Aegis Defenders

This is a beautiful game, but I hate the last part that needs to be defended and I recommend this game to everyone. It's great in every way and you can use 2 characters in the game.

A 2d platformer with tower defence mechanics? yes please!
The only concern I have is that if you jump and even just hint at holding 'up', it will interrupt the jump and you will fall straight down, like a rock. I have died many times because I tried jumping to a ledge I could grab on to, and in preparation to climb up, I pressed diagonally. only to stop mid-jump, some feet from the ledge and fall to my death.
Other than that, controls work really well, and are fully rebindable.
game mechanics wise, It's great! the gameplay loop of caravan for upgrades, explore new ruins, defend the objective from a horde of monsters, feels good and none of the parts really overstays their welcome.
My only concern is that while you can go back to earlier missions, they do not give you the resources needed to upgrade your abilities. only your equipment (which is mainly just your weapon).
I love the art-style, the music, the story, and the gameplay!
Watch full review:

I have just started this game, got it for free from the humble store. Honestly it is super fun, and the music is so calming. With a lot of games they try and build aesthetic and forget about the gameplay but this was really fun and the aesthetic is wonderful. Thoroughly recommend picking this up during a sale, it is a lot of fun with a controller and there seems to be a lot of content, haven't finished it yet!

Game Review from 30 Minutes of Play
Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.
ELEVATOR PITCH: 2D Platformer Crossed with Tower Defense
LIKED: Interesting story I'd probably run through just for the cutscenes. I can see myself getting cozy with the game given more time.
DISLIKED: Control learning curve between platforming and tower defense maybe difficult for some. Personal preference, the JPN dialogue and vibe is not for me anymore. When I hear the music, I think Final Fantasy IV rather than this game. When I get to the tower defense section, I think of Orcs Must Die, Dungeon Defenders, or Dungeon of the Endless.
===== Mood After 30mins =====
☐ Addicted
☑ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated
===== Will I Revisit =====
☐ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☑ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games
===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass
Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Very nice to play with a 7yo. The mixture of platformer and tower defense is lots of fun

Aegis Defenders is very unique, it is platformer + TD with some basic RPG mechanics. Most of the levels, there are two phases: 1) straightforward exploring in pretty levels, sometimes with easy puzzles; 2) Final level area with TD. There are 3 exceptions, 2 escorting levels and 1 moving platform. At the beginning, we control 2 heroes (with progression, hero roster increase to 4), which have different kind of weapons. Combat is not complicated, but its game-changing. There are 2-3 level, where if you don't pay attention what you are doing, difficulty may change from child's play to pretty impossible. Some people complain about it, but I find it rewarding. Some people also state that the game is boring and repetitive, I mean it's 50% TD, killing enemies and defending base is a core mechanic of TD genre. With beautiful background and nice level design it's not that boring.
So, if you don't like Platformer or TD, just stay away. Otherwise you will enjoy it. Btw Thanks humble bundle for giving free copy of the game.

I really like this one. It has a nice 16-bit feel that feels charming rather than dated. Maybe because the retro feel isn't an after thought or cost saving measure, rather it seems like it was baked into the character and game design from the beginning. The music is nice and the world feels alive.
Game play wise, I like both the Tower defense and exploration elements of the game. I notice that some of the Neg. reviews are from people with very little play time complaining about the tedious nature of the TD elements, so keep in mind that this is mitigated by the addition of a third character after the first few levels. Your prep time between waves is very limited which I actually like, but it is made unnecessarily difficult at times by the character switching controls in 1-player mode.
Still, if you like tower defense and puzzle platformers, this one is a no-brainer