Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap review - a tempered return for this tower defence titan - Eurogamer
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap Review - A Tempered Return for This Tower Defense Titan
The Orcs Must Die! series has long been a staple of the tower defense genre, known for its challenging gameplay, colorful characters, and wacky traps. After a brief hiatus, the franchise returns with Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap, a game that promises to deliver more of the same addictive action fans have come to love. But does it live up to the hype?
In Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap, players take on the role of a War Mage, tasked with defending a series of fortresses from an invading horde of orcs and other monstrous creatures. The gameplay is straightforward: players must construct traps and recruit allies to hold off waves of enemies, all while navigating through a series of increasingly challenging levels.
One of the standout features of Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is its emphasis on strategy and planning. Players must carefully consider their trap placements, resource management, and enemy behavior in order to succeed. The game’s levels are designed with multiple pathways and entry points, forcing players to think creatively and adapt their strategies on the fly.
The game’s arsenal of traps is also a highlight, with returning favorites like the trusty old chopper and newcomers like the devastating shadow flame. Players can even customize their trap loadouts to suit their playstyle, adding an extra layer of depth to the gameplay.
But while Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap delivers on its core gameplay, it’s hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu. The game’s art style and soundtrack are both reminiscent of previous titles in the series, and the levels, while challenging, lack a certain spark of creativity that we’ve come to expect from modern tower defense games.
Moreover, the game’s narrative is perhaps its weakest aspect. The story is relatively nonexistent, with players being given little context for their battles beyond a brief intro and some scattered dialogue from NPCs. Even the game’s final boss fight feels somewhat anticlimactic, with little buildup or tension leading up to it.
Despite these criticisms, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap remains a solid addition to the tower defense genre. Its challenging gameplay and strategic depth are sure to appeal to fans of the series and newcomers alike. However, those hoping for a truly innovative or narratively engaging experience may find themselves somewhat disappointed.
Ultimately, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a tempered return for this tower defense titan. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel or push the genre forward in any significant way, it delivers on its core promise of challenging, addictive gameplay. Fans of the series will likely enjoy the game’s familiar rhythms and strategic depth, even if they don’t find themselves blown away by anything particularly new or exciting.
Rating: 7/10
Positives:
- Challenging gameplay that rewards strategy and planning
- Customizable trap loadouts add an extra layer of depth
- Familiar, colorful art style and soundtrack
Negatives:
- Lackluster narrative with little context or buildup
- Levels can feel somewhat formulaic and predictable
- Gameplay may feel too similar to previous titles in the series for some players
