Summary
Base defense games offer some of the mostaddictive gameplay loopsaround, thanks in large part to the naturally satisfying cycle of building, defending, and re-building a stronghold built from the ground up. These games often include elements from a variety of genres, but primarily takefrom tower defense, base-builders, and real-time strategy games.
These games can even play similarly to colony-sims such asRimWorld, tasking players with managing the well-being of their people while defending their base simultaneously. Some real-time strategy games, such asThey Are Billions, devote their entire gameplay loop to the act of base defense, while others, such asKenshi, simply include it as an option in awider sandbox.
This Steampunk base-defense game tasks players with building and defending a colony from hordes of flesh-eating zombies. These zombies are fast, deadly, and large in number, making it a difficult task to fight them off. It’s easy to lose everything in the blink of an eye when playingThey Are Billions, but efficient management and a good strategy can yield successful results.
Enemy swarms may get a little overwhelming, especially for newcomers, butThey Are Billionsis mercifully agreat real-time-with-pause game, allowing players to construct buildings and give orders even while paused.They Are Billionscan get a little repetitive, but its gameplay loop is tremendously addictive. Furthermore, its uniqueSteampunk art styleand blend of base-building and unit management makes for a satisfying experience overall.
Though it features minimalistpixel-art graphics,From Glory To Goois a solidly-built indie game that combines elements of the colony-sim, real-time strategy, and base-defense genres. The game features hero units, army management, and base-building mechanics that result in diverse gameplay that can be rather addictive.
From Glory To Goois currently in Early Access, though its primary gameplay loop — a traditional survival mode — is already fleshed-out. The developer has stated on the game’s Steam page that they plan to add campaign missions to the game eventually, which would give the game some extra replay value. However, as is,From Glory To Goois relatively replayable thanks to the variety of factions and hero units.
Kenshiis agreat sandbox-RPGthat players control through real-time strategy gameplay, commanding their character and their squad members in real-time-with-pause. The addition of a tactical pause makesKenshi’sbrutal combat encounters much more strategic than they otherwise would be, allowing players to carefully position and command their units stress-free.
Kenshialso features base-building elements, although building and defending a base is no small feat; there’s an ensemble of hostile creatures and factions inKenshi, and players will have to gather a skilled and well-equipped group of warriors before they can think about defending a base from them. However, successfully building and defending a base is one of the more rewarding activities inKenshi, and having a place to call home can be tremendously helpful in the game’s harsh and unforgiving wasteland environments.
Cataclismolives and dies with its core mechanic, a modular building system that allows players to build castles as though they were playing with LEGOs. This freeing system for building makes constructing defenses a joy, providing much of the game’s fun. However,Cataclismois no mechanical slouch, offering a strategic base-defense experiencedrenched in a gloomy atmosphere.
Visually,Cataclismois a treat, featuring a subdued color palette and a cartoon style to its textures. The real-time strategy elements are minimal, with more of a focus on the construction and defense of the base itself, but it’s still a worthwhile foray for fans of the RTS genre.
This combination of base defense and real-time strategy isa minimalist effortthat provides an accessible but stylish experience with an addictive gameplay loop.Thronefalltasks players with defending their keep from waves of enemies, using defensive structures and armies of soldiers in order to do so.
Thronefallhandles real-time strategy mechanics in a unique way, giving players control of a character and allowing them to control their units from horseback using intuitive controls. While players aren’t able to micromanage their units as they would in a traditional RTS, this unique method of control results in a wholly accessible experience.
In its gameplay,Stronghold Crusaderis very much like the originalStronghold, sharing much of its DNA, butStronghold Crusaderfeatures the addition ofa skirmish mode, allowing players to load up a custom game and build/defend their castle in a more free-flowing game structure.
Not only does this dramatically improveStronghold Crusader’sreplay value, but it offers a way to enjoy the game for players who dislike the traditional structure and limitations ofStronghold’scampaign missions. In this mode, players can build and defend their castle as they see fit, engaging in the classic “castle-sim” gameplay thatStrongholdis known for, managing their defenses, resources, and armies simultaneously.
