Castle Away Preview
Build your castle and defeat the demons in this tower defense game.
Main, Renegade Games, WhisperGames
I played a preview version for Castle Away. Castle Away is a tower defense game with map exploration. Regular updates are being added to the demo.
Control a moving fortress and fight demon enemies along the way. After defeating an enemy, player is given a choice between 2 towers or materials. Player needs to balance offensive and defensive structures to survive and scale against bosses.
As you defeat bosses, additional rows are added for new structures, which allows the player to plan how to reinforce structures and implement new ones. Strategy involves placement and using your materials effectively. Certain structures receive bonuses when placed next to certain towers. Materials are one-time use resources that can strengthen damage, bulwark (armor), cool down, or de-buffs like slow. My first winning run involved high bulwark build with slow and burn.
Hand drawn art is unique and allows this game to shine when compared to other games. Each enemy and structure have intricate details including health bars and cool down bars, maximizing the full potential of a tower defense game with quick combat.
Structures, Renegade Games, WhisperGames
In terms of the map, player can explore gradually by killing enemies which unlocks access to randomized shops or encounters. Many rogue-lite games use node based map similar to Slay the Spire, however, Castle Away has its own take and player is encouraged to try different encounters. After the run ends, player unlocks new structures for future runs so there is no grind via leveling or currency. Runs are quick lasting about 30-45 minutes and the game has many towers/structures to unlock ensuring high replay value.
Map, Renegade Games, WhisperGames
I have some suggestions for the development team. In the intro, have the fishy companion give tips for winning or building structures. In tutorial, describe different kind of towers you can purchase or plunder after battles. This will make the beginner experience smoother. Also, explain which materials can be bought or claimed and what they are used for. Add 1.25 speed for boss battles. Seeing each arrow and fight animation takes longer than needed. Fights take only about 30 seconds, but this would be a nice option.
Show a golden highlight or special animation for towers in the shop that player already has equipped on their castle. This will make it easier for player to buy upgrades. Add menu with description of keywords like poison and burn to explain the effects on your tower and if they can be negated in battles.
Castle Away has great potential as a tower defense game with rogue-lite elements. There is plenty of replay value, the hand drawn art is eye-catching, and it was was made using Godot engine. I look forward to future updates to the demo and already added the game to my Steam wish list.
Castle Away
Interesting tower defense game with hand drawn art. Defeat demons in this indie game.