Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,026 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal Game Cover
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"Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal" is a real-time strategy game where players must defend their base from an enemy force called the "Creeper." The Creeper is a hostile, flowing substance that covers the terrain and destrovers anything in its path. Players must build and upgrade their base, gather resources, and deploy units to strategically push back the Creeper and complete objectives. The game features a variety of levels, environments, and units to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,026 reviews
story217 positive mentions
grinding29 negative mentions
  • Unique gameplay that combines tower defense and real-time strategy elements, allowing for various strategies and approaches to each level.
  • Extensive content with a well-designed campaign, numerous user-generated maps, and a random map generator, providing endless replayability.
  • Engaging story that ties the gameplay together, with a satisfying progression of difficulty and mechanics introduced throughout the campaign.
  • Some levels can become tedious once a stable defense is established, leading to a grind to clear the remaining enemies.
  • The user interface and graphics may feel dated and simplistic, which could deter some players.
  • Certain missions, particularly the final ones, can have a steep difficulty spike that may frustrate players.
  • story790 mentions

    The story in "Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal" is generally described as engaging yet somewhat simplistic, serving primarily as a framework to support the gameplay. While some players find the narrative intriguing and well-integrated with the mechanics, others criticize it for being underdeveloped or confusing, especially for newcomers to the series. Overall, the game offers a variety of missions that keep players invested, with many expressing that the gameplay experience outweighs the story's shortcomings.

    • “The story is actually compelling and interesting for the most part.”
    • “The game has a long chain of 'tutorial' missions (not a handholder, the missions are actually fun) once you get into the game itself, things start getting interesting, and you really start struggling with the choices you have, power management becomes a real issue, air raids become a fear, and the tides keep rising, ever flowing, overflowing!!!”
    • “A surprisingly satisfying experience, creeper world 3 combines a compelling mystery-story about an enigmatic and impossibly powerful enemy with the satisfaction of a tower defense game that allows you to precisely nail that moment of satisfaction that comes when you just barely gain the upper hand, and turn the tables on an opponent that has had you against the ropes for most of the battle.”
    • “The story is short and painfully one-dimensional.”
    • “The story is nothing special, mostly just flavour text to give some kind of structure to the missions, but the game itself has been put together so well that you'll forget they even thought they needed a story.”
    • “The story is bat–shit crazy, but who plays this kind of game for the story?”
  • gameplay508 mentions

    The gameplay of "Creeper World 3" is widely praised for its innovative mechanics that blend tower defense and real-time strategy elements, offering a unique experience where players combat a fluid-like enemy. Many reviews highlight the game's addictive nature, extensive replayability through community-created content, and a well-paced introduction of new mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. However, some players note that certain levels can be frustratingly difficult, and the graphics may feel dated, but the solid mechanics and strategic depth more than compensate for these shortcomings.

    • “Just goes to show you that a strong focus on good fundamental game mechanics can make a game stand the test of time.”
    • “The gameplay is some of the best I've ever seen in strategy gaming.”
    • “The gameplay loop is extremely satisfying and each campaign map really shines.”
    • “My only gameplay complaint would be that the early game can be quite repetitive and, sometimes, the late game can drag; when your victory is assured, but stubborn islands of resistance delay the inevitable.”
    • “The gameplay is simplistic.”
    • “Levels are rather straightforward, and gameplay is repetitive.”
  • graphics205 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic, basic, and reminiscent of older styles, which may not appeal to everyone. However, many reviewers emphasize that the visuals are functional and do not detract from the engaging gameplay, which is the game's primary strength. While some players express a desire for improved graphics, they agree that the game's mechanics and strategic depth far outweigh any visual shortcomings.

    • “The graphics are heavily updated and are gorgeous for this style of the game.”
    • “The graphics look great, and I never saw any lag, even when I filled the screen with turrets and planes.”
    • “Don't let the older graphics turn you off - this is a fun and engaging RTS and 'tower offense' game.”
    • “Graphics are a little simple for modern day; if that bothers you, try Creeper World 4.”
    • “The graphics are pretty basic and the unit design is awful; indeed, when you have straffers, bombers, and then try to move stuff, it all gets messy quite quickly.”
    • “On the downside, the graphics are rather poor (but about as good as can be for the simple top-down view).”
  • music120 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with many reviewers noting its orchestral and atmospheric qualities. However, a common critique is its repetitiveness, as the limited number of tracks can become stale over extended play sessions. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered a strong point, players often recommend muting it or supplementing it with their own music to avoid monotony.

    • “Above everything else, the music is what really sells this game.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing too.”
    • “The music fits with the game, giving an adventurous and formidable feel of the unknown.”
    • “Music is fine, but a bit hyper and non-contextual for the slower nature of the game.”
    • “The only off-putting thing is that the soundtrack only has 3 or 4 songs and quickly becomes repetitive.”
    • “A massive gripe I have with the game is the music; one track on a constant loop... it lasts like 5 minutes and some maps can take over an hour to beat, so you have to listen to it over and over again.”
  • replayability106 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a wealth of community-created content, custom maps, and a random level generator, ensuring players can continually find new challenges. Many reviewers highlight the addictive nature of the gameplay and the extensive variety of missions available, which contribute to its near-infinite replay value. While some players note a decline in replayability after completing the main campaign, the overall consensus is that the game remains engaging and offers numerous ways to approach challenges.

    • “Replayability is through the roof, especially with custom-designed levels from other players.”
    • “Not only is the single-player campaign a good length and well designed, there's a gigantic amount of levels available from the community as well as optional challenges that offer an absurd amount of replayability.”
    • “The replayability of this game doesn't have to be stated, I've logged over 1000 hours so far and could not be more excited to keep logging those times.”
    • “It loses a lot of replayability after you finish the main campaign, but it's still fun to just pick up and experiment with all the different ways you can win.”
    • “There is so much depth and replayability in this game it's a shame that its presentation prevents it from reaching a larger audience.”
    • “I was honestly hoping for a longer experience overall, but there is replay value in the form of custom community maps, as well as a random map generator which needs to be unlocked through the campaign.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in later levels where progress feels slow and drawn out. While some appreciate the satisfaction of completing maps despite the grind, others feel that the pacing is poor and that the game becomes a slog after the initial excitement. Overall, the grind can detract from the enjoyment, especially for those seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Every level seems to devolve to tedious leapfrogging of your towers to slowly get to the enemy base.”
    • “The big problem is how quickly the game becomes an unbelievably tedious slog, slowly grinding away at every single mission in a similar fashion over the course of far too much time.”
    • “Interesting game with some cool concepts but a terrible tutorial, grindy missions, and mission-stopping bugs that force you to restart at the end of the level quickly kill the fun.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and intuitive controls, making for an enjoyable experience. However, players have noted that performance can decline when managing a large number of units, which can affect certain strategies. Additionally, while the interface is user-friendly, the limited size of custom maps is acknowledged as a necessary compromise to maintain stability on older platforms.

    • “Not only are the mechanics solid, the performance stellar, but the interface is also straightforward, and the controls seem pretty intuitive.”
    • “My only criticism would be that the custom maps are a bit limited in size, but then I understand the need to keep performance stable on older platforms.”
    • “Now, if you are trying for the leaderboards, then get ready to white-knuckle it because there is some serious optimization to be had.”
    • “While I enjoyed this game very much, my biggest complaint is that the performance suffers when you have too many units built, which hampers my preferred turtle/juggernaut strategy.”
    • “My only criticism would be that the custom maps are a bit limited in size, but I understand the need to keep performance stable on older platforms.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the gameplay addictive and experience moments of nostalgia and cleverness, others feel let down by a lackluster storyline, leading to a sense of disconnection from the overall experience.

    • “I had a lot of great moments playing the game that made me feel really cool and clever!”
    • “It made me feel like a kid again.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters felt shallow and unconvincing.”
    • “I was expecting a gripping narrative, but the emotional moments fell flat and lacked impact.”
    • “The game tried to evoke feelings, but it ended up feeling forced and insincere.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a blend of an engaging soundtrack and a heavy, elegiac tone that enhances the storytelling, despite some criticisms of the user interface and plot complexity. Players find that the music contributes significantly to the overall experience, creating an exciting ambiance that complements the gameplay.

    • “It provides some interesting atmosphere.”
    • “Not held back by a functional but ugly UI, dreadful sound, and a plot that’s heavy on both elegiac atmosphere and sci-fi nonsense; Creeper World is, simply, a masterpiece of gameplay design.”
    • “The soundtrack is quite decent as well, and at times adds to the atmosphere of the storyline.”
    • “That way, the player would appreciate the songs even more, and it brings a more exciting atmosphere into the game.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy has received mixed feedback; while some users appreciate the absence of mandatory microtransactions in the current games, others express frustration over advertisements for new releases that are not compatible with their operating system, leading to a negative experience with a game they purchased.

    • “Microtransactions for a good cause.”
    • “Since at the time of this review, CW4 has not been released yet, all 4 current games are available for under £60 with no required or life-changing microtransactions, so I definitely would suggest getting it if you like these.”
    • “So I got an advertisement for a game I cannot play on my OS and lost a game that I'd paid for.”
    • “Microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
    • “It added an advertisement for their newest release, which is also Windows-only.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates good stability, running smoothly even on older hardware, which is a significant advantage. However, users have reported occasional glitches that detract from the experience, despite the overall pleasant graphics and aesthetic.

    • “Besides, it is an interesting tower defense game; it runs great on my old laptop with Xubuntu!”
    • “A big plus is that it runs great on weaker machines.”
    • “The game has a lot of potential, but frequent crashes make it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I love the concept, but the constant lag and bugs ruin the experience.”
    • “The graphics are impressive, but the game is plagued by stability issues that detract from the overall enjoyment.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted as a standout feature, with players finding it both amusing and engaging, despite its unconventional genre. Many users appreciate the game's unique concept, which adds to its comedic appeal, making it a memorable experience.

    • “Funny game with an interesting concept.”
    • “I have spent so much time on this game... it's not even funny.”
    • “Creeper World 3 is one of those funny little games that don't quite fit any established genre.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

18hMedian play time
160hAverage play time
10-216hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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