\u2022 Climate Change:<\/strong> One interesting dynamic Defense Technica<\/em> brings to the table, is changing weather conditions. For example, during certain missions passing cloud cover will reduce the range of surface-to-air turrets. At other times you may have to contend with electrical storms that will lower the effectiveness of other tower types. The weather system could be deeper and more prevalent, as only a few different forms of inclement weather can arise and so far such events haven’t been very frequent. But when the climate does change, it forces you into situations where you may need to adjust tower layout on the fly. According to the in-game documentation, eventually the maps themselves will even begin to transform mid-mission. I haven\u2019t seen this effect in action just yet, but it is one more subtle layer of strategy to prepare for as the game progresses.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Upgrades Galore:<\/strong> I\u2019m not far enough along to fully explore the intricacies of the upgrade system, but in visiting the unlock menu to research a couple early upgrades I certainly took notice of the extensive upgrade trees. Each tower can be upgraded to potentially six different forms. With eight base class types (well, seven plus a simple barricade), that amounts to more than 40 possible towers. Early on I have been able to turn my submachine guns into full machine guns, and my melee stabbers into electro stabbers. After that, the tech trees split and machine guns can turn into Vulcan cannons or Pulsar blasters, and those stabbers can become giant hammer-wielding mechs named after the great God of Thunder, Thor, or Tentacloids armed with four steel tentacles. Each upgrade increases certain attributes (damage, rate of fire, etc) as well as its strengths against different types of enemies. Fortunately, there is an option to re-spec should you need\/want to change paths or readjust which turrets to upgrade for the battle ahead. But before you can even begin to upgrade your tower arsenal, you\u2019ll need to become a master of defensive strategy. Medals are used as the currency to purchase upgrades, and these medals are only earned by performing well in missions. (Completing a map without letting any enemies reach the core unlocks all medals.) This increases the incentive to revisit past maps to improve past rankings and pick up some extra medals so you can buy more upgrades.<\/ol>\n

Parting Thoughts:<\/strong><\/font> There really isn\u2019t much else to say. Defense Technica<\/em> doesn\u2019t do anything that hasn\u2019t been done before, nor does it have any one single distinguishing characteristic to point to. Enemies come marching onto the screen to attack the core. You plop down towers to stop them. Nothing’s changed. But what the game lacks in originality it makes up for with well thought out mechanics, impressive map design, sharp visuals, and fun tactical gameplay. If you aren\u2019t concerned about how innovative games are and you just want a new game to scratch your tower defense itch, Defense Technica<\/em> should suit you just fine.<\/p>\n