Fieldrunners - new tower defense game?

[gospel9]

http://appshopper.com/games/fieldrunners

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2915438511_a44a3831e4.jpg

Just saw this one.
Finally I think for the first time ever a tower defense game with good graphics (not sure, only one screenshot).





For 4.99$ ... I'll be waiting for some reviews first.


EDIT: it's out on iTunes now.

[mattjb]

It's pretty nice, great graphics, fun gameplay, but sorely in need of sound and music (which the developer said will come in an upcoming update.) I don't think I'll be spending as much time with Mote-M anymore.

I should have a review up tomorrow on my site. Fieldrunners is a nice surprise, and quite polished.

[Amt]

If you're a fan of Tower Defense games, get this. Now. It's pretty awesome. The graphics are even better.

[WilliamG]

Just took the plunge and bought it. EXCELLENT version of the game. Super smooth framerate (looks to be at least 40fps, and definitely above 30). Graphics are gorgeous, with shadows of all the turrets on the ground, as well as light "reflections" on the guns themselves from the bursts of fire.

It's really, really needing sound. REALLY. REALLY. But aside from that the interface is stellar, and well worth the $5. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed. That said, that it was released without sound is bizarre!

[gospel9]

Thanks for the headsup and reviews~

Yes I do like this kind of game, and have always wanted to have something polished. This is a big surprise... however, the lack of sound and music is a no go for me at $5. This kind of game really do need the sound effects - they are often highly amusing.

I have also heard that it only has one map and that's the end of it.


I think I'll hold off for the next update for now... Will definitely keep checking on this one.

[mattjb]

I have also heard that it only has one map and that's the end of it.


I think I'll hold off for the next update for now... Will definitely keep checking on this one.

There is the one map, but there are also 3 difficulty modes. I just beat the Easy mode, got all the way to wave 100, and will now try my hand at Medium.

[user21]

There is a video of game play up on this site.

Looks fun.

http://fingergaming.com/2008/10/fieldrunners-tower-defense-in-app-store/

[gospel9]

I ended up buying it just now.
Less things to wait for ... knowing that I will eventually buy it anyway...why not now?


So I did :)


I hope the sound updates arrive soon enough.
So far it's pretty good. Very smooth for a game like this.

[arn]

brief review, gameplay video
http://toucharcade.com/2008/10/06/fieldrunners-delivers-a-very-polished-tower-defense-game/

- very polished
- fun
- each session can last a while

- no sound, no music
- only one field, so long term play might not be great

but dev promises more maps, weapons, and sound in future updates

arn

[efp1]

bought it and downloading now :D

I love this type of game. Thanks for the post!

[tweeg]

Anyone got tactics or stragies on this game ? I found out i kinda suck at it :mad:

[Goroke]

The unit looks awfully familiar to Soldier and Heavy from TF2...Maybe the color scheme?

Thinking about buying, but gonna wait till there's a good update and/or sale~

[awesomator]

Anyone got tactics or stragies on this game ? I found out i kinda suck at it :mad:

Well im pretty good at tower defence games and my stratagy in this is to go diagonal in a maze. Also the rockets are pretty good against the fat guys and air.

[gospel9]

Anyone got tactics or stragies on this game ? I found out i kinda suck at it :mad:

Go look at their official forum for the game. I think it is at fieldrunners.com
Personally I was not able to pass level 90 in normal.

It is a great game and I say if are planning to get it anyway mind as well get it now.
The updates are coming for sure... And it's unlikely for a price drop especially with a biG update that includes the sound and music, as well as new levels.

Totally recommend it..

[amemoryoncelost]

loving this game and cannot wait for some updates. Music, whatever, but maybe some new levels, no baddies, no guns possibly, oooohhhh!

[SkillsToShow]

Just got this game and I am totally addicted to it :p It would be a lot more fun with sound effects, more weapons and more maps.

5/5

[CommanderData]

GAHH! Am I the only one who likes it without sound or music??? Please, please, please if music/sound is implemented let us have a way to turn it off and keep it off by default (even during startup of the app). One of the best things about this is that it does not make a peep as you fire it up and it remembers where you left off. This is one of the few games I can work on while watching TV with the wife on the couch without disturbing her! :D

I would always like more levels, enemies, and weapons! Just don't force us to have sound...

[nippyjun]

GAHH! Am I the only one who likes it without sound or music??? Please, please, please if music/sound is implemented let us have a way to turn it off and keep it off by default (even during startup of the app). One of the best things about this is that it does not make a peep as you fire it up and it remembers where you left off. This is one of the few games I can work on while watching TV with the wife on the couch without disturbing her! :D

I would always like more levels, enemies, and weapons! Just don't force us to have sound...


I agree, an option for sound on/off would be needed.

Otherwise great game. looking forward to the updates.

One cool idea i have is that the enemy could deploy it's own towers that attack your towers.

[tongteh]

YAY!! i just beat Medium!! :) i will post some pictures after uni today.. :P

[synagence]

The developers have already stated that new maps, guns and sounds are enroute...plus other surprises

I think this will be actively developed for a while so it should be a fun game for quite some time.

Its a classic example of top notch iphone development....they deserve every success

[spyker3292]

It's so much fun...... :D

[tongteh]

HEHEHE>< history!!

[EvanLugh]

brief review, gameplay video
http://toucharcade.com/2008/10/06/fieldrunners-delivers-a-very-polished-tower-defense-game/

- very polished
- fun
- each session can last a while

- no sound, no music
- only one field, so long term play might not be great

but dev promises more maps, weapons, and sound in future updates

arn

You can have music :)

[ins0mniaque]

I got to Level 99 on Hard!

[gospel9]

I got to Level 99 on Hard!

wow. Probably the best score ever... Tips please :)

[ins0mniaque]

wow. Probably the best score ever... Tips please :)

Thx. But it's not that hard.

Basically, you try to draw a "blade". I'll try to ascii draw it...

E = Entrance (of forest or castle, depending on side)
C = Basic cannon (Level 1)
X = Special basic cannon (Level 1)
G = Glue cannon (Level 3)
L = Lightning spire (Level 1)
F = Forest
W = Castle wall

You try to start with this in four steps :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG XE
EC L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W

1. Middle line of cannons, without the glue cannons.
2. Make 1 or 2 lightning spires (starting from 'X').
3. Fill your line with glue cannons.
4. Gradually build your line of lightning spires.


Then you gradually replace the cannons in your
middle part with lightning spires.


Then you build up the upper part of the "blade".
If you're good enough (you should be now) it
should look like this (there's not enough pieces
to finish the upper part) :

F LLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F L W
E LGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG XE
EL L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W



Then, finally, the utimate tip : The special basic cannon.
It's a normal basic cannon, but you constantly erase and recreate it.

From this position :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG XE
EC L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W


To this position :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG E
EC LXE
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W


To force them back around your wall of lightning over
and over again for those resistant soldiers/machines.


Enjoy! I beat Easy with this losing only 2 life at Wave 99, that infernal tightly packed line of copters, and losing at Wave 99 in Hard.

[tweeg]

Enjoy! I beat Easy with this losing only 2 life at Wave 99, that infernal tightly packed line of copters, and losing at Wave 99 in Hard.

When i try ur tactic, loads of enemies just slip through while building the first line of canons. What am i doing wrong ?

[ins0mniaque]

Finally won the game on Hard... using a different but similar technique. I used long range cannons for the top and bottom row, and prioritized making the top row over upgrading the middle one.

Even managed to screenshot as the last übertank??? exploded.

[ins0mniaque]

When i try ur tactic, loads of enemies just slip through while building the first line of canons. What am i doing wrong ?

See new screenshot for information, and make sure to only make the gattling (basic) cannons first until you reach the other side of the screen.

[tongteh]

Finally won the game on Hard... using a different but similar technique. I used long range cannons for the top and bottom row, and prioritized making the top row over upgrading the middle one.

Even managed to screenshot as the last übertank??? exploded.

i just have to say very well done.. :) congratulations! :D

[tongteh]

Thx. But it's not that hard.

Basically, you try to draw a "blade". I'll try to ascii draw it...

E = Entrance (of forest or castle, depending on side)
C = Basic cannon (Level 1)
X = Special basic cannon (Level 1)
G = Glue cannon (Level 3)
L = Lightning spire (Level 1)
F = Forest
W = Castle wall

You try to start with this in four steps :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG XE
EC L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W

1. Middle line of cannons, without the glue cannons.
2. Make 1 or 2 lightning spires (starting from 'X').
3. Fill your line with glue cannons.
4. Gradually build your line of lightning spires.


Then you gradually replace the cannons in your
middle part with lightning spires.


Then you build up the upper part of the "blade".
If you're good enough (you should be now) it
should look like this (there's not enough pieces
to finish the upper part) :

F LLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F L W
E LGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG XE
EL L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W



Then, finally, the utimate tip : The special basic cannon.
It's a normal basic cannon, but you constantly erase and recreate it.

From this position :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG XE
EC L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W


To this position :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG E
EC LXE
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W


To force them back around your wall of lightning over
and over again for those resistant soldiers/machines.


Enjoy! I beat Easy with this losing only 2 life at Wave 99, that infernal tightly packed line of copters, and losing at Wave 99 in Hard.


I just had a look at your code and picture, but they aren't exactly the same?? on on top of that, i don't get it how you set it this way? look at the red lines? wouldn't that just let them past through easily? is the bottom glue cannon(yellow circle) just for helicopters? cause clearly with such alignment, they wouldn't be hit the top red line..

i am sorry if i am the only one here not being able to understand.. :( but i just have too many question about this. Especially the more i read about your code, the more i get confused.. :confused: like what is super basic cannon?? are you referring to missile tower? and why is there so many part of the code that doesn't seems right with the picture? :confused:

i really appreciate your work for writing the code, but what use is there when it's confusing and unable to understand?

[CommanderData]

I just had a look at your code and picture, but they aren't exactly the same?? on on top of that, i don't get it how you set it this way? look at the red lines? wouldn't that just let them past through easily? is the bottom glue cannon(yellow circle) just for helicopters? cause clearly with such alignment, they wouldn't be hit the top red line..

i am sorry if i am the only one here not being able to understand.. :( but i just have too many question about this. Especially the more i read about your code, the more i get confused.. :confused: like what is super basic cannon?? are you referring to missile tower? and why is there so many part of the code that doesn't seems right with the picture? :confused:

i really appreciate your work for writing the code, but what use is there when it's confusing and unable to understand?

He didn't say "Super" basic cannon, he said "Special". The special thing about it is you keep moving it up and down one space as needed (by selling the existing one and rebuilding it). Doing this at the right times can keep the tough enemies going around that lower section of towers over and over again until they are all dead. Look at the text diagrams again, use the scrollbar and read the whole thing. He explained it all for you in this section (look at the "X", the "special" cannon) :D


Then, finally, the utimate tip : The special basic cannon.
It's a normal basic cannon, but you constantly erase and recreate it.

From this position :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG XE
EC L E
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W


To this position :

F W
F W
E CGCCCGCCCGCCCGCCCG E
EC LXE
F GLGLLLGLLLGLLLGLLLG W
F W


To force them back around your wall of lightning over
and over again for those resistant soldiers/machines.


I was able to beat the Normal mode following this technique last night (I had made it to level 100 once before using my own technique, but lost my lives there). Now to work on Hard mode... Can't wait to see an update to this app, it's one of my favorite games now :)

[sammich]

All you need to do is make a single 'isle' or gauntlet from where they enter to where they try to get out. Build a few basic cannons and upgrade them (the ones in BOLD) just once. Leave the first pair without upgrades. Build a the slow down cannon near the entrance (no need to upgrade these at all). That should handle the baddies until you have enough money to build a lightning tower. Once you built the first lightning tower fill up ONLY the bottom row with crappy gun cannons, this will serve as your wall, all the way to the end.

| | S - slowing cannon * - gap/nothing
| | G - machine gun @ - blocking cannon
|GGGG nothing here G|
E @Exit
|*GSGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG|
| ^|
| |
Then when the enemies reach the end of the gauntlet simply: PAUSE, then sell the gun indicated above by the '^' and move it to the '@' location. Unpause. They will then have to turn around and go around the LONG bottom wall section to get out. Pause. Swap the cannon back. Unpause when they get to the end of the lower side of the wall.

Pointers: Build slowing cannons evenly along the upper and lower rows. About 4 top, and 4 bottom. Replace the lower wall with lightning towers as you get the money. Space evenly.

And it will take special locations of towers along the walls to get the all the aircraft everytime because they don't get blocked by this trick.

Here's the proof on hard (yes, the 16 lives lost were all aircraft grrrrr :mad:).

The screenshot that I took was after I messed around a little, so the configuration i described above isn't intact. But you can see where I put the blocking cannon. Yes, this is a screen grab on hard. Hence the nice high score :D

[ins0mniaque]

Yes, this is a screen grab on hard. Hence the nice high score :D

Nice highscore ? I think you erased too much cannons...


Here's how I do it...

My final level :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/hard.png

My final level backed-up to its original position :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/hard2.png


How to build that thing :

You start by creating the middle line with gatling guns (each of those lightning spires used to be a gatling gun), keeping a space every 2 gun for a future goo gun. Once you reach the other side, you place the "door blocker" (a gatling gun), and wait for 1 or 2 long-range cannons (not upgraded, going down-left from the door blocker).

Then you fill your middle line with goo guns, then proceed to create the entire bottom row, made of unupgraded guns.

You then proceed to create the entire top row. Then you start upgrading the bottom row, because they are used more than the top one, then the top one, then you get lightning spires to replace your middle gatling guns, then you win.


Note: Making the castle entrance look more like my bonus screenshot is a lot more efficient, because when you "move the door", they have to go through your complete maze instead of just half.


Bonus : My copter trap that made me beat easy losing only 1 life (nothing goes through it, never had to "move the door", only a copter from level 99 got through, and not by much) :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/easy.png

And highscores for bragging rights :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/highscore.png

[Goroke]

wow...I had really hard time on NORMAL! (damn Heli). I'll try out the style you guys put up^^ Thanks~

[gospel9]

Sorry but I think that this "blade" method is almost like abusing the game system to me. Although at this point I don't know if it's even possible to beat Hard (probably not) normally. It's still amazing but not quite as much as I had hoped :)

And I have finally managed to beat Normal. One motorcycle round near the beginning had dropped me from 20 to 13.

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7691/photogz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I think this is a fairly simple way to beat Normal.

[Kloondike]

Yeah, although it's easier to beat the game with the infinite loop, selling towers, it wastes a lot of score! And also, sometimes it weakens the defense against air units... making it a lot harder to kill them later!

I hope they implement online scores at some point... then it'll be really cool to compete :)

[tongteh]

moment to be proud,

[devious222]

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/3576/img0005zq5.png (http://img359.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0005zq5.png)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6745/img0006ns5.png (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0006ns5.png)
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/img0006ns5.png/1/w480.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img442/img0006ns5.png/1/)

[sammich]

On easy. I let 2 heli's on the 2nd last wave, only sold one gattling cannon.

So I'm about 3000 points of the max score (aside: the max score on Hard is apparently about 840000).

EDIT: okay, redid that and got the perfect easy game. Not a big achievement but now I can move on (2nd pic).

[watergun]

Just got this game after reading this thread. Thanks for all the tips guys. This game is very fun. Either I am totally immersed in it, or this game uses lots of resources, I can empty a fully charged battery playing this game. Maybe I should take note of the time...:D

[equlizer]

Well there must me something else to your method cause i tried 4 different ways of making what you said and ways of upgrading and the motorbikes always get through :( I have a great method for easy and medium but wont work on hard:confused:

Nice highscore ? I think you erased too much cannons...


Here's how I do it...

My final level :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/hard.png

My final level backed-up to its original position :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/hard2.png


How to build that thing :

You start by creating the middle line with gatling guns (each of those lightning spires used to be a gatling gun), keeping a space every 2 gun for a future goo gun. Once you reach the other side, you place the "door blocker" (a gatling gun), and wait for 1 or 2 long-range cannons (not upgraded, going down-left from the door blocker).

Then you fill your middle line with goo guns, then proceed to create the entire bottom row, made of unupgraded guns.

You then proceed to create the entire top row. Then you start upgrading the bottom row, because they are used more than the top one, then the top one, then you get lightning spires to replace your middle gatling guns, then you win.


Note: Making the castle entrance look more like my bonus screenshot is a lot more efficient, because when you "move the door", they have to go through your complete maze instead of just half.


Bonus : My copter trap that made me beat easy losing only 1 life (nothing goes through it, never had to "move the door", only a copter from level 99 got through, and not by much) :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/easy.png

And highscores for bragging rights :
http://www.ins0mniaque.com/fieldrunners/highscore.png

[sammich]

On my way to getting it perfect (yeah, that first screenie isn't exactly a good representative). These shots are taken after the game is finished, and I pressed 'Resume'. This way the final score with the bonus is included.

equlizer can you trim down that post?