Terrorhedron
Review
A satisfying twist on Tower Defense
by Matt Porter
reviewed on PC
Thinking Spatially
There are special platforms you can place that add extra connectors. One of them allows you to add three extra turrets in a pyramid formation, while the other lets you add five extra turrets in a cube formation. However, it does not stop there, as you can add another connection platform onto an existing one, granting you even more space for turrets. By the time you reach the later waves of a level, you will have constructed a monstrous mound of metal stretching in all directions, and the shapes that come near disintegrate under the sheer amount of firepower.
You have to make your decisions carefully and really think about where exactly your turret will be available to fire. To help out, there is a fully controllable camera, and you can rotate and zoom around the action to figure out all the angles. A cuboid connection platform might give you better coverage, but a pyramidal one might help you shoot round the corner, or up the wall better. In between rounds you are free to build and destroy as you wish, and if you build something and decide that you do not actually need it, you can refund the cost. However during a wave, destroying a turret only gives you back a fraction of the gold you used to make it. To see exactly where the turret will be able to fire, you can click on it, bringing up an overlay indicating its field of view. When you get it right you sit back and relax as the shapes fall under your genius planning, but when you get it wrong you rue your mistakes and your lost money.
You do not have to play alone either, as online co-op is available for up to eight players. I can only imagine what terrifying concoctions of platform and turret can be created with so many players on one map. There is no server browser though; you need the IP address of the host, so you will need lots of like-minded friends if you want to enjoy the multiplayer to its full potential. At the time of writing, Micro Macro Games is trying to get the game launched via Steam Greenlight, so it would be nice if the multiplayer could get some Steam friend integration from that. For now though, the game is available directly from the developer website. Even if you do not have people to play with Terrorhedron is plenty of fun to play on your own.
A satisfying twist on Tower Defense
The graphics are basic, but they fit in with the overall minimalistic, almost futuristic style. Everything is grey and angular, with the only color coming from the shapes that you are trying to destroy. The 8-bit chiptune music also slots right in and has you nodding along as the waves come and go. There is no story to speak of, but it does not really need one. If you purchase a game like this, you generally know what you are going to get.
What you will get out of Terrorhedron is a Tower Defense game that really builds upon the basic concept. Most games try to be different by adding in different enemy types and turrets. Here though, you have an almost completely different gameplay experience, where you have to throw what you know out the window. Thinking about your moves and planning ahead are always needed. When you add in the third dimension, it takes a next level of foresight, and when you pull it off, it feels great. It has the classic game trait of simple to learn, but fiendishly difficult to master, and is fantastic fun.
8.0
fun score
Pros
Addictive gameplay. A twist on the classic format, and really puzzles your mind.
Cons
Unlocking new turrets and maps takes a while when you first start. Simplistic graphics and music.
