Defend Your Life: TD
- April 9, 2015
- Alda Games
- 44h median play time
Get on Steam"Defend Your Life" is a tower defense game set within the human body, where players strategically place towers and use upgrades to fight against villainous hordes of viruses and bacteria. The game offers 17 levels in various organs, including 2 epic boss fights against Stonekid and Cancer. Command Platelet soldiers, upgrade 3 attacking towers, and enjoy the detailed graphics and interactive environments.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a unique theme of defending the human body from various diseases, which adds a fun twist to the tower defense genre.
- The graphics are charming and well-done, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience.
- The game offers a good variety of towers and upgrades, along with a hero system that adds depth to the strategy.
- The game suffers from balance issues, with some levels being frustratingly difficult even on easier settings.
- There are technical problems, including lag and unresponsive controls, especially when the game is sped up.
- The upgrade paths and tower options are limited compared to other tower defense games, leading to a lack of strategic variety.
- gameplay55 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as a simple and generic tower defense experience, often compared to popular titles like Kingdom Rush, but lacking in depth and variety. While some players appreciate the engaging mechanics and unique themes, many criticize the grindiness, reliance on microtransactions, and performance issues that detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, it appeals primarily to dedicated fans of the genre, but may frustrate those seeking innovation or a more balanced experience.
“Defend Your Life is a pretty fun tower defense game, with mechanics similar to those of Kingdom Rush.”
“The mechanics are classic, quick to learn, and fun to play, with only four kinds of towers but well made: each one has 2 or 3 specializations with 3 to 6 enhancements, well depicted, different, and useful.”
“I found the game to be engaging from the start and has personality in droves; the colorful aesthetic combined with the constant new mechanics the game throws at you along with a very reasonable enemy variety make for the perfect fusion of a great tower defense game!”
“This leads to boring and frustrating gameplay.”
“You take one of the most stale genres out there (tower defense), steal nearly all of the gameplay from one of the most popular entries in that genre (Kingdom Rush), implement it poorly enough that there are control issues and lag despite ultra-simplistic gameplay, throw in a bizarre theme that feels like some third-graders won a contest to have their game idea made real, and kick the grindiness the genre is known for up an extra notch to push it over the edge.”
“The gameplay is a watered down version of every other tower defense game to ever exist, the sound design quickly becomes annoying and for 79p on sale I still wouldn't recommend it.”
- graphics53 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming and colorful art style that enhances the overall experience. However, some criticize the graphics as simple or unremarkable, noting issues with performance and optimization, particularly in comparison to other titles in the genre. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered decent and fitting for a tower defense game, they may not stand out significantly or justify the game's shortcomings in gameplay.
“Great looking Unity game, I love the theme and the art style, quite challenging as well.”
“The graphics are beautiful, though frames drop when things get heated.”
“The cartoon-y graphics end up being pretty charming, and the visual upgrades to towers as you level them up are really cool.”
“There are a few bugs with the resolution settings, but it's workable. Performance for some reason tanks once in a while, which is a bit odd for the simple graphics.”
“Looks 100% like a mobile game that is poorly ported to PC. There are no PC options, graphics settings, or anything to make it look like a PC game beyond the Steam integrated features such as trading cards and achievements.”
“The graphics aren't something to write home about; the obvious mobile port is evident.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant emphasis on grinding in the game, with many players expressing frustration over the repetitive nature of replaying levels to gather resources and upgrades. While some found the mechanics and setting enjoyable, the overall experience often devolved into a tedious grind, particularly for achievement hunters and those seeking to progress through higher difficulties. The game is generally seen as a solid tower defense title, but its reliance on grinding detracts from its appeal, especially for players who dislike repetitive gameplay.
“It's a decent tower defense game with a different setting, but some levels lag, and there is a certain achievement in the game that requires unnecessary grinding.”
“What started as a fun game quickly becomes a tedious chore you just wish would end, as you have to play through on easy, upgrade, and then play through again on medium difficulty to get 3 stars.”
“Overall, the game feels like a grindy, long and drawn-out upgrade simulator that you can only win harder difficulties by using a set strategy by the developers, not by finding a tower combo that works.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally criticized, particularly during later levels where performance drops significantly, especially when many enemies or towers are on screen. While some players report smooth performance in less demanding scenarios, the overall consensus highlights frustrating frame rate issues and bugs related to resolution settings, making it difficult to recommend despite its simple graphics.
“It's a Unity game with some reliable optimization to it - at some levels I had many enemies on screen and the game carried on without any hiccups or freezes.”
“Runs smoothly.”
“Considering how basic this game is, there really shouldn't be performance issues.”
“You will find performance issues throughout, especially on the last level where enemies start to fill the screen.”
“My final complaint is regarding game performance; in later levels on hard difficulty, performance (fps) starts to take a noticeable hit, and in the final level (the brain), by the end of the level, my i7 6700, 32GB, 980 Ti rig was producing a mere 9, yes nine frames per second.”
“I can't deny it: it has simple, colorful sprite graphics and rather bad optimization (I get a 'hall of mirrors' effect left of the playing screen, and the game slows down a bit when there's a lot going on).”
- story13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is generally viewed as interesting and engaging, particularly in the early missions, but it becomes repetitive and overly challenging as the game progresses. While some players appreciate the narrative and its integration with gameplay mechanics, others find it lacking depth and coherence, leading to mixed impressions overall. The game encourages replaying missions for upgrades, which some players find enhances the experience, while others feel it detracts from the story's quality.
“This one I like because it is a hard challenge and yet you can still beat it eventually; some make it feel impossible, but eventually you can get this one, and its interesting story, so I like it.”
“Ahh, I remember this game... let me tell you my story...”
“+ Good new story that adds several hours to the game time.”
“My final impression about this story and setting is totally negative.”
“I'm not crazy with the health concept that provides the 'story' for this game, but from a gameplay perspective it is really good.”
“- waves of each mission are short and always the same.”
- music13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in "Defend Your Life: TD" receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its light and plucky nature, while others find it unremarkable or mildly annoying. Overall, it is considered decent for the game's style, contributing positively to the experience, though it doesn't stand out significantly.
“The music alone makes it worth it, let alone the thrill of unlocking upgrades and facing new enemies.”
“Good game with great music.”
“The graphics are cute, and the music is light and plucky.”
“Overall the graphics are cute and the music is okay, the game does have a few things up its sleeve in terms of surprises, but this isn't exactly a genre-breaking game.”
“Clunky controls, mildly annoying music.”
“The soundtrack is unremarkable, and I can remember nothing I want to say about it.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Defend Your Life: TD" is widely praised, with players finding the premise of defending a body against germs both amusing and engaging. The game's funny concept, combined with its quirky artwork and entertaining enemy designs, contributes to a lighthearted experience that stands out in the tower defense genre. However, some users noted technical issues on certain platforms that detracted from the overall enjoyment.
“The premise of defending a body is kind of funny, but the artwork is pretty nice and the towers are reasonably balanced.”
“What makes this game stand out is the selection of enemies, humor, and many upgrades to pick from.”
“I find it hilarious going through this dude's body fighting off germs and whatnot.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the high replay value from striving for better scores and exploring different difficulty settings, others find it limited due to the grind required to unlock all champions, which diminishes the incentive to replay after achieving 100%.
“Replay value is high if you enjoy achieving better scores.”
“It has replay value because there are three difficulty settings on every stage.”
“Not a very in-depth game, but it offers reasonable replayability and its own twist on the tower defense genre.”
“Replay value is high if you like having a better score or whatever.”
“It's has a replay value because there are 3 difficulty settings on every stage.”
“For me, at least, it destroys replayability.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some users report it feeling buggy and reminiscent of a tablet port, others praise its reliable optimization, noting smooth performance even with many enemies on screen and no significant glitches or freezes encountered.
“I didn't encounter any glitches during my gameplay.”
“The game runs smoothly without any issues.”
“I experienced consistent performance throughout my playthrough.”
“The game itself is a bit buggy... it feels like a tablet port.”
“It's a Unity game with some reliable optimization to it - at some levels, I had many enemies on screen and the game carried on without any hiccups or freezes.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game relies heavily on in-game purchases, particularly for diamonds that can be used to buy essential resources like oxygen and lives, although the game remains beatable without them. Players note that the gameplay is designed around microtransactions, reminiscent of its freemium origins on mobile platforms, which can detract from the overall experience.
“Fun little game with microtransactions turned off!”
“Only negative is the available in-game purchase of diamonds, with which you can buy additional oxygen, lives, and adrenaline shots - the game is beatable without this.”
“Secondly, the gameplay design is geared around microtransactions.”
“The gameplay design is geared around microtransactions.”
“This game infuriates me beyond belief; it is a mobile port of a 'freemium' game that is free to download on tablets and phones, where money is earned by the sale of 'gems' (and probably ads as well).”
“The only negative is the in-game purchase of diamonds, which you can use to buy additional oxygen, lives, and adrenaline shots. The game is beatable without this, but if you fail, you can easily change the item numbers to provide you in-game 'money'.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers consistently highlight the game's unique and immersive atmosphere, emphasizing its importance alongside gameplay. Many fans appreciate how the atmosphere enhances their overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“It has an atmosphere of its own, which I'm a big fan of.”
“Atmosphere and gameplay always come first in my book.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is largely perceived as lacking, with players finding it generic and bland, despite noting a single innovative enemy mechanic that adds some interest. Overall, the game fails to evoke strong emotional responses.
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features engaging character development alongside entertaining gameplay, highlighted by humorous enemies and troops that enhance the overall experience.
“This game offers a fantastic character development system that keeps you engaged throughout.”
“I love how the characters evolve and grow, making each playthrough feel unique.”
“The depth of character development adds a layer of strategy that enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
