Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal

Interesting RTS that doesn't follow the usual formula. You are fighting against a rising liquid tide and have to plug your defences then expand outward. Has a simple yet effective art style that conveys all the information you need. Play style is reminiscent of tower defence but more immediate, at the same time levels can often feel like a puzzle. This combination means finishing a level is usually very satisfying. The game does an excellent job of gradually introducing the mechanics and units and the levels where they are introduced do a good job of teaching you how to use them effectively without holding your hand. The creep behaves intuitively leading to emergent strategies that the game never outright tells you about but make perfect sense, particularly as regards the terraforming. You can make walls and trenches to control the flow of the creep, or push back an area then build walls around it to expand into a large pool. The levels are varied enough that each new level has made me think 'ah interesting, how am I going to deal with this?' 

About the only negative I've found is that the sound design. Weapon sound effects can be very repetitive, especially when you are in the late stages of a level and have many mortars and strafers firing at once. Also the music while by no means bad is very penetrating and booming and combined with the sound effects can be extremely irritating for other people in the house who aren't playing the game. Easily sorted by turning the volume down and the games other qualities make this a relatively minor grumble.

If you like base building then this game is for you. If you like tower defense then this game is for you. If you like that strategy game feeling of being overwhelmed, insecure but just managing to stay alive and then gradually striking out, consolidating and becoming more and more powerful then this games every level is for you. Very much recommended, I should have got it full price.

Interesting RTS that doesn't follow the usual formula. You are fighting against a rising liquid tide and have to plug your defences then expand outward. Has a simple yet effective art style that conveys all the information you need. Play style is reminiscent of tower defence but more immediate, at the same time levels can often feel like a puzzle. This combination means finishing a level is usually very satisfying. The game does an excellent job of gradually introducing the mechanics and units and the levels where they are introduced do a good job of teaching you how to use them effectively without holding your hand. The creep behaves intuitively leading to emergent strategies that the game never outright tells you about but make perfect sense, particularly as regards the terraforming. You can make walls and trenches to control the flow of the creep, or push back an area then build walls around it to expand into a large pool. The levels are varied enough that each new level has made me think 'ah interesting, how am I going to deal with this?' 

About the only negative I've found is that the sound design. Weapon sound effects can be very repetitive, especially when you are in the late stages of a level and have many mortars and strafers firing at once. Also the music while by no means bad is very penetrating and booming and combined with the sound effects can be extremely irritating for other people in the house who aren't playing the game. Easily sorted by turning the volume down and the games other qualities make this a relatively minor grumble.

If you like base building then this game is for you. If you like tower defense then this game is for you. If you like that strategy game feeling of being overwhelmed, insecure but just managing to stay alive and then gradually striking out, consolidating and becoming more and more powerful then this games every level is for you. Very much recommended, I should have got it full price.