share
ArqadeWhat Tower Defense games are available for the PC?
[+29] [19] Ivo Flipse
[2010-07-07 19:15:37]
[ game-rec strategy tower-defense puzzle ]
[ http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/8] [DELETED]

I like playing strategic/puzzle games and now I'm looking for a good Tower Defense game for the PC.

Doesn't matter if it's Flash-based or if I can buy it somewhere.

Any suggestions?


Edit by Gnoupi: To keep things clear, please propose only one game per answer, and don't duplicate the propositions. If you want to add details about one game, edit the existing answer, since this is community wiki.

Edit by Ivo: If you can please provide:

(6) I don't see why questions like this have to be closed even if they're community wiki. I think lists of this sort are useful. - Kyralessa
[+33] [2010-07-07 19:18:53] th3dude

I'd recommend Defense Grid: The Awakening [1]

screenshot

[1] http://defensegrid.hiddenpath.com/

(2) Defense Grid is an excellent game. I think it's the only Tower Defense game out there right now with 3D graphics. It's very entertaining, well-balanced, and a lot of fun! - FallenAngelEyes
(1) +1, Both games are great - TM
(1) Defense Grid has some real cheap DLC if you're itching for extra content too. - MadMAxJr
Removed PvZ from your answer, as it is already in another one. - Gnoupi
1
[+20] [2010-07-07 19:18:38] Corv1nus

I love Plants Vs Zombies [1]. It's like tower defense but with a fun spin on it.

alt text

[1] http://www.popcap.com/games/pvz

2
[+18] [2010-07-07 19:20:54] vitule

I can't get enough of Gemcraft chapter 0 [1].

alt text

It also has achievements, which I haven't found in very many flash-based tower defense games.

[1] http://armorgames.com/play/3527/gemcraft-chapter-0

I was addicted to this one for a pretty long time. - Artemis
it was an awesome game, if only there was co-op or multiplayer of some sort - Maslow
3
[+13] [2010-07-07 19:17:11] Kevin Y

I find Bloons Tower Defense 4 [1] extremely fun. Also, Desktop Tower Defense [2] is a classic. (Both of these are flash games.)

[1] http://www.ninjakiwi.com/Games/Tower-Defense/Play/Bloons-Tower-Defense-4.html
[2] http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD/Game.asp

4
[+7] [2010-07-08 21:23:29] Gnoupi

Sol Survivor [1]

alt text

Sol Survivor is a tower defense in the "side" model (no maze, you build on side on the defined roads only).

It adds a nice feature to the genre, "support" skills, that you can activate to attack/slow down/poison/scare the enemies. Thanks to that, you don't have to watch desperately a unit your towers miss go to th end, you can catch it after. It also gives you something to do, instead of only watching your towers do the job.

It features several characters, each with their own set of turrets and support skills, so each of them plays differently. This is particularly good when you play in cooperation with friends, as your turrets and support are completing eachother.

[1] http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/03/27/towering-inferno-sol-survivor/

+1, there are 3 co-op play modes. internet and lan play. at least 2 competitive modes (wars and vs). - Maslow
5
[+7] [2010-07-21 21:42:56] community_owned

I personally like Desktop Tower Defense [1]. The fun modes are interesting.

ccook adds: There is also a facebook version which has some more features such as unlocking towers.

screenshot

[1] http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD/Game.asp

(2) Desktop Tower Defense is the most pure form of TD, IMO. - Erick Robertson
6
[+5] [2010-07-20 18:59:43] F.S.

Cursed Treasure [1]: Don't Touch My Gems - a flash based TD Unlike in other TDs, where you protect your Castle, the Goal is to protect your Gems and don't let the monsters steal them - like the subtitle says even don't touch them for Gold Rating on each map.

  • 15 Maps with different difficulties
  • 3 different towers each upgradable, can be spezialized in 2 ways
  • 3 spells to support your towers
  • many different enemies with special attributes
  • level up your character to increase the efficiency of towers and skills

Cursed Treasure Battle Screenshot

[1] http://www.iriysoft.ru/projects/flash/cursed-treasure

I enjoyed this game a lot. Can't wait for a sequel. - Raven Dreamer
(1) One of the best flash TD games I've ever played. Extremely well-balanced and interesting, and the latter levels are both difficult and doable. - Xanthir
7
[+4] [2010-07-07 19:19:44] EndangeredMassa

Even though Tower Defense games have grown into their own interesting and innovative genre, I still prefer Warcraft 3 Tower Defense maps.


8
[+3] [2010-07-07 19:26:40] gnovice

There are a whole bunch of Tower Defense variants [1] at Kongregate [2]. One of my favorites was Whiteboard Tower Defense [3].

Be careful, I've burned many an hour there. ;)

[1] http://www.kongregate.com/search?q=defense
[2] http://www.kongregate.com/
[3] http://www.kongregate.com/games/funinvegas/whiteboard-tower-defense

9
[+3] [2010-07-07 19:27:10] Roald van Doorn

I really like the Protector series, with the best Protector IV [1]. Extended storyline, hours of play. Extensive strategy behind the upgrades system (experience, items, etc.) and the units you select for each quest. Multiple storylines and sidequests, dozens of units.

[1] http://www.kongregate.com/games/undefined/protector-iv

10
[+3] [2010-07-15 22:15:11] Artemis

Bubble Tanks [1] is really fun and offers a nice variety of maps. You can also merge your towers into super towers which adds to the strategy.

Bubble Tanks TD 1.5

This is actually from the upgraded version [2]. They added some new tower types like the beam canon featured in the center. There are also some new creeps which knock out some of your towers for a short period when they die (thus, the grayed out towers at the front).

[1] http://armorgames.com/play/4962/bubble-tanks-tower-defense
[2] http://armorgames.com/play/6338/bubble-tanks-td-15

11
[+2] [2010-07-19 20:44:38] meo

I love vertor td [1] and vercor td 2 [2]. Both are easy to start with but they get pretty hard very soon. But i still prefer the starcraft and warcraft 3 mods.

[1] http://www.candystand.com/play/vector-td
[2] http://www.candystand.com/play/vector-td-2

12
[+2] [2010-07-08 19:20:58] Juan Manuel

Defense Grid [1] is excellent, it's from an independent publisher, with very high re-playability, and only costs $10 on steam.

I highly recommend it.

[1] http://defensegrid.hiddenpath.com/

already at the top :) - RCIX
13
[+2] [2010-08-02 15:08:56] ccook

There is a really nice flash based Starcraft 2 Tower Defense game

http://starcraft2.pro/tower-defense alt text


This game is excellent - erikric
14
[+1] [2010-08-02 15:15:56] ccook

There is a Custom Map in Starcraft II that seems quite popular (and fun)

http://www.sc2mapster.com/maps/standard-tower-defense/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Io0ryOPrxM


15
[+1] [2010-07-15 20:27:00] Redemption

Try the "Bloons Tower Defense" series, very addicting.


16
[+1] [2010-07-15 22:42:13] Stephan

Onslaught 2 [1] adds some cool new ideas like tower combos. Build two towers next to each other and fully upgrade them and they will work together in a combo.

[1] http://onslaught.playr.co.uk/

I was disappointed because the towers do not automatically target the creeps which are furthest along. It seems a little arbitrary and random. You end up leaking because the targeting is poorly designed. Up until I noticed the issue, I enjoyed it. - Artemis
17
[0] [2010-07-15 17:25:12] Suspi

Harvest Tower Defense [1] has a really interesting and unique energy management grid mechanic that made it really fun.

[1] http://www.towerdefence.net/games-110-Harvest_Tower_Defense.php

18
[0] [2010-08-02 15:01:53] Hugo Riley

A very old one: The Horde [1]

In the game you develop a village and prepare for the Horde onslaught. Trick is to balance development and defenses through seasons.

It's abandonware now and available for download. It works with Dosbox.

[1] http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/454/Horde%2C+The.html

19