Many gaming genres have earned a reputation for the kind of investment it asks of a player. Having become popularized by mobile games and titles with long periods where players can be uninvolved with the action, the majority of tower defense games have followed that trend. Recently announced was the upcoming Hordeguard: Winds of the North, developed by Black Deer Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment, which seems to reject the pattern that many tower defense games follow by blending elements of other genres like RPG and RTS games.
The trailer immediately sets the tone for the new mechanics that Hordeguard: Winds of the North will introduce by showing both a main character and specific resource collection. According to the Steam store page, the resource management aspect is inspired by RTS games, which often require players to strategize which specific resources they will need to create the right tools for the upcoming threat. The game also receives inspiration from RPG games by allowing players to directly enter the battle as a Viking commander, allowing weaker points in the defense to be reinforced in real time.
Hordeguard: Winds of the North encourages a playstyle that alternates between two modes. In the first, players will construct defenses and gather resources to prepare for attacks while also expanding their Viking village. In the second, players will face waves of increasing size and complexity. To help with this phase, the trailer also shows off special upgrade progression that can allow for divine abilities like lightning or general boosts like increased movement speed for troops. The trailer ends by showing dangerous enemies of the later waves like giants and dragons hanging ominously over the village.
For those who want more out of tower defense games, Hordeguard: Winds of the North, promises to meld a long list of mechanics that require careful management and execution. The game is coming to PC with the release date to be announced.