Info about Element TD 2 - Tower Defense: Official game description: Element TD 2 is the culmination of 15 years of Tower Defense development, with the original mod having been downloaded over 5 million times across WarCraft 3, StarCraft 2 and Dota 2. With dozens of towers, alongside an array of maps to test your defenses, this is a feature-packed standalone sequel prepared to challenge Tower Defense players. Let Elements Collide -------------------- With 6 elements that combine to create 59 unique towers, you will need to anticipate incoming waves, their elements, and tailor your approach to maximize your defense. Each element has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right upgrade paths is crucial to winning. Cooperate To Conquer -------------------- Work with up to 8 players to synergize your elemental choices, tower upgrades, and plan your placements. Together you will withstand the enemy assault of ever increasing waves, culminating in an endless boss battle. Compete To Survive ------------------ There is also a cutthroat game of survival to play. Buckle down and turtle to outlast your opponents in the long run or go in hard and fast to rush them to their death. With both 8 player free-for-all and 1v1 ranked play, you have choices in how to compete with others. Test Your Fortitude ------------------- The singleplayer campaign currently spans 28 missions to put even the most experienced Tower Defense player to the test. Take on unique maps, enemies, and bosses in a challenging gauntlet that provides an experience never before seen in Element TD. Features -------- * **59 Towers** with unique abilities created through multiple elemental upgrade paths. * **Co-op mode** lets up to 8 players team up at once. * **Campaign mode** to hone your skills and survive against ever increasing challenges. * **6 Elements** to empower your towers to create powerful diverse defenses. * **55 Waves** to truly challenge your defenses, culminating in an endless boss. * **26 Maps** with unique biomes to test your tactics on diverse layouts. * **10 Modifiers** to significantly alter the gameplay to your liking. * **Global servers** allow for cross-region multiplayer. * **Leaderboards** to compete against other players for top score. * **Replay support** to showcase your victories and learn strategies from others. * **Unlockable cosmetics** allows you to customize your builder. * **Hundreds of Achievements** gives you an endless supply of challenges to beat. Release date: Apr 2, 2021 Categories: Tower Defense, Cooperative Multiplayer, Competitive Multiplayer, Elemental Combat System, Strategy, Multiplayer, Single-player Campaigns, Endless Mode Feature scans: - Steam Deck: score 30; verdict: Good with Minor Issues; summary: The overall experience with the game on Steam Deck appears to be positive, with users expressing enjoyment and appreciation for frequent updates. However, there were some stability issues mentioned, although they seem to have improved recently. - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00 - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the game is considered worth the money, especially when purchased on sale. Multiple reviews mention that the game is worth it at a discounted price, indicating that the community finds the base price slightly high but fair when reduced. The general sentiment is that the game provides good value for money, particularly for fans of the Tower Defense genre. - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: 300.0h - Story completion: 37.0h - Session length: 1.0h - Endgame: 200.0h - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct and indirect references to playtime. The mention of 'hundreds of hours' is a strong indicator of extensive playtime for game completion and endgame content. The reference to '37 hours played already' suggests a significant investment in the game, likely pointing towards story completion and session length. The mention of a campaign with additional challenges also supports the idea of substantial playtime for story completion. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: The game offers a fun and engaging experience both solo and with friends, with a focus on tactical gameplay and strategic depth. The fun increases as players progress and unlock more elements, particularly in the late game. - Stance: Fun then drops - Anchor: Mastering the game mechanics and reaching the late game - Time to anchor: 2h 0m - Friction: Steep learning curve; Multiplayer connectivity issues; Lack of players in multiplayer modes - Unlock drivers: Mastering game mechanics; Progressing to late game; Playing with friends - Conditions: Solo play; Co-op play; Different game modes; Strategic and tactical gameplay - Player Archetypes: - Nostalgic Veteran (buy) - Motivation: Nostalgia and familiarity with the Warcraft 3 mod. - Playstyle: Strategic and experienced, often comparing to past experiences. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: Warcraft 3 fan; veteran player - Reference games: Warcraft 3; DotA 2 - Cooperative Strategist (buy) - Motivation: Enjoyment of multiplayer and cooperative gameplay. - Playstyle: Collaborative and strategic, focusing on teamwork and social interaction. - Experience: mixed - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: co-op player; multiplayer enthusiast - Reference games: Warcraft 3; DotA 2 - Solo Campaigner (sale) - Motivation: Enjoyment of single-player content and strategic depth. - Playstyle: Strategic and methodical, focusing on single-player campaigns and survival modes. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: sale - Labels: single-player fan; strategy enthusiast - Reference games: Warcraft 3; DotA 2 Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Highly praised tower defense gameplay (weight 0.58): The game is widely recognized as one of the best tower defense games available, offering a fun and enjoyable experience for fans of the genre. It is praised for its creative and rich gameplay, making it highly recommended for classic tower defense fans. - Nostalgic Warcraft 3 elements (weight 0.57): The game brings back nostalgia for Warcraft 3, with elements reminiscent of the classic game. This includes custom maps and gameplay similar to Warcraft 3 tower defense mod, appealing to fans of the original. - Diverse multiplayer modes (weight 0.48): The game offers a variety of multiplayer modes, including co-op and PVP, which are highly enjoyed by players. These modes provide great fun and cater to different preferences, enhancing the overall gaming experience. - Enjoyable campaign mode (weight 0.38): The game features an enjoyable and complete campaign mode that players thoroughly enjoy. The campaign is praised for its depth and challenge. - Variety of towers (weight 0.32): The game features a wide range of towers with different characteristics and options. This variety allows for diverse strategies and tactics. - Enjoyable and fun game (weight 0.32): Players find the game enjoyable and fun, with many hours of entertainment. The game is praised for its fun co-op play and overall enjoyable experience. - Worth the purchase (weight 0.28): Players find the game worth the purchase, considering it well worth its price. The game is seen as a good value for those who enjoy the style. - Impressive graphics (weight 0.25): The game's graphics are noted for being enjoyable and impressive, contributing to the overall positive experience. Some players appreciate the nostalgia evoked by the graphics. - Deep strategic gameplay (weight 0.23): The game offers a deeply strategic core with a wealth of customization and challenge. Players appreciate the strategic depth and the variety of tactics available. - High replayability (weight 0.19): The game is noted for its high replayability, offering good gameplay experiences that can be enjoyed solo or with friends. This adds considerable value to the game. - Easy to learn, hard to master (weight 0.14): The game is designed to be easy to learn but difficult to master, providing a challenging experience for players. This design choice is appreciated by the community. - Improved multiplayer and netcode (weight 0.14): Recent improvements to the game include better netcode and enhanced multiplayer experiences. These updates are well-received by the community. - Balanced and challenging gameplay (weight 0.14): The game offers balanced and challenging gameplay, which is both fun and interesting. This aspect of the game is highly appreciated by players. - Wide range of difficulty options (weight 0.14): The game provides a variety of difficulty levels, catering to different skill levels and preferences. This adds to the game's appeal and replayability. - Elemental combination system (weight 0.14): The game includes an elemental combination system that adds complexity and replayability. Players enjoy the crafting system for elemental towers, which expands gameplay options. Common complaints: - Low player base (weight 0.52): The game suffers from a lack of active players, making multiplayer modes nearly unplayable and reducing replay value. - Lack of strategic depth (weight 0.47): The game lacks strategic depth and interesting iterations on the formula, making it feel shallow and repetitive. - Few and poorly designed maps (weight 0.45): There are not enough maps, and the existing ones are poorly designed, reducing the game's appeal and replayability. - Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.44): The game suffers from various technical issues, including crashes, bugs, and performance problems, especially in multiplayer modes. - Repetitive gameplay (weight 0.4): Players find the gameplay monotonous and boring, with repetitive mechanics that fail to keep interest over time. - Steep learning curve (weight 0.32): The game is not newbie-friendly and has a steep learning curve, which can be off-putting for newcomers and difficult to grasp. - High difficulty and grind (weight 0.31): The game has a high difficulty curve and requires a lot of grinding, which can be off-putting for many players. - Outdated and confusing UI (weight 0.29): The game's interface and controls feel outdated and are often confusing, making it difficult for players to navigate and enjoy the game. - Multiplayer connectivity issues (weight 0.25): Multiplayer modes suffer from connectivity issues, including lag, disconnects, and the need for all players to have a solid connection. - Visual and interface problems (weight 0.24): The game has visual issues, including an unpleasant interface and unclear UI, which detract from the overall experience. - Game balance issues (weight 0.22): The game suffers from balance issues, including poorly balanced maps and challenges, making it frustrating to play. - Lack of cooperative content (weight 0.21): There is no cooperative campaign, and the limited co-op maps available are not interesting for replay, reducing the game's cooperative appeal. - Lack of content and originality (weight 0.21): The game lacks original ideas and interesting content, making it feel repetitive and uninspired compared to free alternatives. - Translation and localization issues (weight 0.2): The game has translation errors and incomplete localization, making it difficult for non-English speakers to enjoy. - Lack of customization and creation tools (weight 0.13): There is no mode to create custom mazes or maps, limiting the game's creativity and replay value. - Lack of story and characters (weight 0.13): The game lacks a compelling story and characters, making the campaign feel uninteresting and stale. Gameplay feedback: - Diverse Tower Defense Mechanics (weight 0.97): The game features a variety of tower defense mechanics, including elemental combinations, tower synergies, and strategic tower placement and upgrades. - Multiplayer and Co-op Modes (weight 0.56): The game offers multiple multiplayer and cooperative modes, including co-op skirmishes, competitive multiplayer, and various multiplayer tactics. - Elemental Mechanics and Interactions (weight 0.47): Elemental mechanics play a significant role, with various elements like light, shadow, water, fire, nature, and earth interacting to create buffs, debuffs, and new tower combinations. - Variety of Maps and Game Modes (weight 0.38): The game includes a variety of unique, maze-like maps and multiple game modes, such as single-player campaign, co-op, and competitive multiplayer. - Challenging and Strategic Gameplay (weight 0.32): The gameplay is challenging and strategy-based, offering high replayability and deep, diverse tower defense mechanics. - Skill Tree and Customization (weight 0.11): Players can customize their experience through a skill tree, adding another layer of strategy and personalization. - Difficulty Options (weight 0.11): The game offers a variety of difficulty levels and randomized options, catering to different player preferences and skill levels. Performance notes: - Performance issues with many creeps (weight 0.23): Players experience framerate issues and FPS drops when there are many creeps on screen, particularly in later waves and during late-game co-op sessions. - Improved netcode and visuals (weight 0.16): The game has seen recent improvements in its netcode, contributing to a better multiplayer experience. Additionally, the visuals are sleek and polished, with smooth particle effects and animations. - Frequent crashes and disconnects (weight 0.16): Players have reported unexpected crashes and frequent disconnects, which disrupt the gaming experience. These issues seem to be persistent and affect various aspects of gameplay. - Connection and latency issues (weight 0.15): There are noticeable lag and delay in multiplayer modes, with global connection issues causing latency. This affects the overall multiplayer experience. - Optimization issues (weight 0.15): The game has poor optimization, leading to various performance issues. This is particularly noticeable in late-game scenarios and when there are many creeps on screen. - Compatibility with various platforms (weight 0.14): The game is compatible with various platforms, including the Steam Deck. It also supports different hardware configurations like DX11 and specific processors like Ryzen 5800x. - Smooth performance on mid-range hardware (weight 0.11): The game runs smoothly on mid-range gaming laptops and performs well on PC. This indicates good optimization for a range of hardware specifications. - High machine workload (weight 0.11): The game demands a high machine workload compared to other games, which might require players to have more powerful hardware for optimal performance. Recommendations: - Worth buying in a bundle (weight 0.2): Many reviews mention that the game is worth buying, especially when it is available at an affordable price in a bundle or on sale. - Try free DotA 2 mod first (weight 0.11): Players suggest trying the free DotA 2 mod before purchasing to ensure enjoyment of the gameplay. - Get the 'Mazing' DLC (weight 0.07): Players recommend getting the 'Mazing' DLC for additional content and enhanced gameplay experience. - Add level-up mechanics for towers (weight 0.07): Players want level-up mechanics for towers to add depth and progression to the gameplay. - More single-player customization (weight 0.06): There is a desire for more options for single-player customization to enhance the gaming experience. - Play Defense Grid (weight 0.06): Some reviews suggest playing Defense Grid, possibly indicating a similar or related game that players enjoy. - Increase interest and sell percentages (weight 0.06): Suggestions to increase interest and sell percentages, possibly through marketing or game improvements. Other player notes: - Russian localization created (weight 0.07): The game has been localized into Russian, which can help reach a wider audience. - Localization issues present (weight 0.06): There are some problems with the localization, which might affect the gaming experience for non-English speaking players. Emotions: - Nostalgia (weight 0.19): Players feel nostalgic due to the game's strong resemblance to classic Warcraft 3 custom maps and tower defense games. The modernized UI and gameplay elements evoke memories of the original Warcraft 3 era, bringing back the feel of the good old days. - Frustration (weight 0.17): Players are frustrated by the game's complexity, lack of tutorials, and high difficulty, especially in later stages. Bugs, crashes, and issues with multiplayer lag and disconnects also contribute to this frustration. - Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the game due to its balanced and engaging gameplay, high replayability, and the variety of elemental attributes. Playing with friends and experimenting with tower combos also enhance the enjoyment. - Disappointment (weight 0.12): Players express disappointment due to the lack of cooperative campaign, outdated controls, and limited multiplayer content. The game's lack of depth in single-player mode and incomplete localization also contribute to this feeling. - Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players are satisfied with the game's faithful and upgraded version, smooth performance, and recent improvements in game stability. The high replay value and good quality of life improvements also contribute to their satisfaction. - Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's strategic depth, customization options, and future updates. The rewarding feeling of improvement and mastery, along with the engaging gameplay, adds to this excitement. - Happiness (weight 0.05): Players are happy with the game's pretty graphics, soundtrack, and high replayability. The fun gameplay and the evolution of skills and towers also contribute to their happiness. - Joy (weight 0.05): Players find joy in playing with friends, the art style, and variety of the game. The balanced and fun gameplay, along with the customizable tower hats, adds to this joy. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Players are enthusiastic about the depth and variety of gameplay mechanics and modes. The positive description of the game's features and developers also contributes to their enthusiasm. - Excited (weight 0.03): Players are excited about the creative gameplay and high extensibility of the game. The depth and variety of the game, along with the enjoyable campaign, add to this excitement. - Nostalgic (weight 0.03): Players feel nostalgic due to the game's comparison to classic RPG tower defense games and familiar gameplay from Warcraft 3. The mention of classic maps and similar games from the past evokes this nostalgia. - Satisfied (weight 0.03): Players are satisfied with the game's good level design, increasing enjoyment, and high replay value. The availability of multiple game modes and suitable price also contribute to their satisfaction. - Anticipation (weight 0.02): Players are anticipating future updates and improvements to the game. - Happy (weight 0.02): Players are happy with the enjoyable multiplayer experience. - Gratitude (weight 0.02): Players express gratitude for the respect shown to the original design and the countless hours of enjoyment the game provides. - Overwhelmed (weight 0.02): Players feel overwhelmed by the game's elemental mechanics and find it daunting at the start. - Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the effort put into adding new modes and features, expanding the original concept into a full-featured experience. - Challenge (weight 0.02): Players find the game challenging due to its complexity, depth of strategy, and difficulty in earning achievements.}