Mainframe Defenders

About

Mainframe Defenders is a single player survival role playing game. It was developed by Synthetic Domain and was released on February 25, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Mainframe Defenders" is a tower defense game set in a digital world. Protect the mainframe by strategically placing an array of towers and abilities to fend off relentless waves of cyber enemies. With upgrades, power-ups, and various difficulty modes, players must adapt and evolve their strategies to safeguard the mainframe in this synthetic domain.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 400 reviews

story22 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

Rich content with deep customization options for mechs, allowing for varied strategies and builds.
Engaging turn-based tactical gameplay that rewards careful planning and decision-making.
Retro graphics and a catchy soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.

Lack of an undo button can lead to frustrating misclicks during gameplay.
Some players find the game repetitive after a few hours due to limited mission variety.
The user interface and graphics may feel dated or unpolished to some players.

story
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
78%
6%
The game's story is minimal and often feels secondary to the gameplay, with many players noting a lack of depth and variety in mission types. While the narrative framework involves completing missions against enemy robots, it is often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and a focus on tactical mechanics rather than a compelling storyline. Overall, players express a desire for more engaging story elements and mission variety to enhance the experience.
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “The story of this game begins with the penetration of the virus into the research complex 'Stargazer'.”
- “A fascinating tactical game with unusual graphics, a variety of loot and interesting missions!”
- “The story bit is not even needed, as the objectives tell you what you need to do at the start, though for some reason, they only tell you part 1 of the objective, and not that you’ll have to kill all the enemy bots anyway as well.”
- “Barely a story to speak of if that matters to you.”
- “The game has, in the couple of hours I played it, like five mission types it repeats endlessly, and even random level generation doesn't really make them different except keeping you guessing which direction the objective is in.”
gameplay
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
The gameplay is characterized by its intuitive yet deep mechanics, offering a blend of turn-based strategy and tactical RPG elements that can be both addictive and rewarding. While some players find the combat and enemy variety somewhat repetitive, the game compensates with interesting gear, strategic planning, and a variety of mechanics that encourage thoughtful decision-making. Overall, it provides a satisfying experience for fans of the genre, despite some criticisms regarding its interface and occasional lack of depth compared to similar titles.
- “The gameplay is surprisingly complex, despite the simplicity of its mechanics.”
- “Great mix of tactical and roguelite gameplay.”
- “The mechanics are straightforward while strategy has a lot of depth, which makes this game accessible from the get-go and somewhat difficult to master.”
- “I found the gameplay to be a bit on the repetitive side in terms of player/foe movement and combat options, which aren't too different from what you can expect from other turn-based strategy games on the market.”
- “Difficult to read text combined with gameplay that mostly consists of comparing numbers added to the general frustration I had at not really understanding what was going on.”
- “There are about 4 mission types and grinding them becomes boring after a lot of gameplay.”
graphics
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The graphics of the game are predominantly pixel art with a retro aesthetic that evokes nostalgia, appealing to fans of classic 80s and 90s visuals. While some players find the graphics charming and fitting for the gameplay, others criticize them for being visually confusing or lacking polish. Overall, the minimalist design is seen as a deliberate choice that complements the game's mechanics, though it may not satisfy those seeking high-end visuals.
- “The graphics are in a style that's unique but somehow nostalgic to me.”
- “The retro graphics are pleasing to the eye, and the soundtrack is fun too.”
- “Its visuals are stellar, if you're into the retro style, with plenty of very satisfying little animations and effects.”
- “The graphics are a bit abstract and may take some getting used to, but once you are past that it's actually very easy to read, especially if you are familiar with XCOM and XCOM 2.”
- “This one I can't handle the visuals and lack of information on the screen.”
- “- '80s terminal' pixel art visuals that are as stylish as they're plain ugly (there's good reason why computers don't look like that anymore)...”
music
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
31%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its engaging and fitting soundtrack, often described as "great," "amazing," and "banging," particularly in the synthwave genre. While some players noted issues with looping and repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music enhances the gameplay experience and complements the retro aesthetic effectively. Many players found themselves enjoying the soundtrack so much that they would leave the game open just to listen to it.
- “The music is so fitting for the game, it's hard not to love it.”
- “Excellent synthwave soundtrack fits the retrofuturist aesthetic and the various screen filters turn anyone's 2k monitor into a buzzing CRT screen from the early 80s.”
- “The game has great music - really love it!!!”
- “The graphic is bad, the music is bad and the fighting animations are boring.”
- “Music is cool, but super repetitive.”
- “It definitely feels a little unpolished and low budget in some areas - e.g. the way music tracks end and repeat instead of cleanly looping.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
Replayability in the game varies significantly among players; some find it highly replayable due to unlockable content and diverse builds, while others feel it lacks depth and becomes repetitive after a few runs. Many appreciate the strategic elements and customization options that enhance replay value, but some note that the game can be completed relatively quickly, leading to mixed opinions on its long-term engagement. Overall, the game offers a blend of replayability factors, appealing to those who enjoy roguelite mechanics but may not satisfy everyone seeking extensive replay options.
- “Great replayability with new unlocks and different builds.”
- “To me this is perfection in rogue-like games and makes this one highly replayable.”
- “Unlockable units and items add replay value.”
- “It is a fun game, it is not super replayable but I got 29 hours out of it and completed it on very hard mode.”
- “Just don't expect much replayability; I found myself running the same builds and strategies.”
- “The game has a lack of content and low replay value.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic 1980s vibe, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and unique visuals. While many players appreciate the moody and immersive experience, some note that the repetition and ease of gameplay can detract from the overall impact. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm.
- “Loved the atmosphere it creates.”
- “I am pleasantly surprised by this atmosphere of the 80s and this music.”
- “Even the music is chosen perfectly and harmonizes with the atmosphere of the game.”
- “Like the overall atmosphere of the game, but the repetition is a big letdown for me.”
- “Having bought this game once, you will get a whole bunch of positive emotions, you will be able to remember the atmosphere of the games of the 1980s.”
- “Small in scale, big in atmosphere.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Players note that while the game avoids tedious micromanagement and filler content, the limited variety of mission types leads to grinding that can become monotonous over time. Despite meaningful choices, the repetitive nature of the gameplay can detract from long-term enjoyment.
- “No filler dialogue, no tedious experience last hit management, no worrying about what color your units' offspring's hair will be.”
- “The grinding feels rewarding, as every effort contributes to meaningful progress in the game.”
- “I appreciate how the grinding mechanics are designed to keep me engaged without feeling like a chore.”
- “Although it will get grindy for gameplay and replay value.”
- “There are about four mission types, and grinding them becomes boring after a lot of gameplay.”
- “The best I can say is that almost every choice you make matters, and there isn't such a load of insignificant micromanagement, which only gets tedious with time.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally resonant, citing its retro graphics and nostalgic elements that evoke fond memories of childhood. The combination of pixel art and 2D design effectively taps into a sense of longing for the past, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
- “A strategy game that evokes a touching nostalgia.”
- “This game reminded me of my childhood; the pixel and 2D graphics made me feel nostalgic.”
- “Retro graphics made me feel like a dandy.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, user experiences with stability are mixed; while some report a smooth experience without glitches or crashes, others note that the game is somewhat buggy in its current state.
- “Kinda buggy in its current state.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers express frustration over the presence of permanent ads in a paid game, feeling that it undermines the value of their purchase and detracts from the overall gaming experience.
- “There are permanent ads in a paid game, which feels incredibly frustrating.”
- “The monetization strategy is aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “I can't believe they charge for the game and still bombard us with ads.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the game's humor to be exceptionally entertaining, particularly for those who appreciate its specific tactical and strategic elements.
- “If you are into a certain type of tactics and strategy, this game is hilariously good.”
- “The humor in this game is so clever that it keeps you laughing while you strategize.”
- “I never expected to laugh this much while playing a strategy game; the jokes are spot on!”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development begins with engaging potential, but players often find that it becomes stagnant as they max out abilities early in the campaign, leading to a lack of further progression or desire for growth.
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to truly shape their heroes' personalities and abilities throughout the game.”
- “I love how the choices I make impact my character's growth, making each playthrough feel unique and personal.”
- “The progression system is well-balanced, providing a satisfying sense of achievement as my character evolves and gains new skills.”