Showing posts with label tower defense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tower defense. Show all posts

FTS: Rami Ismail & Mystic Forge Reveal "Australia Did It," a Genre-Bending Action-Strategy Game Coming This Year (PC)

 

RAMI ISMAIL AND MYSTIC FORGE UNVEIL AUSTRALIA DID IT, A GENRE-DEFYING ACTION-STRATEGY GAME

Tower Defense and Reverse Bullet Hell collide in this radical new creation – the Tactical Reverse Bullet Hell – launching on Steam later this year!

UTRECHT, Netherlands - Sept. 3, 2025 - In a time when risk-taking in the video game industry feels increasingly rare, Australia Did It crashes through convention with a new genre all its own: the Tactical Reverse Bullet Hell. Published by boutique label Mystic Forge, this unique new game, coming to Steam later this year, enhances the thoughtful play of Turn-Based Tower Defense with a unique unit-merging system and explosive on-rails Reverse Bullet Hell combat. Carefully strategize to withstand relentless enemy waves, then unleash sensory overload as you become the Bullet Hell, mowing down thousands in dazzling chaos.

Designed as a compact, experimental take on the strategy genre, Australia Did It challenges genre conventions and industry caution in equal measure. Created by acclaimed designer Rami Ismail (Nuclear ThroneLuftrausers) and co-developed by Aesthetician Labs, the game marks a return to small-team innovation and genre-pushing ambition at a time when the industry sorely needs it.

The project began with a challenge: stay small, take risks, and build something that doesn’t need to fit a mold.

“I believe the games industry has been failing at supporting developer innovation and experimentation,” said Ismail.

 “Publishers, investors, and shareholders fund the same few safe bets, later and later in development - forcing even the most creative developers to make safe games with predictable ideas, and force in the latest flavour-of-the-day. That continues until someone does manage to break the mold and creates something truly new - and then the money chases that until that is replaced again. I had very low hopes for this odd prototype I’d been playing with, but when I showed it to Mystic Forge, they didn’t even flinch at the experimental genre mix, wrote the check for a small development cycle, and supported us throughout development. No guardrails, no caveats, just a firm belief that games need new ideas, and that it is worth chasing that.”

Mystic Forge, the new indie publisher created by founding members of Good Shepherd Entertainment, veterans behind titles like Monster TrainFriday the 13thJohn Wick Hex, and the Transport Fever series, was launched to do exactly that - support bold projects by teams they believe in. With Australia Did It, the publisher took a deliberately hands-off approach.

“From the very start, I knew that Mystic Forge had to run with Rami going up to bat and taking a big creative swing with this game. Once we chatted about design intent with the focus on high-tension moments and heard his full pitch with the proposed title name, we were ALL IN,” said Randy Greenback, Portfolio Director at Mystic Forge. “Mystic Forge exists to support ideas that deserve to be seen and played, especially if they don’t follow the rules. Australia Did It is experimental, there isn't anything else like it.”

Set in a drained Atlantic Ocean basin following a mysterious catastrophic event, Australia Did It casts players as hired mercenaries defending a cargo train as it navigates through a monster-ridden drained seabed. Your mission? Escort precious cargo across this hostile terrain by holding off endless waves of enemies at every station. If the shipment arrives intact, we’ll call it a win. Whether you survive or not.

Game Features:

  • Defend Your Station: Before the train departs, strategically deploy and position your limited units to hold off relentless waves of enemies. Think chess, but faster and with potentially explosive mistakes.
  • Evolve Your Units: Merge units on the fly to unlock 1,500+ combinations across 30+ unit types. Create ridiculously powerful new units or niche specialists. Experimentation is key….. just try not to blow yourself up.
  • Survive The Reverse Bullet Hell: Once the train’s moving, chaos begins. Engage in intense real-time battles where you become the Bullet Hell, mowing down thousands in sensory-overload shootouts. Remember, only the cargo’s survival is mandatory.
  • Customize Your Strategies: After each successful station, choose from special Reward Cards that grant substantial perks and boosts. Craft unique builds by mixing cards with your evolving crew for creative new strategies.

Australia Did It will be available on PC via Steam later this year.



Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap: A New Chapter in the Action-Packed Tower Defense Franchise! + OMD History!

The "Orcs Must Die!" series has been a beloved franchise in the tower defense genre since its debut in 2011. Developed by Robot Entertainment, the series combines action-packed gameplay with strategic trap placement, creating a unique and engaging experience for players. The latest installment, "Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap," continues this tradition while introducing new features and improvements that enhance the gameplay.

A little OMD History

The original "Orcs Must Die!" game was released in 2011 and quickly gained popularity for its innovative blend of third-person action and tower defense mechanics. Players took on the role of a War Mage, tasked with defending rifts from waves of orcs and other creatures using a variety of traps and weapons. I logged plenty of hours in the game via the Xbox 360. The game's success led to the release of "Orcs Must Die! 2" in 2012, which introduced cooperative multiplayer and expanded the arsenal of traps and weapons.


In 2020, "Orcs Must Die! 3" was released, bringing the series to a new generation of consoles and adding large-scale "War Scenarios" that allowed players to defend against massive armies of orcs using oversized traps. The game also introduced new characters, traps, and enemies, further enriching the gameplay experience.


Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap: What's New?

"Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap" builds on the foundation laid by its predecessors while introducing several new features that enhance the gameplay and provide fresh challenges for players. Here are some of the key additions:

  1. Roguelite Elements: Unlike previous installments, "Deathtrap" incorporates roguelite mechanics, offering a gauntlet of randomly selected stages with various modifiers. This adds a layer of unpredictability and replayability to the game.

  2. New War Mage: The game introduces a new War Mage, Master Gabriella, who brings Arcane magic back into the series. Her unique abilities and tricks add new strategic options for players.

  3. New Enemies and Maps: Players can expect to face new enemy types, such as the Unstable Orc, which requires more effort to defeat. Additionally, new maps like the Resort Canal offer unique challenges, such as defending two rifts simultaneously.

  4. Enhanced Progression Systems: "Deathtrap" features deeper progression systems, allowing players to unlock and upgrade traps, weapons, and abilities in more meaningful ways. The introduction of "Threads" offers players choices that can significantly impact their gameplay strategy.

  5. Co-op Gameplay: The game supports up to four-player co-op, allowing friends to team up and tackle the orc hordes together. This cooperative element adds a social dimension to the game and makes it even more enjoyable. The co-op action has spring break written all over it!

  6. New Game Modes: In addition to the traditional tower defense gameplay, "Deathtrap" includes new game modes that challenge players in different ways. These modes provide variety and keep the gameplay fresh.


"Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap" is a worthy addition to the "Orcs Must Die!" series, offering new features and improvements that enhance the gameplay experience. I haven't played an OMD game in a long time, but I was able to jump right back in. Not crazy about the reload mechanic, but... it adds to the challenge. With its roguelite elements, new characters, enemies, and maps, as well as deeper progression systems and co-op gameplay, "Deathtrap" promises to keep players engaged and entertained for hours with ease. My first gameplay session run over an hour before I even noticed the time. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer, "Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap" is definitely worth checking out if you're a tower defense fan. If you're not sure, check out the first 30 minutes of gameplay below and... game on!



First 30: Monster Train


monster train



Support us at the links below and... game on!

First 30: Aegis Defenders



aegis defenders



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