Tau Cubis

I have really enjoyed Tau Cubis, it's really a hidden gem of a defense grid like tower defense. It is the closest thing I have played to defense grid. Actually discovered it from the defense grid 2 discussion forums.
Very replayable, fun to try out different tower combinations and tower placements especially after unlocking other modes that allow all towers to be used, scoring/leaderboards are similar to defense grid. There are a lot of tricks to get higher scores in game and is very satisfying and challenging to discover these in each level. There are multiple ways to maze the levels and it feels like solving a puzzle when a good enemy pathing is found, and you feel like a genius when you discover an optimal one. It can take a lot of trial and error, but it is very rewarding to find a combination that works, incrementally improve on it, and end the level with a Perfect 9 (no cores touched) x2 score multiplier. Even after 90hrs of gameplay I am still finding incremental improvements on even the more basic beginning levels.
And there is plenty to replay with 4-8 total modes for most levels (for 111 total challenges), including:
-mission (standard campaign mission)
-wave (30 waves with no break between)
-super mission (tougher enemies)
-super wave (30 tougher enemy waves with no break)
-limited tower type (one tower type + support towers)
-limited number of tower (can only build up to that number of towers)
-time limited (time limit to kill all enemies)
-No upgrades (towers cannot be upgraded)
Each of the 17 levels (+tutorial) presents its own unique challenge. By the time you make it to later levels you discover tactics that can be used on previous missions. Tower types are gradually introduced, 12 in total, ranging from the basic machinegun to more advanced towers that can slow enemies, increase resources gained, improve surrounding towers, cause damage overtime, etc. Tower range and power can be upgraded, and towers can do a lot more damage when used in the right combinations.
There is no rewind button, but that kind of adds to the charm, so timing when and where towers get built and upgraded turns it into a more of a puzzle/memory game to get a top score on the in-game leaderboards. Time can be sped up or slowed down, or paused as needed (no towers can be built when paused). Enemies have individual pathing AI and that can add to the chaos/replayability as slight variations can drastically change how things play out in later waves. Towers locations can be sold and rebuilt on (max 3 times), adding the ability to change tower types for certain enemy types or to change the enemy path of certain waves. Different enemy types can be priority targeted which can help out significantly with "healers" and other enemy types in harder waves. Minimizing resources spent on towers, building/upgrading towers as late as possible, and keeping enemies in waves alive as long as possible without reaching the cores is rewarded, as interest is earned on unspent funds.
No plot, but who needs one! Gameplay is solid. Graphics are simple, but stylish, charming and easy to distinguish. Keyboard and mouse have worked great for me. Could there be more levels/modes/enemy types... sure, but for a solo dev value game it is surprisingly complex and cohesive, well thought out, and fun. It's a game that is timeless and can be replayed for years to come.
Creator is engaged and actively responds to discussion board threads, fixes bugs promptly, and even has scores on the leaderboard. This game and developer should be getting more attention. Highly recommended if you like tower defense.
Definitely worth a buy, and if you buy please leave a review. Word needs to get out on this one. Hope to see you on the Tau Cubis leaderboards!

Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

I have really enjoyed Tau Cubis, it's really a hidden gem of a defense grid like tower defense. It is the closest thing I have played to defense grid. Actually discovered it from the defense grid 2 discussion forums.
Very replayable, fun to try out different tower combinations and tower placements especially after unlocking other modes that allow all towers to be used, scoring/leaderboards are similar to defense grid. There are a lot of tricks to get higher scores in game and is very satisfying and challenging to discover these in each level. There are multiple ways to maze the levels and it feels like solving a puzzle when a good enemy pathing is found, and you feel like a genius when you discover an optimal one. It can take a lot of trial and error, but it is very rewarding to find a combination that works, incrementally improve on it, and end the level with a Perfect 9 (no cores touched) x2 score multiplier. Even after 90hrs of gameplay I am still finding incremental improvements on even the more basic beginning levels.
And there is plenty to replay with 4-8 total modes for most levels (for 111 total challenges), including:
-mission (standard campaign mission)
-wave (30 waves with no break between)
-super mission (tougher enemies)
-super wave (30 tougher enemy waves with no break)
-limited tower type (one tower type + support towers)
-limited number of tower (can only build up to that number of towers)
-time limited (time limit to kill all enemies)
-No upgrades (towers cannot be upgraded)
Each of the 17 levels (+tutorial) presents its own unique challenge. By the time you make it to later levels you discover tactics that can be used on previous missions. Tower types are gradually introduced, 12 in total, ranging from the basic machinegun to more advanced towers that can slow enemies, increase resources gained, improve surrounding towers, cause damage overtime, etc. Tower range and power can be upgraded, and towers can do a lot more damage when used in the right combinations.
There is no rewind button, but that kind of adds to the charm, so timing when and where towers get built and upgraded turns it into a more of a puzzle/memory game to get a top score on the in-game leaderboards. Time can be sped up or slowed down, or paused as needed (no towers can be built when paused). Enemies have individual pathing AI and that can add to the chaos/replayability as slight variations can drastically change how things play out in later waves. Towers locations can be sold and rebuilt on (max 3 times), adding the ability to change tower types for certain enemy types or to change the enemy path of certain waves. Different enemy types can be priority targeted which can help out significantly with "healers" and other enemy types in harder waves. Minimizing resources spent on towers, building/upgrading towers as late as possible, and keeping enemies in waves alive as long as possible without reaching the cores is rewarded, as interest is earned on unspent funds.
No plot, but who needs one! Gameplay is solid. Graphics are simple, but stylish, charming and easy to distinguish. Keyboard and mouse have worked great for me. Could there be more levels/modes/enemy types... sure, but for a solo dev value game it is surprisingly complex and cohesive, well thought out, and fun. It's a game that is timeless and can be replayed for years to come.
Creator is engaged and actively responds to discussion board threads, fixes bugs promptly, and even has scores on the leaderboard. This game and developer should be getting more attention. Highly recommended if you like tower defense.
Definitely worth a buy, and if you buy please leave a review. Word needs to get out on this one. Hope to see you on the Tau Cubis leaderboards!
Steam User 1

Reviewed last year

A great tower defence game. Stylish. Great variety of towers and lots of different challenges available for each level. Plenty of options for mazing controlling the creeps. Tons of fun.

Tau Cubis

Game Discussion

Anonymous

Steam User 2

Steam User 1