Defend that tiara

If you’re nostalgic for your high school days (and they involved cliques, constant worry over whether you are wearing the right clothes, and general bitchiness) then step right up to tower (or tiara) defense game Mean Girls.

Take down the mean girls

Based on the 2004 tongue-in-cheek cult movie of the same name starring Lindsay Lohan (in her sweet and innocent days), this game focuses on deploying different school cliques at strategic points to stop the popular (but mean) girls from getting across the cafeteria, or gym, or sports field and reaching the tiara.

The different cliques (art freaks, drama geeks, jocks, etc) have a variety of skills, but ultimately must stop the mean girls in their tracks by hitting them over the head or pelting them with food. So much fun. While taking these nasty people down, you must also answer some trivia questions based on events in the film.

If you’re a fan of the movie, you’ll be glad to know that all the main characters pop up in this game – from Regina George to Gretchen Wieners to Cady Heron to Ms Norbury. While this trivia may make it sound like it’s only suitable for fans of the movie, Mean Girls (the game) fantastically captures the spirit of the film in all its silly, poking fun at itself ways. Playing this game may even inspire you to watch the movie.

Plenty of drama

Mean Girls presents a significant level of challenge and depth, with plenty of levels to complete and rewards to be earned. And when you think you’ve nailed your strategy, a new element is thrown in to ramp up the challenge.

The 2D cartoon-style graphics are completely in keeping with the silliness and fun feel of the game. The big heads on the small bodies add an element of ridiculousness to proceedings while the pastel colors and liberal use of pink make it (unsurprisingly) feel pretty girly, but not in a childish way.

There is very little criticism that I can level at Mean Girls – the only drawback being that it’s slow to load when starting the game.

Not just for fans of the movie

Mean Girls is a superbly crafted, excellently thought out, and well-designed game. While the style, theme, and subject matter will please fans of the classic cult movie and casual players, there is also plenty to keep more serious gamers happy. Gameplay is challenging and a well-thought out strategy is needed to progress. Mean Girls nicely treads the line between proper gaming and tongue-in-cheek fun. You won’t be disappointed.