What makes for a great TD game?

[GSnyder]

I'm puzzled by the love for iBomber Defense.

The graphics are gorgeous, no doubt - in fact, the game is a clear contender for "best-looking tower defense game on iOS". But I found the gameplay to be shallow and unimpressive. This is a good example of a TD game where any old haphazard play style works just fine. What's the point?

[araczynski]

Originally Posted by GSnyder

I'm puzzled by the love for iBomber Defense.

The graphics are gorgeous, no doubt - in fact, the game is a clear contender for "best-looking tower defense game on iOS". But I found the gameplay to be shallow and unimpressive. This is a good example of a TD game where any old haphazard play style works just fine. What's the point?

you sound like someone that probably thinks tiny heroes is the best thing since sliced bread

haphazard play style (to me) = fun. i'm not interested in playing a puzzle game where the point of the game is to figure out the exact combination of units to use and in an exact position to solve a level. haphazard = variety = flexibility = fun.

all that aside though, i just love ww2 themed anything. the audio is brilliant, and the pacing is spot on. but to each their own of course, there's plenty of 'great' games out there that i find to be drivel, and vicea versa.

[Teknikal]

Originally Posted by araczynski

you sound like someone that probably thinks tiny heroes is the best thing since sliced bread

haphazard play style (to me) = fun. i'm not interested in playing a puzzle game where the point of the game is to figure out the exact combination of units to use and in an exact position to solve a level. haphazard = variety = flexibility = fun.

all that aside though, i just love ww2 themed anything. the audio is brilliant, and the pacing is spot on. but to each their own of course, there's plenty of 'great' games out there that i find to be drivel, and vicea versa.

I agree with you I hate the TD games that only have one real solution to play a level theres no replayability, I quite like iBomber myself but I haven't played the new one.

[CharredDirt]

I just got a new defense game, Total Defense 3D. Its one of the more innovative defense games I played in a while. Hovercrafts that can go off the path, turrets that burrow from the ground up, multiple upgrade paths, all make for a really fresh TD game. If you guys are looking for a good new one (while you wait for Charred Dirt Defense of course) you should check it out.

[Endair]

I think that besides all the things you say, the unique idea for Tower Defense type game is also important. If you make Angry birds tower defense, where you have birds (it's not popular anymore) or tower defense where you defend your body against viruses or something - it's a completely new perspective.

[CharredDirt]

Yeah, I can definitely see putting a fresh spin on the TD genre as a way to make it different. I don't see my game going that direction but to use the Creeps as an example again, defending your sleeping boy from monsters in his dreams is definitely a different theme.

[SkyMuffin]

I hope some enterprising developer or developers see this thread and make the next awesome TD game...the genre is just begging for something new and original.

[ninjackid]

For me, I like Simple UI, simple story, fun gameplay. Sort of like Com2Us' TD game.

[CharredDirt]

Originally Posted by SkyMuffin

I hope some enterprising developer or developers see this thread and make the next awesome TD game...the genre is just begging for something new and original.

I am an enterprising developer and I started this thread with the intent of making my game better because of your feedback on what makes a good TD game.

[slewis7]

I have played a number of TD games and the only ones I have played to completion were Pixeljunk Monsters on PS3 and Kingdom Rush on IOS. Both were extremely polished, attractive and had excellent gameplay balance with a well implemented increasing challenge level. I also enjoyed Jelly Defense and The Creeps HD on IOS, but there is something special about those first two games I mentioned that I found addictive that kept me wanting more.