpile the green gems to buy more advanced technology and I...can't stop...playing...this game!

Stay away from the cute fluffies!!! 

(I digress....)

The game is addictive. Did I mention that? The game is addictive.

The art is wonderful and warm and charming, as is the music and then entire experience. It's not good when the baddies make it through your defense gauntlet and stomp on the warm fuzzies, but it is so much fun, you just replay the level and not mind it a bit. Some people don't like the music, but I think it is just right.

There is a Casual game mode that eases up on the number of marching baddies and slows the game speed. The main game mode allows your score to be compared on-line with other Pixeljunk Monsters players, if you want. There is a Hard mode too, for those into all-out frantic fits.

Pixeljunk Monsters is $9.99.

Pixeljunk Monster encore is an additional $4.99 or $5.99 (I forget), but it gives you an entire new island to defend the cute ball-shaped fluffies on. It's a no-brainer purchase.

There is even a free demo available for download. So, try the demo, get addicted and pick up the rest.

There are not many games like this, period. If you like video games at all, you will really like this one.

Strategy, planning, resource management, dexterity, nifty music, shear panic, cutsey characters and ground-thumping bad guys - what's not to love?

Pixeljunk Monsters is a winner and I would think some sort of Game of the Year winner this time next Year.