Two years ago, I had the chance to play Bish Bash Bots, a cooperative tower defense game where, in addition to building various turrets to destroy enemies, you could use different skills to push and bash them. Tempest Tower takes this concept and expands on it in a more unique way: it combines classic base-building with player-driven combat, forcing you to traverse the map and use it strategically to your advantage.
Tempest Tower features a building phase followed by an action phase
During the Build Phase, you plan and construct your defenses. You can place turrets, traps, and other contraptions to fend off the incoming Creepers. The game offers a wide variety of tools, ranging from lethal turrets to trampolines that let you bounce across the map. You can even jump on enemies’ heads, though beware, your HP bar depletes with each encounter, and if it reaches zero, you’re sent back to your base. This phase is all about strategy and creativity, as you experiment with different setups to create the most effective defenses.
Once the Creepers attack, the game shifts to the Action Phase. Here, you take direct control of your character, fighting enemies, activating traps, and repairing defenses. However, my biggest gripe is how tedious this phase can become, especially since your defense towers deal almost no damage on their own. They require electricity to function, which is generated by wind turbines that only activate when there’s wind. While you can use a cleaning brush to push enemies and create wind, the game limits where you can place these defenses, adding an extra layer of challenge.
Another key mechanic is the collection of souls from large plants stationed near your defenses. These plants are scattered randomly across the map, so it’s always a good idea to build your towers close to them since they collect the souls of enemies. Once you’ve gathered enough souls, you can consume them to earn points for constructing more defenses and advancing further. The map is also constantly evolving and expanding, forcing you to keep moving rather than staying in one spot.
Exploitation of the environment and problems with enemies
You can also leverage hazardous environmental elements, such as explosive barrels or traps, to your advantage. For instance, the demo effectively demonstrates how to use bombs scattered across the map to take out multiple enemies at once. Additionally, teleporters are strategically placed to help you navigate the map more easily.
However, my biggest issue lies with the enemies. As mentioned earlier, they’re overly tanky and take far too long to defeat. Some enemies even block your turrets by spraying goo. There are also goo walls that obstruct your path, forcing you to clear them to move more freely. Even when stomping on them like in Super Mario, it still takes an excessive amount of time to eliminate them, which can feel frustrating and slow-paced.
Here’s why the game is designed this way: it focuses on short-term sessions rather than long ones. Your main tower needs to be powered up using enemy souls, and once it’s charged, you must activate it to destroy the remaining enemies. This mechanic discourages long sessions, as enemies are numerous and tanky, which, personally, can ruin the fun. However, I understand the intent behind this design, it forces you to experiment and adapt rather than sticking to a single strategy.
The colorful world of Tempest Tower promises an interesting experience
Visually, Tempest Tower is colorful and vibrant, with a cartoonish art style that fits its quirky tone. The world of Trip Space is full of personality, with unique flora and creative contraptions that make each level visually interesting. The Creepers are well-designed, with a variety of types that keep the enemies feeling fresh. The animations are smooth, and the action is easy to follow, even during chaotic battles.
I’m looking forward to seeing what this game has to offer. So far, everything seems promising, it’s just a matter of whether the full version can deliver a polished and satisfying experience. Considering Half Past Yellow, the developer behind this game, has had its ups and downs but is now bringing us another title, I remain optimistic about this project.
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