Defend the Rook
- November 11, 2021
- One Up Plus
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games Store"Defend the Rook" is a challenging tower defense game that requires strategic planning and quick thinking. Protect the rook at all costs by placing towers and using abilities to fend off waves of relentless enemies. With procedurally generated levels, each playthrough offers a unique experience.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Defend the Rook offers a unique blend of turn-based strategy and roguelite elements, providing a variety of upgrades and strategies that keep gameplay fresh and engaging.
- The game features a smooth user interface and clear mechanics, making it easy to learn while still offering depth for players to master their strategies.
- Players appreciate the replayability due to the randomized upgrades and the challenge that increases with ascension levels, allowing for diverse builds and tactics.
- Many players find the game lacks depth and can become repetitive, as the core gameplay revolves around the same five levels and limited enemy variety.
- The difficulty scaling is criticized, with some players feeling that the game is too easy, especially in the early ascension levels, leading to a lack of challenge.
- There are technical issues reported, such as bugs and performance problems at higher resolutions, which detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay34 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a high level of challenge and strategic depth, with players engaging in procedurally generated battles on a chessboard while protecting key pieces. Although the core mechanics are solid and the game runs smoothly, some players feel that the content is limited and lacks sufficient variety to sustain long-term interest. Overall, the blend of turn-based combat and tower defense elements offers a fun experience, particularly for fans of strategic games, but may not fully satisfy those seeking extensive replayability or diverse gameplay experiences.
“The game design and gameplay loop in this game are freaking amazing.”
“Characters and the gameplay have loads of different attacks with perks and upgrades to unlock, together with procedurally generated battles makes for lots of replayability.”
“An interesting game that blends turn-based combat and tower defense gameplay with a unique chess-inspired atmosphere.”
“It's a shame that the core gameplay loop hasn't been explored more carefully, as I had really high hopes after the first run.”
“I've completed the storyline after my first run, and the variations in the gameplay aren't different enough to feel worth exploring.”
“Currently, 'Defend the Rook' has neither a journey experience nor a gameplay experience.”
- story25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered weak and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its bland writing and repetitive nature across multiple playthroughs. While it provides a basic fantasy context for the gameplay, it fails to engage players or offer meaningful progression, leading to a sense of frustration rather than immersion. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop to the strategic elements, rather than a compelling aspect of the experience.
“It’s a quick and simple story that adds some fun fantasy context to a strategic board game.”
“The story serves the gameplay, and I think it does so well.”
“I'm on the 5th or sixth playthrough and while cyclical in nature, each playthrough is different in pretty meaningful ways, and the story actually jives with the fact that you are playing in a sort of trapped time loop.”
“The story isn't a saving grace either as it's so bland and badly written that you can pretty much discard it.”
“Unfortunately this game fails to deliver a sense of strong story progression.”
“It's not a very important point in the game, but the story is terrible and made even more terrible that you will repeat it, and its 'plot twist', every game.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety of unlockables and procedural elements that enhance replay value, others feel that it diminishes significantly after reaching certain milestones or lacks depth for extended play. It seems best suited for a few playthroughs rather than long-term engagement.
“Totally worth it, high replay value with unlockables.”
“Really good... better than expected... very replayable.”
“Characters and the gameplay have loads of different attacks with perks and upgrades to unlock, together with procedurally generated battles, making for lots of replayability.”
“It's perfect for one or two playthroughs, but its rogue-like elements aren't enough to be replayable.”
“But as it stands now, there is not much depth and replay value.”
“I get more replay value out of the free Jupiter Moons demo than I did this game.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics feature a blend of 2D and 3D elements, with a predominantly 2D presentation for the world and story, while gameplay utilizes static-camera 3D. While the visuals are generally acceptable and complemented by decent music, some players noted issues like blurriness and jarring transitions between scenes. Overall, the art style and UI are praised for their appeal, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience.
“The sound and visuals work well together to make a static board game environment interesting to sink some time into.”
“Great art style of your team and the varied enemies/bosses and a good UI make this a joy to play and so addictive.”
“The art style is a combination of 2D and 3D elements, with the world and story presentation largely in 2D, and the board and gameplay largely in static-camera 3D.”
“It's aesthetically acceptable and its music is pretty good, but nothing amazing.”
“The blurriness I can work with (heck, I still play EverQuest to this day, original graphics) but things like being able to see elements from previous scenes around the edges of the current scene is more than a little jarring.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as epic and immersive, effectively enhancing the gameplay experience with a blend of "thinking music" and orchestral pieces. While it may not be a soundtrack listeners would enjoy outside of the game, it successfully complements the high-stakes atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered good, though not exceptional.
“The music is more epic than I was expecting.”
“Defend the Rook strikes a really nice balance between 'thinking music' and 'orchestral pieces'.”
“Although it’s not a soundtrack I would listen to outside of the game, it does a really good job at immersing you in the world, where the stakes are high and the outcome uncertain.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its unique chess-inspired design, blending turn-based combat and tower defense elements. The user interface is noted for being helpful, contributing to the overall immersive experience of commanding summoned heroes on a game board.
“The user interface is very helpful, and the atmosphere adds a nice touch to the static-camera gameplay.”
“An interesting game that blends turn-based combat and tower defense gameplay with a unique chess-inspired atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the interesting premise, the overall ambiance fails to evoke any real sense of tension or excitement.”
“The game’s environment is dull and lifeless, making it hard to stay engaged with the gameplay.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized for the Steam Deck, running smoothly; however, players have reported issues with the controls, which detract from the overall experience.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for its numerous bugs, leading to a consensus that it is not stable enough to recommend.
“Unfortunately, the game is too buggy to recommend.”
“The frequent crashes make it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the experience.”
