Tooth and Tail is an indie RTS game featuring a civil war between tribes of animals. More casual than a serious title like Starcraft, the game tows a middle ground between interesting world building and strategy.

Strategy rethought

Tooth and Tail features variety of modes both online and offline. The single player story missions serve as a kind of introduction to the mechanics and fleshes out the world. Four tribes of animals are fighting for dominance, with the ultimate loser becoming the food of choice. Each tribe has their own unique characters and troops which all feel well-developed in their own right. Games consist of leading a general unit around the battle field, building units and collecting resources. This focus on a unit as commander rather than the traditional top-down omnipotent commander is a refreshing spin on the genre and adds lots of character to the world. Tooth and Tail features a single player, local multiplayer and online matches. These online variations are fast paced and rarely go beyond 15 minutes, offering an addictive jump in and play approach.

Animal uprising

Tooth and Tail is a clever innovation which succeeds primarily due to the setting and design. While fans of serious RTS titles may feel hampered by the gameplay approach, the majority should be able to find this charming game a real treat.