Pixel Defender

No balance or tutorial, broken traps, and a high price will not entice anyone to give this basic game a try. Gameplay is similar to any other game where you set up traps and prevent enemies from reaching the other side. All you have to do is run around and drop traps. There’s room for only eight types before each stage, so you need to pick the ones you’re comfortable with. Of course, the choice will be poor at the start because you need to unlock traps by winning stages. The UI is basic but functional. Traps have no markings on the floor; you simply press the number on the keyboard that corresponds to the trap type and place it directly beneath your feet. Aside from the stage layout, you are also limited by money. You begin with a nice bundle and gain more with each defeated enemy. The issue is that traps take a long time to reset, so you will take out the first enemies but miss the next several. Each enemy that reaches the other side depletes one of the hearts. Because your character is not a fighter, you can only stand in the corner and observe. There is a sword spell, but it is almost useless because it requires a lot of mana. You will go through five different areas, each having multiple stages. To win a stage, you must survive all of the waves without losing all of your hearts. Depending on your performance, you will receive a few gems, which may be used to purchase new traps or enhance existing ones. Well, that’s what I assume because the game is impossible. It lacks balance. In the first stage, which is already too challenging and does not allow new players to become acquainted with the mechanics, you can only use the two cheapest traps. Despite having enough money, you cannot set up the other two, which are more expensive and likely more beneficial. They are either broken or constrained by an unknown mechanism that is never explained. The game is not accessible. I can not even get past the first stage; I made it to the fourth wave, but my basic traps could not keep up with the more difficult enemies. The issue is that you lose practically all of your hearts on the first wave due to limited traps, which includes spikes and a freezing tile. Sadly, you don't get anything for losing a stage so you can't slowly grind and upgrade.