Developed and published by Robot Entertainment, Orcs Must Die! 3 was originally released last summer exclusively to Google Stadia. I can’t say if that was a good decision on their part, but luckily, this fun tower defense game just released on all other platforms (excluding the Nintendo Switch… for now). The basic premise of the game is that orcs are bad and you need to stop them by any means necessary from going from point A to point B. You have the option of playing two different characters; Kelsey and Egan, both of whom have different weapons/abilities.
Tower defense games have a tendency to be very painfully monotonous or really inventive and fun. I’m happy to report that I had a great time with this one. Adding a variety of upgrades and sets of traps with an easily understandable currency system that doesn’t give off too “grindy” of a feel when playing. I felt making purchases and upgrading my weapons were a quick enough, and fair enough evolution through the campaigns. The simplicity in its menus and general design, while make the game seem a bit on the cheaper end, it also helps the game, not feel like it’s over complicating itself.
The idea of each level is there will be several waves of orcs that will be bursting through a door (sometimes multiple doors) and before they do you must set up your traps through the entire map to help you kill as many orcs before they end up at their final destination. The traps you get to help you are very fun and inventive. I personally liked to stick to the classics, such as spikes coming through the floor, or arrows shooting through the walls. You have a certain amount of currency to spend on these traps before each wave, so smart placement of these traps is crucial. What’s also nice is you gain more currency as you kill more orcs during each wave, so in between waves you can afford to add more and more traps wherever necessary.
I would say the biggest criticisms I have of with the game lie in its story and characters. The main campaign story was very one note, and while I did like the wholesome art style these developers created, I was very taken out of it when these characters don’t really behave in a way I expected them to in my own head. This is a fantasy themed video game set in a very majestic fantasy setting, so when I play as Egon, and when he does a dance move in a contemporary manor, I can’t help but get frustrated at why is he dancing like a middle school kid from 2021? The game tries a little too hard to be “hip with the kids” and not enough on believing in itself to be something more appropriate within the world they created.
Luckily, that is a smaller nitpick in the grand scheme of things, because in video games, gameplay is king and for Orcs Must Die! 3 I found myself very addicted. There is also multiplayer, and I can’t help but think of the fun orc killing I will be having when I convince some friends to play along with me. All in all, this is a very solid game and for fans of tower defense style video games, I say Orcs Must Die! 3 is a must try. With a $30 price tag, it’s difficult for me to knock it too much on its faults, because at the end of the day, I caught myself having a blast much more than when I wasn’t.
8/10
Check Out the Orcs Must Die! 3 Launch Trailer:
For more information, visit http://www.orcsmustdie.com/
Related: ORCS MUST DIE! 3 Heading to PS4, Xbox One, and Steam July 23
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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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