A Heap of Creeps- Desktop Tower Defense Reviewed

Desktop Tower Defense for the Nintendo DS. Developer: Humagade, Publisher: THQ

Since its inception within user-made WarCraft III maps, the tower defense (or, TD) game has proven itself to be one of the most popular emergent genres in gaming. It contains an easily understood premise, a myriad of strategic options, and a premise that appeals to our primal instincts. The notion of protecting your base by killing any and all invaders satisfies a deep-rooted and mysterious urge; many find the genre strangely fulfilling.  While PC users have a multitude of TD variants to choose from, Nintendo DS owners have had a scant number of viable options. 

With the recent port of Desktop Tower Defense, the award-winning Flash game, players can gratify their primitive inclinations on the go. While some may scoff at the idea of paying for a title that is available online for free, a reduced MSRP and a bevy of customization options make this game a feasible selection for TD fans.

The goal of any tower defense game is to stop the tide of impeding foes by constructing a maze of offensive measures. By building a network of strategically-placed attack towers, the player creates obstacles that slow the enemy, and whittle away their health. Players start with a limited amount of currency that is augmented when each antagonist is eliminated. With these newly acquired assets, players can build more lethal and complex labyrinths to impede the enemy barrage. Each of the variations in Desktop Tower Defense offers a slight twist on this basic principle; games can take place on two grid sizes, and options adjust the number and strength of enemy waves. While some may find enough content in the cartridge’s multitude of variations, others may quickly tire of the game’s single, simple premise.

Desktop Tower Defense offers both stylus based and d-pad centered methods of control. Unlike many TD games which present upgrade and sale options when an individual tower is selected, DTD favors quick access to these options. Upgrading a string of buildings can be accomplished quickly, by pressing the ‘X’ button on each unit. Although this input method was dissimilar to most TD games, after a brief learning curve it became delightfully intuitive.

Although the concept of designing your own towers and creeps was initially exciting, DTD’s execution is frustratingly limited. Players are given a basic set of paint tools to draw on a 14×14 grid- a canvas size that is too small to show much detail. Once produced, the user-created sprites are animated automatically by rotating the shape in place. Players aren’t burdened with creating individual frames of animation. Although gamers can trade custom sprites, the swap must be made locally; we would have liked to see more online integration. Allowing players to customize and exchange custom game scenarios would have added to the game’s value.

Desktop Tower Defense has a design aesthetic that looks decidedly retro, with marginally animated, pixilated characters.  Although the title lacks visual lavishness, the game’s framerate remains steady, even when the screen is filled with a cascade of foes and projectiles. The title’s sonic delivery is minimal, primary consisting of the noise of offensive weapons, and the plaintive electronic yelps from downed enemies.

Nintendo DS owners craving the light strategy of a tower defense title have two viable options. While Ninjatown offers a graphically superior take on the genre, Desktop Tower Defense offers players a myriad of customizable options, making the title a worth investment for its twenty dollar MSRP.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

31 comments

  1. I think I’ll save my $20, doesn’t sound like it offers much beyond the basic game.

  2. While this looks and plays like DTD, somethings missing. I bought it yesterday and it fells really bland.

  3. I can see myself paying $20 for the privilege of playing this on the go. I’d pay $10 for PixelJunk Monsters for PSP, though.

  4. Alexander Grape

    When I got this the onscreen menu frustrated me. They should have indicated that you cant build towers on the right side of the screen.

  5. Last Starfighter

    After playing the hell of DTD on the PC, I’m done with the game.

  6. Think I’ll think with Ninjatown. I hope there’s a sequel.

  7. Whats missing?

  8. I don’t understand when they try to sell free games by adding a few features.

  9. Buttaface Lover

    The ability to make sprite sounds cool. Now, if you could make your own weapons that would be awesome.

  10. Worth a look at $10 or so…

  11. Never played the game, so I’ll check out the flash game.

  12. TD games are great, but they could have been done on a NES or even SNES. Graphics really dont matter.

  13. Personality and those cool tower sound effects like the pop that sounded like it was someone saying ‘pop’ into a mic.

  14. Releasing for $20 make the defense game offensive.

  15. RocksontheScotch

    IS there any homebrew TD games for the DS?

  16. Why have they never made Chu Chu Rocket for the DS? Seems like a perfect fit!

    BTW- The screenshots reminded me of the game.

  17. $20 doesn’t seem to bad for this.

  18. I must have put 50 hours into DTD.

  19. Graphic look downgrades for the DS. Probably to keep the framerate high.

  20. Yeah, I agree. NinjaTown is great but a little too straight forward.

  21. QuarterPounder

    I never knew that TD started with WarCraft. Crazy.

  22. I’m going to have to wait, too.

  23. Who are the creeps?

  24. I have to agree.

  25. idk about this one. I like TD games, but this one doesn’t offer much new.

  26. I love desktop tower defense! I’ll be getting the ds version fir sure.

  27. They’re the bad guys in the game.

  28. A bit pricey for a free game.

  29. Good review. I might try this.

  30. Looks more colorful than the flash game.

  31. Never heard of the DS port. Needs a wi-fi battle system for multiple players.