Spooky Land Defenders is a tower defense game that fits the bill exactly for a day like today, where we celebrate horror to the fullest.
There is something special about Halloween and horror in general. Sure, it is a way to deal with our fears via eerie films or monsters, but it is also a rite of passage as a young kid. It is well documented I am a scaredy cat. Goosebumps was the first TV show that quite literally made me cry, mainly because I would rather not become a lizard man. Over the years, though, I remember going to visit my family in San Antonio during Halloween, and as a Mexican I had no idea how they would go all out in the United States. Spooky Land Defenders reminded me of such elaborate haunted houses, as you defend your house from ghouls with werewolves, witches, and zombies.
Stand Your Ground
Like most games of its genre, its extremely easy to pick up and play. Spooky Land Defenders, with its charming art style, starts with almost no fanfare. The first, and only, option in-game is to start a run. The story goes that an interdimensional corporate real estate company wants to take over your haunted house. So you fight back. Talk about a power fantasy. Over the course of 20 runs (if you can make it), you position your plethora of ghoulish monsters straight up from Universal Studios’ lot to attack against the incoming danger. Spooky Land Defenders is a tower defense game that is not overly complex, but it does the job. Especially with its horror theme at this time of year.
As I was saying, I would be scared with the most minimal of things. But I did like putting on costumes over the years. The Power Rangers, a ninja, Darth Maul, and eventually 2008’s The Joker—I’ve always had a penchant for elaborate costumes. That decidedly also helped me overcome my fears. I still remember trying to reach out for some candy—a massive bowl—until what I thought was a Jason Vorhees animatronic started moving with his machete towards me. I promise I didn’t cry too much. Also, the candies were worth it.
Horror Galore
Someone who is not a programmer might dismiss a game like Spooky Land Defenders due to its simplistic approach. But the more you spend time with it, the more complex it reveals itself. For instance, choosing every monster to defend your three-story house comes with their own chilling sound effect. The echoing howl of the werewolf as you put it down will most likely make you rewatch American Werewolf in London (again). Looking at the more mathematical elements, each monster has a base HP, damage, and critical attacks. There are potions to increase poison damage, for example, and traps to slow down the invaders.
All runs have a surprise that makes it intriguing as you progress further. I still remember after run 6 a speechless Texas Chainsaw Massacre-like figure asked me to destroy a decoration in my house in exchange for candy (the game’s currency). I did not have a choice in the matter, naturally. But it did help me buy extra items once the vendor appeared with my candy for extra passive effects to make my monsters stronger. There is no fast forward as I write this, but looking at my monsters obliterate anyone heading my way feels good to see in real time.
Conclusion: Spooky Land Defenders
Years later, in 2012, I found myself wandering alone in the streets of New York City. A zombie approached me, and after telling me that I looked “cosmopolitan,” he convinced me to enter a haunted house called Times Scare. It was the first, and probably last, time I enter such a place on my own. At some point, a man dressed as Jason (we go way back) saw that I was cowering in a corner and decided to pursue me all the way to the end. After facing Chucky, Jigsaw, mummies, skeletons, and so much more, I believe I thanked him for chasing me to the exit. How ironic it is that I am now defending a spooky house of my own.
Spooky Land Defenders is out now for Steam. Happy Halloween!
