I’m going to be arrogantly ignorant and do zero research on D.O.T. Defence and just give a possibly ill-informed opinion that this is a great remake/remaster. I know that it’s actually a new IP from Rattleaxe Games, but the point is this has an established presence, like it was around the times of Cannon Fodder and Mega-Lo-Mania. This would have been a game I could play to death, removing what remains of my social interaction with fellow… hoomans.
However, I’ve made the mature decision of covering the just-before-released-into-the-wild version of the game, which came out last week. Why? Because I could see that I could get a little too involved in this game, and thoroughly reviewing it would create problems for me, solely based on time. Is the game that amazing that I’m forfeiting coverage and chickening out? No. This coverage was based on the preview build, though I will be looking at the full version. For me.
There are a handful of reasons that affected that decision. In terms of actively writing about games on this site, that was the ‘professional’ approach, but from a gamer, D.O.T. Defence is hectic on so many levels. The animations, alerts, story and general mechanics are almost relentless, and something I really am on the fence about is playing with a joystick. I don’t care about the reverse psychology that states only true gamers use a gamepad(!?), It was completely unnatural for me.
Coincidentally, I referred to Cannon Fodder and Mega-Lo-Mania, as this game reminds me a little of those. I used to adore these back on the Amiga with a mouse, but have recently rediscovered the console versions and playing with a controller is really hard, but you get there. Bizarrely, D.O.T. Defence does work well with a controller based on the micro management of building and defending your base, then leading the attack. The screen is quite easy to navigate (played exclusively on the Steam Deck, hence the joystick), and it was fun.
Now, you might be the sharpest tool, or just a tool, and surmised that this is a game about war. Bingo! Following the Chroma Wars, you have to battle it out with other armies by taking over territory or defending your own. Unlike some of the older games that perhaps have influenced this, while it’s an RTS, it’s much more dynamic as you’re changing up your approach. Where games like Kingdom Rush will most likely have you keeping the same towers and upgrading, seldom swapping types out only due to progression or human error, in this game, you are continually changing out your defence and relying on an ever-running supply line.
I got burned on Starcraft 2 when playing other players, so I’m quietly confident that I am good at these games in my own company. I’m pleased to say that while D.O.T. Defence offers local play against others, it has a decent campaign mode and versus mode against bots that make it both engaging and entertaining. Skirmishes don’t last particularly long as there’s definitely a console/arcade edge to it that works in its favour. While that pace is definitely a selling point, I can’t help but stress how hectic this is, though I stress once more that it errs more on the positive than the frustrating ‘I’m going to launch my Steam Deck in a minute’ vibes.
It would sound like a cop out by saying play the demo, but there isn’t one. For the price, I’d say go for it if you like RTS/tower defence that has retro roots, but accommodates a modern, attention deficet/not enough time audience that caters more to the console way of thinking. In fact, I believe this is also available for the Nintendo Switch and couldn’t think of a better platform. As I said, I played on the Steam Deck, and irrespective of my views using the sticks for controls, I wouldn’t want to play this on PC as would rather sink my cheeks deep within the sofa and play this for hours on end without the fam having to come up and check if I’m alive as there I am, slumped on the sofa with the Deck playing a fun lil’ RTS.
While this write-up is based on the preview, the full game is available now.
