Every so often someone comes up with a game that is so new and innovative that everyone starts copying it and as a result a whole new genre of games is spawned. That is what has happened with tower defense games. Not so long ago, there was no such thing as a tower defense game. Then in 2007, David Scott released Flash Element Tower Defense. The game proved a hit and in almost no time other developers were mimicking the game play that Scott had pioneered.
Now, just three years after Flash Element TD's launch, there are literally hundreds of tower defense games available. Here, we present you with a list of what we consider to be the Top 30 Online Tower Defense Games. All the games can be played in your browser for free. Enjoy!
1GEMCRAFT
Gemcraft offers one of the most interesting - and certainly the most successful - twists on the tower defense genre. In this game, you play a wizard defending the land against evil critters. Just like in most TD games, you use towers to kill the monsters. But in Gemcraft, unlike in many TD games, the towers don't initially come with any special abilities or powers.
They are simply towers. You imbue them with powers by installing magic gems in them. Red gems, for example, might make a tower shoot fireballs at an enemy, green ones might poison your enemies. That on its own might not be that exciting but the developer - Game in a Bottle - has given you the ability to combine gems to create super powerful towers that have multiple powers.
This mechanic gives the game a strategic depth that many tower defense games lack. Add to that a captivating story line and long campaign mode and you begin to understand whyGemcraft is one of the most highly-rated flash games of all time. The original version of the game can be played here. A sequel can be played here.
2PROTECTOR
Protector is an attempt to combine tower defense and rpg game play. If the number of versions of the game are any measure - four at the last count - it has certainly been a successful attempt. In Protector, you don't use towers to fight off the enemies. Instead you use wizards, archers, fighters and other characters to ward off the monsters. Each character can be leveled up to unleash frightful new powers against the poor hordes of creatures.
3BUBBLE TANKS TOWER DEFENSE
If you like your tower defense games to offer you plenty of depth and replayability, then you will probably love Bubble Tanks TD. The game offers no less than 52 different modes, 11 unique paths for updating your towers and seven enemy types. Perhaps the game's most interesting feature, however, is the ability to merge towers into huge sprawling mega structures combining the powers of 16 standard towers. You can play Bubble Tanks TD here.
4DESKTOP TD
This might not have been the first tower defense game ever made but it is certainly the one that brought the genre to the attention of the masses. It blew my mind away when I first played it. Even though the game is a few years old now, it has lost none of its original charm and addictiveness. If you are looking for classic tower defense action, then you won't go wrong with this game. Desktop TD can be played here.
5ONSLAUGHT
With its crude graphics and basic-looking maps, you could be forgiven for giving this tower defense game a miss. But if you did, you would be missing out on one of the deepest tower defense games around. Onslaught is simply brilliant. If offers you an unparalleled range of towers (or turrets, in this case) and also the ability to mix them together to create uniquely powerful defense weapons. Onslaught can be played here.
6BLOONS TD4
Personally, I would not have included this game quite so high up in the list. Its cute graphics and pretty basic game play are not to my taste. But I know that there are many people who love this game and would be furious if I did not place it near the top of the list. And I bow to their superior gaming knowledge. Play Bloons TD4 here.
7FLASH CIRCLE TD
Flash Element TD was one of the first tower defense games on the scene and its slick graphics and addictive game play quickly garnered a loyal following. This game is the sequel toFlash Element TD and it is everything one wants from a sequel: better graphics, deeper game play and more options. Play Flash Circle TD here.
8DEFEND YOUR HONOR
Tower defense games are a serious matter. Your life depends on keeping the monsters at bay. There is simply no time for humour. The developers of Defend your Honor would disagree, for they have created a tower defense game with a light-hearted storyline and an odd sense of humour.
In the game, you play an elf on a mission to recover a golden walrus from a dungeon. As you progress through the levels, you recruit friends (who in essence act the same as towers) to aid you. This is a cute and fun game perfect for those who don't take their tower defense gaming too seriously. Play Defend your Honor here.
9VR DEFENDER Y3K
Set in the year 3000, VR Defender Y3K puts you in charge of a poor network engineer desperately trying to fend off wave after wave of malicious computer viruses. You need to defend your network firewall using a series of virtual towers. Classic tower defense game play in a futuristic setting. You can play VR Defender Y3K here.
10LORD OF WAR 2
This is a very good looking tower defense game with a campaign-style series of levels. The sprites for the creeps are among the best you can find in a tower defense game, and the game play itself is highly addictive. Definitely deserves its top 10 position. Play Lord of War 2 here.
