Games worth discovering
What if Slay the Spire was a tower defense game? CD 2: Trap Master is a super addictive deck-builder
5K View2023-12-15
SHOULD I PLAY CD 2: TRAP MASTER?
Do you like setting traps? Are you a fan of roguelike deck-builders and tower defense games? If any of that sounds appealing to you, check out CD 2: Trap Master. There’s something incredibly satisfying about setting up combos and watching enemies march to their doom one by one. The game could use a little tweaking, but it’s an absolute blast to play.
PLAY IT FOR YOURSELF
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TIME PLAYED
I played about five hours of CD 2: Trap Master, which gave me time to try out a variety of builds and strategies. Not every run was a successful one, but even when I failed to keep enemy hordes at bay, I had a pretty good time. I’ve managed to complete all of the three available chapters, so I can confidently say that the game is pretty addictive in its current state.
WHAT’S AWESOME ABOUT CD 2: TRAP MASTER?
• Great mix of tower defense and deck-building. CD 2: Trap Master is the perfect combination of Orcs Must Die! and Slay the Spire. The card game mechanics work absolutely seamlessly with classic tower defense strategies, to the point that I can’t believe there aren’t more games that combine these two genres. It took me a little while to adjust to the gameplay, but once I had a handle on things, it was hard to put down.
• Lots of options for builds. Like every great deck-builder, CD 2: Trap Master really let me flex my creative muscles. Not only is there a solid selection of cards to build with, but every single card can be customized. I could upgrade my favorite cards and make them more powerful or apply “inscryptions” to cards that changed the way they worked. There are still plenty of cards I haven’t played with and all kinds of combos I’ve yet to test out. It’s a game filled with possibilities, and that makes me want to experiment and try out as many deck archetypes as I can.
• Tons of strategic depth. Every time I started a new run in CD 2: Trap Master, I learned something new. I could enhance and customize my cards in all kinds of ways, and there were tons of methods to take down opponents. I played for hours before I realized that I could instantly kill enemies by knocking them into water, or that I could use fans to switch the targets of bullet traps. That sense of discovery motivated me to keep playing even after I had a successful run.
WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT IN CD 2: TRAP MASTER?
• It feels rough around the edges. CD 2: Trap Master has a great foundation, but parts of the game still feel unfinished and underdeveloped. That’s not surprising—it is in early access, after all—but it’s jarring enough that it’s worth pointing out. The user interface is clunky and difficult to navigate. On top of that, the story segments feel underwritten and don’t really add anything to the game; most of these sections felt like a waste of my time.
I also had some issues with the visuals. The overall art style is fine, but certain assets look a little too much like visuals from other properties. For example, at the start of the game, I was greeted by a book that looked almost identical to Librom from Soul Sacrifice. These assets are distracting and ultimately feel like placeholders. Hopefully, the final version of the game will be more visually cohesive.
PLATFORM TESTED
PC.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO PLAY ON CLOUD?
CD 2: Trap Master starts off by asking you to name your character. Normally, this isn’t a problem, but since the cloud version doesn’t have an onscreen keyboard, this task is impossible to complete. Thankfully, I was able to start the game without entering a name, and it was pretty smooth sailing from there. Using the touchscreen made it easy to rotate and place traps, and the game ran seamlessly overall. If you don’t mind playing as a character named “???,” the cloud version is definitely worth a try.
Mentioned games
While I'm not into games like these, the game "CD2: Trap Master" is a unique blend of roguelike deckbuilding and tower defense, offering a fresh take on the genre. It combines the card combo mechanics of games like Slay the Spire with the engaging nature of tower defense. The game features various strategies and synergies, such as accelerating building attack speed, displacing enemies, and setting up trap bonuses. It also includes different enemy types that require real-time attention and micro-management. The demo version showcases a robust and promising gameplay experience, with the potential for further improvements in mechanical balance and information clarity. The game's structure follows a classical Slay the Spire-esque map of events, with varying bosses and maps to explore. It incorporates unique events such as card enhancements and merchant events, adding depth to the gameplay. The combat system integrates real-time strategy elements, where players must manage active time bars and make strategic decisions on card placement. Despite some initial complexity, the game is recommended for tower defense enthusiasts seeking a fresh twist on the genre. Newcomers may find it slightly intimidating at first, but the evolving game development is expected to clarify information and solidify synergies. The demo is available for anyone to download, allowing players to experience the game's unique features and consider it for purchase.
Danlee1442024-01-02
Title: Slay the Spire - A Strategic Symphony of Deck-Building and Roguelike Gameplay
Description: Slay the Spire is a unique blend of deck-building card game and roguelike elements. Players ascend a spire, facing off against challenging foes and making strategic decisions about their deck of cards. Each run is different, offering endless replayability and demanding a deep understanding of the game's mechanics.
PROS
1. Engaging Deck-Building Mechanics
Slay the Spire's deck-building mechanics are at the core of its gameplay. With hundreds of cards to choose from, the possibilities for deck strategies are almost limitless, and finding the perfect synergy between cards is satisfying.
Kosh1K2023-05-16
CLOUD GAMING - CD 2: TRAP MASTER - THE MOST UNIQUE & FUN TOWER DEFENSE!
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Pawkt6K2023-11-29
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