Element TD 2 - Mazing Expansion Review Summary

The DLC adds great value and innovative mazing to a complex, deep, top-tier tower defense with a nostalgic Warcraft 3 feel, but the developers left game issues unresolved.

DLC is great value: Reviewers consistently praise the DLC as a well-made, amazing addition that offers great value and enhances the base game.

Innovative pathbuilding and mazing: A standout feature is the ability to build towers in the field rather than on edges, adding depth and risk-reward to maze strategies.

Top-tier tower defense game: Many consider this game one of the best tower defense games on the market, with the DLC further solidifying its excellence.

Adds complexity and depth: The DLC adds new layers of complexity, such as pathbuilding and tower-focused strategies, deepening the gameplay.

Nostalgic WC3 tower defense feel: The DLC evokes the feeling of classic Warcraft 3 modded tower defense maps, appealing to fans of old-school custom games.

Developers abandoned game with unresolved issues: The developers left many problems unresolved after almost five years and are now making another game. They also implement wasteful ideas instead of fixing actual problems.

Strongest build unbalanced for years: The strongest build has been unbalanced for almost three years, making all other builds useless. It is even getting buffed again in a possible final patch.

Developers harass players providing feedback: The developers refuse to fix problems and instead harass players who provide feedback. One developer accused a reviewer of bringing imaginary people into discussions.

Discord community heavily moderated and unwelcoming: The Discord community is controlled and no one talks there for months. It is heavily moderated and discouraging discussion.

Campaign too short with few chapters: The campaign is too little, with only 2 chapters. The DLC campaign is also shorter and easier.

Maze building core mechanic: Maze building is a core mechanic where players construct paths that monsters follow, often combining maze walls with tower placement. This adds strategic depth and planning.

Campaign and DLC content: Multiple campaigns are available, including DLC that adds new campaigns, missions, and game modes. The expansions significantly extend the game's content.

Strategic planning and efficiency: The game emphasizes strategic planning, efficiency, and developing new skills. Players must devise effective strategies to succeed.

Co-op and multiplayer modes: The game features cooperative and online multiplayer modes, including maps specifically designed for co-op play. Players can team up to tackle challenges together.

Maze DLC features: The Maze DLC introduces a new mazing system, additional maps, and a risk-reward system. It builds on the original game with new mechanics and challenges.

Hosting skews playtime tracking: Players report that Steam fails to count hours played when another person is hosting the game session. This makes playtime records inaccurate for users who frequently join others' hosted games.

Positive DLC Recommendation: Many reviewers recommend the DLC as a worthwhile addition to the base game, calling it a no-brainer for fans and saying it adds to the experience. They feel it is definitely worth the price.

Anti-Developer Sentiment: A cluster of feedback urges players not to support the developers and to save time and money instead. They suggest supporting other studios that do it better.

Play Base First: Some reviewers advise playing the base game first to learn mechanics before getting the Maze DLC. Others recommend playing the original Element TD2 before jumping into Mazing.

Fun Co-op Experience: Players highlight the co-op mode as super fun and highly recommend it. The cooperative gameplay is a key selling point for this title.

Worth Full Price: Reviewers encourage trying the game and assert that full price is definitely worth it. They believe the overall experience justifies the cost.

Community fair range: $0.00 - $0.00.

Session length: 4.0h.

Players describe this co-op title as fun right away, with the single player campaign and the ability to play with non-owning friends cited as strong immediate draws. The main caveats are a steep multiplayer learning curve and the heavy planning and teamwork that co-op demands.

Friction: Multiplayer can be tough for new players; New players must hold a quick picture of their final layout in mind; Co-op play demands a lot of brainpower and teamwork; Limited number of co-op maps (only 6) noted by a player requesting more.

Competitive PvP TD Veteran: Ranked PvP and leaderboard optimization, often using unconventional builds like Money Towers. Motivation: Prove competitive mastery through top scores and high PvP ranks. Stance: buy.

Casual Co-op Teammate: Normal-mode co-op, devising strategies with a friend, emphasizing teamwork and humor. Motivation: Have fun and cooperate with friends in co-op maps. Stance: buy.

Base-Game Expansion Loyalist: Plays through campaigns and new co-op maps, treating the DLC as a direct continuation of the base game. Motivation: Extend a favorite base game with more campaigns, co-op maps, and expansion content. Stance: buy.

Positive DLC Value and Content: The DLC is praised as a fair-priced expansion that adds a single-player campaign, achievements, new maps, and a new mazing system. It offers 10-15 hours of thoughtful gameplay and allows friends who don't own it to play.

Favorable Game Comparisons: Reviewers compare the game favorably to Warcraft III custom maps, Element TD 2, and classic expansions like The Conquerors and Brood War. It is often considered the best in its genre, even better than a Warcraft 3 map.

Studio Background and Game History: The studio, Counter-Intuitive Studios, has three games, and this game was released almost five years ago (in 2021). An Alpha version exists.

Community Moderation and Population: The game's Discord is heavily moderated and has a Contributor rank, contributing to a healthy community. The server population has increased over time.

Additional Map Variety: The expansion adds more maps, increasing replayability and offering new challenges. The wintermaul-inspired map is specifically noted as similar to Warcraft 3 Wintermauls.