
Defend the Rook – Review
January 19, 2025The world of strategy games has always fascinated me, especially when a title tries something new by mixing genres that, at first glance, seem to be at odds with each other. That’s exactly what Defend the Rook does. This game is a brilliant example of how elements of roguelike , tower defense , and turn-based tactical RPG can come together to form a unique experience.
Playing Defend the Rook was like participating in an intricate dance between strategy and adaptation, where every move and every decision mattered. From the first moments on the 9×9 board to the final battle against endless waves of enemies, I was impressed by how well the game balances accessibility and depth. Now, I invite you to join me in this thorough and passionate review, where I dive deep into the nuances of this intriguing title.
Mechanics and Gameplay
Defend the Rook ’s gameplay is undoubtedly the beating heart of the game. The core concept is simple: defend your Rook , who acts as the “king” on the chessboard, but with a twist — he’s a mobile unit that can attack and be used strategically. Additionally, you control three main heroes (a Warrior, a Rogue, and a Sorceress), who each play specific roles in your defensive formation.
Each match is divided into five areas, with five waves of enemies in each. The difficulty increases progressively, and this forced me to constantly adjust my strategies. The game excels at introducing contraptions such as long-range attack turrets, ice traps, and temporary shields, which provide an additional layer of tactical complexity. Strategic placement of these tools is crucial, especially since the enemies do not follow fixed patterns. This unpredictability kept me on my toes throughout each battle.
The upgrade system is another highlight. During each run, you can upgrade your heroes and contraptions with random choices offered after each wave. Some combinations are incredibly powerful — like turning your Rogue into a damage machine with double attacks or giving your Warrior the ability to retaliate attacks. However, the randomness can also be a double-edged sword, as some options are almost useless, and you have to adapt to what the game gives you.
The roguelike mechanics also come into play in the progression between games. Gems earned by defeating bosses can be used to unlock new hero classes and permanent contraptions. This system adds a sense of progression, but I felt that some improvements were less impactful until I reached the final levels.
Graphics
Visually, Defend the Rook is a simple but functional game. The graphics have a cartoonish style that fits well with the game’s fantasy atmosphere. The animations of the heroes and enemies are smooth, and the visual clarity of the 9×9 board is excellent, making it easy to identify units and obstacles. However, the background design of the scenarios is a bit static, which can feel repetitive after a few games.
Despite this, the detailing of the units and towers is well thought out. Each enemy type has a distinct appearance that fits well with the theme of its area—for example, goblins in the mountains and vampires in the graveyard. This adds visual variety that complements the gameplay.
One notable issue is the lack of camera control. The fixed angle can make it difficult to see the entire board, especially in more chaotic situations. I often had to “search” for my heroes hiding behind enemies or contraptions, which could easily be solved by adding camera rotation control.
Sound
Defend the Rook ‘s audio does a good job, but it’s not impressive. The soundtrack is pleasant, with songs that vary between light tones and more tense moments during battles. However, after a few matches, I started to feel that the songs were a bit repetitive. It’s not a soundtrack that will stick in my head, but it doesn’t get in the way of the experience either.
The sound effects, on the other hand, are more striking. The sound of turrets firing, spells being cast, and enemies being defeated adds a layer of immersion. I also liked the specific effects for each enemy, such as the magical noises of the vampires and the grunts of the goblins. Unfortunately, the lack of voice acting for the dialogues is a weak point, although the subtitles with portraits of the characters do the job of telling the story in a satisfactory way.
Fun
Defend the Rook’s fun comes from the constant feeling of challenge and overcoming obstacles. Each match is a new opportunity to experiment with strategies, test skill combinations, and face unpredictable enemies. The game requires quick thinking and careful planning, and it’s incredibly satisfying when your decisions lead to a narrow victory.
However, there is a certain amount of repetitiveness inherent in the game’s structure. The five areas are always made up of five waves, and while the enemies vary, the general format remains the same. This may turn off players who are looking for more variety or a more engaging narrative progression.
Performance and Optimization
On the Nintendo Switch, Defend the Rook runs smoothly in both handheld and TV mode. I didn’t experience any performance drops, and loading times are quick. This is crucial for a game where matches are short and intense, allowing for a fluid experience.
However, the controls leave something to be desired. Using the D-pad to move units works, but can be tedious in more chaotic moments. In addition, the interface for upgrades and contraptions is functional, but could be more intuitive.
Conclusion
Defend the Rook is a game that surprises with its clever combination of genres and strategic depth. It’s a captivating experience, especially for fans of tactical RPGs , tower defense , and roguelikes . While it has its flaws, such as repetitiveness and a lack of polish in some areas, the solid gameplay and the feeling of constant challenge make this title an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a good strategy game.
On the other hand, for players who value engaging storytelling or spectacular visuals, the game may fall short. Overall, Defend the Rook offers excellent value for the price, especially if you enjoy experimenting with different strategies and adapting to the surprises the game throws at you.
Positive Points:
- Innovative combination of genres.
- Strategic and challenging gameplay.
- Variety of enemies and bosses with distinct behaviors.
- High replayability thanks to roguelike mechanics.
- Great performance on Switch.
Negative Points:
- Superficial and poorly developed narrative.
- Repetitiveness after several games.
- Lack of camera control.
- Unintuitive controls.
- Repetitive soundtrack.
Rating:
Graphics: 7.5
Fun: 8.0
Gameplay: 8.5
Sound: 7.0
Performance and Optimization: 8.0
FINAL GRADE: 7.8 / 10.0
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