Defend Your Life: TD
- April 9, 2015
- Alda Games
- 52h 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 viruses and bacteria, which adds an interesting twist to the tower defense genre.
- Graphics are colorful and engaging, enhancing the overall enjoyment of gameplay.
- The game offers a decent challenge with a variety of tower upgrades and hero mechanics, making it fun for both casual and dedicated players.
- The game suffers from balance issues, with difficulty spikes that can make progression frustrating, especially in later levels.
- As a mobile port, it lacks some PC-friendly features such as proper resolution settings and a more intuitive control scheme.
- The limited number of tower types and upgrades can lead to a feeling of repetitiveness and lack of depth compared to other tower defense games.
- gameplay28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as generic and reminiscent of classic tower defense mechanics, with a limited variety of towers and enemies that have distinct strengths and weaknesses. While some players appreciate the solid design and fun level layouts, many criticize the reliance on store usables, performance issues, and the overall lack of innovation, making it feel shallow and repetitive. Despite these drawbacks, it can still be enjoyable for fans of the genre looking for casual gameplay.
“The mechanics are classic, quick to learn, and fun to play, with only 4 types of towers but well made: each one has 2 or 3 specializations with 3 to 6 enhancements, well depicted, different, and useful.”
“The gameplay has a few ideas you seldom see in tower defense games: like two monster types that combine into a stronger one if you fail to prevent them from meeting up.”
“It is very solid gameplay that sticks to the basics.”
“There are better tower defense games out there; the price is right, but the gameplay just kind of drags on.”
“Ignoring the infuriating performance of the game that is enough to not recommend it, the mechanics themselves are as generic as they come.”
“The gameplay is a watered-down version of every other tower defense game to ever exist; the sound design quickly becomes annoying.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the clean, charming, and above-average visuals that enhance gameplay enjoyment, while others criticize the inconsistent art design and performance issues, particularly in the mobile port. Overall, the graphics are generally considered decent for the genre, though some elements, like character designs and backgrounds, fall short of expectations.
“The graphics are beautiful, though frames drop when things get heated.”
“The graphics are charming and well done.”
“Clean & crisp visuals.”
“The graphics aren't interesting.”
“Simple cartoony graphics with weird K-Mart off-brand art design, cheesy music, some Engrish, a decent sense of progression, and rising challenge.”
“Text boxes literally cut out mid-letter, there are no graphical options, no fullscreen, nothing like that.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive, often requiring repetitive playthroughs and significant time investment to achieve upgrades and complete levels. While some appreciate the mechanics and diversity in upgrades, many feel that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, turning what could be a fun experience into a tedious chore. Despite the lack of microtransactions, the emphasis on grinding for achievements and hero upgrades has left some players frustrated.
“It's a decent tower defense game with a different setting, but some levels lag and there is a certain achievement in the game which requires unnecessary grinding.”
“So it's literally impossible to beat; even easy is extremely grindy before the end.”
“Instead, you have to grind (as there's no microtransactions). You have to play through on easy, upgrade, play through again on easy getting 3 stars, switch to medium difficulty, play through, upgrade, and play through again to get 3 stars, etc. What started as a fun game quickly becomes a tedious chore you just wish would end.”
- story8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, with some players appreciating its interesting premise and the challenge it presents, particularly in the first half of the game. However, criticism arises regarding repetitive mission waves and a negative final impression due to increasing difficulty. Overall, while the narrative adds value and extends gameplay, it may not resonate with everyone.
“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.”
“It's pretty interesting to watch them during the first 2-3 missions.”
“+ Good new story that adds several hours to the game time.”
“My final impression about this story and setting is totally negative.”
“The waves of each mission are short and always the same.”
“I'm not crazy about the health concept that provides the 'story' for this game.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as light and plucky, fitting the cartoony graphics, though opinions vary widely; some find it enjoyable and worth the price, while others consider it unremarkable and forgettable. Overall, it complements the gameplay but lacks standout qualities that would make it memorable.
“The music alone makes it worth it, let alone the thrill of unlocking upgrades and facing new enemies.”
“There are good soundtracks and so many different types of towers.”
“The graphics are cute, and the music is light and plucky.”
“The soundtrack is unremarkable, and I can remember nothing I want to say about it.”
“The controls are okay, but it's too cutesy and chunky for my tower defense tastes, and the main menu option is a lie: it won't let you turn off the background music.”
“Simple cartoony graphics with weird K-Mart off-brand art design, cheesy music, some Engrish, a decent sense of progression and rising challenge.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably poor, particularly in later levels and on higher difficulty settings, where players have reported significant drops in frame rates, with some experiencing as low as 9 fps. Despite the game's basic mechanics and art style, the performance issues detract from the overall experience, leading to a lack of recommendation from users.
“Runs smoothly”
“Considering how basic this game is, there really shouldn't be performance issues.”
“The mechanics themselves are as generic as they come.”
“My final complaint is regarding game performance; in later levels on hard difficulty, performance (fps) starts to take a noticeable hit. 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.”
“Ignoring the infuriating performance of the game that is enough to not recommend it, the mechanics themselves are as generic as they come.”
“The art style doesn't warrant such poor performance; 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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humorous concept, particularly the comedic experience of navigating through a character's body to combat germs. While the humor adds to the enjoyment, players have noted a significant bug on Linux that hampers gameplay. Overall, it combines entertaining tower defense mechanics with a lighthearted tone.
“The concept is really funny.”
“I find it hilarious going through this dude's body fighting off germs and whatnot.”
“Great tower defense with a good sense of humor.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game primarily revolves around in-game purchases for diamonds, which can be used to buy additional resources like oxygen and lives. While the game is designed to be beatable without these purchases, players can manipulate item quantities to gain in-game currency. Overall, it retains a freemium structure typical of mobile ports, with microtransactions being a notable aspect, though some players enjoy the game without them.
“Fun little game with microtransactions turned off!”
“The only negative is the available 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 to do that, you can easily change the item numbers to provide you in-game 'money'.”
“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 these, but if you fail, you can easily change the item numbers to provide you in-game 'money'.”
“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 through the sale of 'gems' (and probably ads as well).”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers reasonable replayability, particularly for players who enjoy improving their scores and experiencing its unique take on the tower defense genre. However, some users feel that it lacks depth, which can diminish the overall replay value.
“Replay value is high if you enjoy achieving better scores or completing challenges.”
“Not a very in-depth game, but it offers reasonable replayability with its own twist on the tower defense genre.”
“For me, at least, it destroys replayability.”
“Not a very in-depth game, but reasonable replayability and its own twist to the tower defense genre.”
“Replay value is high if you like having a better score or whatever.”
- 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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report a high level of stability, noting that they encountered no glitches during gameplay.
“I didn't encounter any glitches during my gameplay.”
“The game runs smoothly without any issues.”
“I experienced consistent performance throughout my playthrough.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features engaging character development alongside a fun defense gameplay mechanic, complemented by humorous enemies and troops that enhance the overall experience.
“The character development in this game is fantastic, allowing players to truly customize their heroes and make them feel unique.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each with their own backstory and growth that adds depth to the gameplay.”
“The progression system for character development is engaging, making every choice feel impactful and rewarding.”
