Deathtrap

Got this game for free, and what a nice surprise!
It is a mix of Diablo and Tower Defense, with multiplayer support.
It is worth buying on sale if you are a fan of tower defense games.
I have not played all the way to the end, but with 3 hours of experience, it has left a good impression.

Deathtrap, developed and published by NeocoreGames, is a unique hybrid that merges the strategic elements of tower defense with the visceral thrill of an action role-playing game. It takes place in the grim and fantastical world of the Van Helsing series, though it functions as a standalone experience. The premise is simple yet engaging: players must defend ancient strongholds from invading monsters emerging from the otherworldly dimension known as the Ink. These fortresses, once used to keep unspeakable horrors at bay, have fallen into disrepair, and it becomes your duty to restore their defenses and repel wave after wave of increasingly terrifying creatures. Beneath its gothic veneer lies an intricate system that rewards planning, adaptability, and the satisfying chaos of combat.
The gameplay loop in Deathtrap revolves around a mixture of preparation and action. Before each invasion, you study the map, identify the entry points, and strategically place traps such as spike fields, flame turrets, freezing devices, and summoning gates along the paths of the enemies. When the battle begins, the game transitions from calm calculation to frantic execution, as you take direct control of your chosen hero—be it a heavily armed Mercenary, a ranged Marksman, or a spellcasting Sorceress—and fight alongside your constructed defenses. This combination of tactical foresight and hands-on combat creates a rhythm that’s both cerebral and thrilling. Success depends not just on clever trap placement but also on how well you manage to fight off foes who slip through your defenses.
The trap system is the core of Deathtrap’s identity, and it’s here that NeocoreGames shows the most creativity. Each trap is not only a tool of destruction but also part of a larger network of synergistic mechanics. Some traps slow enemies, others poison or ignite them, and many have upgrade paths that allow you to enhance their efficiency or imbue them with new effects. Planning an effective defense often requires experimenting with combinations—using a frost trap to freeze a group of enemies in place before unleashing a volley of spikes or summoning magical entities to distract tougher foes. Between missions, players can spend experience points and resources to enhance both their traps and their hero’s abilities, creating an evolving sense of progression that mirrors traditional RPG advancement.
Visually, the game captures a rich gothic atmosphere that suits its setting perfectly. Each map is crafted with dark fantasy aesthetics—crumbling stone structures, ominous skies, flickering torches, and rivers of shadow that feel alive with menace. The enemy designs are grotesque and varied, ranging from hordes of undead soldiers to demonic beasts and monstrous abominations that feel at home in a world teetering on the edge of damnation. The visual presentation is complemented by a moody orchestral soundtrack that adds weight to every battle, while the sound design amplifies the tension with metallic clanks, explosive detonations, and the haunting wails of slain creatures. Though not a technical marvel, the art direction ensures the experience feels distinct and immersive.
Deathtrap’s progression system adds significant replay value. As you complete levels, you unlock new traps, gear, and skill points, allowing for different playstyles and strategies. Each hero has a unique set of skills, so replaying missions with a different class changes the way you approach defense and combat. The campaign itself offers a solid length with numerous stages, and finishing it unlocks harder difficulty settings, challenge scenarios, and an endless survival mode designed for veteran players. These post-game modes are well-integrated, offering escalating difficulty and new rewards that keep the experience fresh long after the credits roll. There’s also a cooperative mode that allows friends to defend fortresses together, as well as a competitive versus mode where one player controls the hero and another directs enemy forces, although these features depend on finding active players online.
However, Deathtrap is not without its flaws. The trap placement mechanic, while deep, is limited to predetermined foundation points, which restricts freedom and occasionally makes certain maps feel overly scripted. Enemy variety, though impressive at first, starts to feel repetitive after extended play, especially when the later waves rely on sheer numbers rather than tactical challenge. The balance between hero combat and trap reliance can also be uneven—some builds allow you to overpower enemies through direct combat alone, which undermines the strategic core. Despite these issues, the moment-to-moment gameplay remains compelling, and the thrill of barely surviving a wave with your fortress still standing is immensely satisfying.
As a hybrid, Deathtrap manages to strike a strong balance between its genres. Fans of tower defense will appreciate its intricate planning phases, while action-RPG enthusiasts will enjoy the loot, skill trees, and momentary heroics. Its progression systems, customization options, and steady flow of unlocks give it a rewarding sense of depth, even if the pacing can drag in later stages. What truly stands out, though, is the atmosphere—a gothic, blood-soaked world where every victory feels earned and every defeat feels costly. It’s a rare blend of strategy and action that succeeds through its ambition and execution.
In the end, Deathtrap offers an engaging experience that caters to both strategists and adrenaline seekers. It might not have the complexity of pure tower defense classics or the narrative richness of full-fledged RPGs, but it combines both with a sense of identity and craftsmanship that few hybrids achieve. With its haunting tone, clever systems, and satisfying combat, Deathtrap delivers a challenging and rewarding adventure that feels both brutal and beautiful. For players who enjoy building elaborate defenses one moment and diving into fierce combat the next, it remains a standout gem in NeocoreGames’ gothic universe.
Rating: 8/10

A little dated on the matchmaking and the art style, but this game is golden if you like Tower Defence games!
10/10 Towers

Side note its a little grindy till you get to a higher level
I dont suggest you play full price tho & Enjoy

Pretty much bug free and more Van Helsing basically, so this is a fun quick break if you liked the TD portions of the VH series. Pretty short campaign and then you start repeating the same maps, and while I like the TD portion I found the action arcade side a little less fun. Mainly as I want to run and gun but can fire while moving so need to run then gun.

Actually had this for a few years, obviously didn't like it to much on my first play through, or seen something else shiny, as only played it for 10 hours, thought I would give it another go with my son co-op. Pretty fun experience to be honest, he is good at working out what things mean and how they work, its not that obvious to me, including 4k bug with teleporters. Solid fun grinding away and smashing monsters, I dare say the game is quite cheap now...

It's a decent TD game to get on Steam but lacks much identity. It's Dark Fantasy sure but feels like it's trying to be Path of Exile with TD elements. The itemization is actually really cool, the traps are fairly unique. It's an easy recommendation for TD lovers.

Pros: borderless windowed mode, soundtrack fits the theme, advanced graphical settings available, decent voice acting, map editor available, tutorial prompts available, on the top right corner you can 2x or ½ the game speed, co-op & versus mode, decent tower defense mechanics

Cons: you have to exit and re-launch the game for custom settings to take effect, “no limit” on the fps is optional but im only getting 30fps tops (poorly optimized), the user interface is clunky, you can’t move around the overworld map, progression feels unorganized & linear at the same time, there is only one ring slot, you can’t zoom in or out (except the mini map), you can only swap runes in the store screen (not during a level), when a rock golem dies it glitches the entire screen for a second, you can only place certain traps in pre-determined spots, it cost gold to respect stat points

Overall, a decent tower defense + hero rpg game. I played approximately 5 hours at the writing of this review, & I have no interest in completing the game.
Deathtrap is a hit or miss.