Before we enlighten you about the best tower defense games out there, we’d like to clarify that this list is an amalgamation of mainstream as well as mobile titles. That’s because by the looks of it, the genre has taken a completely new turn ever since the dawn of smartphones and tablets.
The addictive nature of such titles is characterized by hordes of enemies whose sole goal is grabbing what you’re trying to shield from them. Now of course, the game everyone’s talking about, Plants vs. Zombies will definitely be part of this roster for its zombie-filled treats. But we guarantee that all the other offerings which we’ve given a mention here too contain lots of excellent gameplay settings. So without much ado, let’s begin with the list.
1 – Sanctum:
Released via Steam last year, Sanctum took things up a notch by also offering a first-person shooter experience to players. This hybrid of the two genres kicks in a futuristic plot, which is accompanied by some equally futuristic visuals. What you need to do in Sanctum is simple. Keep putting up defensive structures, and while doing so, try to snuff out enemies yourself by wielding hi-tech weapons. Four-player co-op fun is also to be had in this gem of a title which was a sure fix in this list.
2 – TapDefense:
Now, for those of you who own iOS devices, the word ‘free app’ is sure to get you all wound up for what’s on offer. Defending the gates of heaven from a bunch of folks coming from hell is all you are needed to do in TapDefense. Ward off enemies using a small but effective arsenal of six different tower types. Moreover, 42 levels as well as 6 game modes are available for you to dive into, and all that, at the neat price of 0 USD.
3 – Defense Grid The Awakening:
This one may have been launched in 2008, but it still holds a lot to delight any tower defense fan. The story mode involves an alien invasion of a planet that has a latent defense grid and needs to be protected against waves of attackers by positioning an assortment of weaponry. Moreover, extra campaign content is available in the form of DLC. And then there are various challenge modes that can be jumped into for added gameplay opportunities.
4 – Fieldrunners:
Since its initial release for iOS devices, Fieldrunners has been spawned on the PS3, PSP, DSi and Chrome Web Store as well as Android, and this fact stands witness to the popularity of the game among players. This title is so addictive, you don’t even realize that you’re actually spending hours and hours of your time playing it. It offers brilliant towers that present a wide array of distinct abilities and ask for strategic placements in order to deliver effectively. This addition to our list is definitive of its genre and humbly delivers some awesome gameplay.
5 – Sol Survivor:
Described as a turret defense action title, Sol Survivor lets you make use of turrets as a defense mechanism while you attempt to guard your colony against enemies. But the heart of this game lies in its multiplayer options that allow for the whole campaign to be played in co-op and moreover, there are other modes too that provide support for competitive and cooperative battles. Apart from Steam, it is also available for purchase via Xbox Live.
6 – Plants vs. Zombies:
As we mentioned earlier, Plants vs. Zombies does make it into our compilation. It’s the title’s abstract setting that mostly attracts gamers to it. And of course we can’t forget the amazing gameplay that seeps through each and every minute of it. As the owner of a house, you are needed to protect it from being invaded by zombies by placing different varieties of plants in their way. This title has made it to so many platforms that it’s almost impossible to keep track of them. Hours and hours of addictive fun lie in store for you in this offering from PopCap Games.
7 – Anomaly Warzone Earth:
This entrant has been grabbing rave reviews ever since it released on the PC. Combining elements of tower defense with those of RTS, it renders some brilliant visuals that beautifully complement its futuristic story that involves you saving the earth from an ambush of aliens. Allowing you to control groups of vehicles, the title definitely throws in a large number of gameplay indulgences.
8 – The Creeps:
Another free entrant into this list, The Creeps is compatible only with iOS devices and offers a variety of fun-to-play levels, each with their own distinct themes. The adorable characters that are crammed into the game are sure to put a smile on your face each time you play it. And then there’s the Game Center support and online leaderboards that double all the excitement.
Those were our humble submissions to the lineup of the best tower defense games. We hope you enjoy all the nonstop action that is on offer through these entrants.