Defense Grid (and other tower defense games)

[Jeff]

So after picking up Fieldrunners for my ipod touch, I got my first taste of a genre that was new to me ... tower defense. I was quickly hooked, and started looking to other, 'bigger' TD games, which lead me to Steam and Defense Grid. I had skipped over it (before I knew what TD was) but a few days ago Steam put up a new demo, and I gave it a spin. I loved it, and have now purchased it. With a metacritic score of 82 (I have about 5 steam games that I love with a slightly lower MC score), including a 90/100 from GamePro, I think you might find it worth your time. MetaCritic users give it much better 96/100 with 26 votes.

Fieldrunners is great for a handheld game, but Defense Grid is outstanding. Superb visuals, special effects and 'creep' animations. It offers a "10 to 12 hour" campaign mode, with "many more hours" of challenge modes. The towers vary a great deal, as do the mobs, and I've been very happy with what I've seen so far. There's a great mix of single mob guns/lasers and AoE guns, including a very cool "meteor" gun that has a huge range and does splash damage.

Anyone else have Defense Grid, or another TD game they like?

If you want a quick intro to the genre (with a risk of becoming very addicted), you can try a flash game called:

Desktop Tower Defense

[warning]

Dude.  You're late to the party.

But seriously, Desktop Tower Defense was one of the most addictive experiences I've had.  No way I'm going back to that.

[Tals]

Dude.  You're late to the party.

But seriously, Desktop Tower Defense was one of the most addictive experiences I've had.  No way I'm going back to that.

The two threads are different - this is defence grid and the other is desktop tower defence. Same concept different game

But the big news for me is the demo info - so a download I shall go

[ROTC1983]

<3 the Demo.  I think I am going to spring for the full version.

[Jeff]

<3 the Demo.  I think I am going to spring for the full version.

Well worth it so far. I'm on about the 8th or so campaign mission, and have very much enjoyed it. The maps can be played in under 30 minutes (most closer to 20 minutes I'd guess), and they have a pull to them that has me replaying missions to try for a better score.

I'd also recommend going through the Tower & Alien encyclopedias. You can see at a glance what tower upgrades will do for you as well as other useful info.

[warning]

Dude.  You're late to the party.

But seriously, Desktop Tower Defense was one of the most addictive experiences I've had.  No way I'm going back to that.

The two threads are different - this is defence grid and the other is desktop tower defence. Same concept different game

Except he was also linking to Desktop Tower Defense which we'd already played here as a team and I didn't think he'd seen that thread.

[ROTC1983]

<3 the Demo.  I think I am going to spring for the full version.

Well worth it so far. I'm on about the 8th or so campaign mission, and have very much enjoyed it. The maps can be played in under 30 minutes (most closer to 20 minutes I'd guess), and they have a pull to them that has me replaying missions to try for a better score.

I'd also recommend going through the Tower & Alien encyclopedias. You can see at a glance what tower upgrades will do for you as well as other useful info.

Oh, thank you Jeff.  I think I am going to purchase it this week when I get paid.  Awesome

[coopasonic]

I bought it based on this thread and I'm really enjoying it. I'm not terribly good at it but I'm learning. On the early mission that lets you significantly impact the creeps pathing I went from failing miserably twice to winning a flawless (almost effortless) victory on the third try. I was kind of sad when the next mission was back to a fixed path. I hope there are more path shaping missions later. I just compeleted the mission that unlocked the missile tower. No idea how far I am.

[Jeff]

Defense Grid is currently on sale on Steam for $14.95 (25% off) Feb 21-23

[CeeKay]

looks like there was a patch today with free DLC included.  I grabbed this over the holidays, haven't tried it yet though.

[jersoc]

it's a fun game. not very deep, but that's the nature of these types anyways. i got it during the sale too. haven't played much though, but what i did is fairly enjoyable. best 2.5 ever imo

[Razgon]

Love love Defense Grid!

Isnt the new Toy Soldiers game over on XBLA also a TD game?

[MonkeyFinger]

Isnt the new Toy Soldiers game over on XBLA also a TD game?

Yup.  

[CeeKay]

premium DLC is on the way in the form of $1 map packs.

[CeeKay]

premium DLC is on the way in the form of $1 map packs.

it's out.

[Crawley]

Purchased but not played yet. Loved this game so looking forward to playing these new maps tonight.

[Huw the Poo]

Yeah, we'll be getting these.  Fun game.  My girlfriend loved it and, as with all puzzle(ish) games, she thoroughly kicked my arse at it too.

(And Razgon's, hahahaha)

[JayDee]

Picked this up last weekend and I love it. I was looking for a new game that could be easily paused and put down when the baby starts screaming and this is perfect. Two thumbs up.

[CeeKay]

Defense Grid: You Monster DLC brings a fan favorite to the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n7bkewdgjKA

[Scraper]

Orcs Must Die is my current Tower Defense game of choice. It's a FPS game where you place traps and shoot at the Orcs as they try to reach a nexus point. Great fun.

[EngineNo9]

Orcs Must Die is my current Tower Defense game of choice. It's a FPS game where you place traps and shoot at the Orcs as they try to reach a nexus point. Great fun.

And it's on sale today on Steam for super cheap!    I agree that it is a very fun game, too.

[greeneggsnham]

I stayed up WAY too late playing OMD last night. If you don't have it, definitely a great time to get it during the current sale.

[Scraper]

I stayed up WAY too late playing OMD last night. If you don't have it, definitely a great time to get it during the current sale.

I hear ya, I currently have 5 skulls on every level but the last one. I had it too, until the very last wave, then 1 stinking guy got through. I will nail it next time.