‘McDROID’ Brings Fun Innovation To Tower Defense Genre

Welcome to Indie Spotlight!

With PAX East less than a week away, we’re taking a look at a cool title that I remember getting promo time on the huge LED screen at the convention entrance last year — McDROID!

Created by elefantopia, McDROID is a four-legged robot pal that’s heading to its home planet aboard a snarky shuttle, only to find the planet has been invaded and ruined by slimy aliens! It’s up to you to revive the land and fend off the infection.

At its core, McDROID is a third-person tower defense game. The campaign is set up as a series of levels (over a sort of world map) that gradually add tools, enemies and environmental challenges. You play directly as McDROID to plant resources, build turrets and fight off waves of baddies.

Stages are laid out with predefined spots to plant strawberry seeds (which serve as your currency) and to install various machines to either attack enemy waves or provide area effects. You can seamlessly swap items to and from your back with the click of a button – and even keep one of you. Run around as a mobile laser gun or growth catalyst!

Your shuttle offers silly banter and advice on new tools and strategies as you play. There’s usually a grace period while you get used to the level and build a defense before the first wave arrives. The enemies begin as tiny worms and snails that just attack whatever’s bothering them. After a few levels of learning you’ll start facing larger foes that can spit acid or sport thick armor.

As a big fan of tower defense and wave-based combat, I got pulled in right away by the need to survive. I found the build menus and objective tracking a little confusing at first, but once it all sunk in I was ready to take back my world. The cel shading makes a more colorful planet and gives a sense of playful violence.

McDROID is available on Steam, PS4 and Xbox One.