Orcs Must Die! Unchained (2017)

Orcs Must Die! Unchained offers a robust evolution of the beloved action tower defense formula, blending strategic trap placement with intense third-person combat. This iteration introduces significant content updates, including the swift melee hero Yi-Lin, the Jade Sentinel, who devastates foes with twin swords and boasts life-saving combos. Players will also contend with the formidable Wu Xing Dynasty, masters of elemental magic, who bring new soldier types, the imposing Terracotta Giant, and swift Red Pandas that buff allies. The game expands its battlegrounds with three new maps: the tranquil Water Garden, the strategically vital Castle Gates, and the bustling Midnight Market, offering fresh challenges for Survival mode across various difficulty tiers. Furthermore, features like Weekly Challenge Matchmaking and a Fast Restart option enhance the player experience and community engagement. Continuing its commitment to fresh content and player feedback, Orcs Must Die! Unchained has seen the introduction of Deadeye, an infamous half-elf, half-orc outlaw wielding dual crossbows and explosive arrows, whose power grows with each kill. The game also rolled out Community Challenges, paving the way for future in-game events, and added a much-requested Pause feature for solo and non-matchmade games. New maps like Stables of Eventide have joined Sabotage mode, alongside consumables that alter minion behavior. Chaos Trials also received new modifiers, adding further strategic depth. As a testament to Robot Entertainment's iterative design philosophy, Orcs Must Die! Unchained embodies the studio's knack for refining successful gameplay loops while consistently delivering new experiences, solidifying its place as a standout title in their catalog.