And here we are, back again for another rendition of Gaming on a Budget. In this feature, I attempt to bring to light some fantastic gaming experiences that you can get a hold of for $10 or less. Some of the best gaming experiences out there come without the $60 price tag of new releases, and many of the games I would recommend above all others fall in this low price range.This week, I recommend you take a look at Orcs Must Die!, available on Steam for only $9.99.
Orcs Must Die! is perhaps one of the most cathartic gaming experiences I have had in several years. The premise itself is remarkably simple, but endlessly enjoyable. You are a lone War-Mage, tasked with stopping a horde of rampaging orcs from traveling through the Rifts, essentially a portal into the world you are protecting. What you have is yourself, weapons and a series of traps to stop the horde from reaching their destination.
The concept is similar to that of a tower defence game, except the 3rd person perspective puts you right in the thick of the action. The traps and weapons you are provided are a wealth of cartoonish violence. From bladestaffs to crossbows, arrow walls, scorchers and giant swinging maces, the variety and functionality of the traps does not disappoint. This is the type of game where nearly every player will have their own unique strategy, and the game is well balanced enough that there is a variety of different ways to tackle each mission.
So the game is mechanically solid, with a cartoonish aesthetic that fits the overall tone of the game perfectly. Combine this with some truly charming and well delivered voice acting(both from the main character and from the orc horde), the experience is well thought out and surprisingly well polished. Any flaws that can be conjured are minor at best, such as the fairly shallow upgrade system for traps, and none of them are deal-breakers in any way.
Orcs Must Die delivers exactly what it promises, and is easily one of the most fun and replayable(that one is key) games that I have experienced in a long while. It is most definitely worth the investment.
And would you look at that. The sequel, Orcs Must Die! 2 is now on sale from Steam for only $3.74. This is everything a sequel should be. Keep the good from the last game, remove some of the bad elements, and improve others. Also, there is a co-op mode. The only thing better than rampaging through Orcs is doing it with a friend.
