Your country needs you! To be a badass in a mech!
Tower defense. It almost seems like the indie and downloadable game market is flooded with games like this, doesn’t it? They’re simple to make, allow for creativity. So what happens when a large developer gives the genre a go? Pure magic. This is Double Fine’s latest downloadable adventure, the third in four proposed downloadable titles. In my opinion, so far, it’s the best.
But then, perhaps that’s simply because it strikes so many chords with me. While it is a tower defense game, with waves of enemies, various upgradeable emplacements, it has a few twists to keep it from getting stale. Namely, you’re actually out there controlling a giant, walking tank-like battle platform called a Trench. There are three different pilots to choose from, but really it’s just a cosmetic choice. The real star is the Trench.
Yes! This is how mankind should progress!
As you progress, you earn different “cores”, which are different chassis for your Trench. They determine your health, speed, how many weapon slots, what side has what number of slots, and the total and type of emplacements you have access to. Oh yes, no more picking from every emplacement ever. You have to pick which ones you take into a particular battle, adding a real strategic element to the game. Adding into the fact that you must also decide on a core and your weapons loadout, some battles can be a real setup of trial and error.
Of course, you could always forget strategy, and bring the biggest gun you can.
However, all is not lost. Because, MULTIPLAYER! That’s right, not only is this one of the most awesome games ever, it has full three-man online co-op. Each person choosing a different loadout, it becomes quite cathartic, working together to strategize what you will need for a particular mission.
Oh, and I almost forgot the best part. That’s right, as if mechs and tower defense weren’t enough to snag you, there’s more. “But Brightside”, you say, “I’m already planning on buying this cornucopia of joy and bliss. What more could there possibly be?” The loot system. In true dungeon crawling fashion, you are awarded weapons, cores, and emplacements after missions, but also as random drops from the various enemies. They come in four flavors: White, which is the standard fare equipment. Green, for when they have a special ability such as explosive shells or flak. Blue, for when they combine at least two green abilities with pumped up stats. Finally, there is Purple grade for equipment, which usually has unique abilities, firing rate, damage, what have you. Purple gear is the way to go, for sure.
As for game length itself, it’s actually decently long. For a $15 downloadable title, I’ve found myself sinking hour after hour into it, replaying missions for gold medals, which are awarded on how much health the objective you’re defending has at the end of the mission, and for the various loot drops. Throw in multiplayer, and you have one hell of a title. The missions are varied, the maps never resemble one another, and the variety of enemies, all with special abilities, will keep you on your toes all the way through.
So, final wrap up. If you like tower defense games, I recommend this. If you like mech games, I also give it a thumbs up. If you love collecting loot, get this. If you love strategizing with friends, definitely buy it. If you love any of these combined, go buy it now. If you love all of them, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS?! GO! BUY IT NOW! THANK ME LATER!