Tower Defense Games

Overview

Build various weapon towers to protect your base from waves of enemies. Some are open field where you build your towers to usher enemies through them. Other are closed path where you build towers on the side of the path. Find out the best.

Essential Apps

• $2.99

  Fieldrunners

  by Subatomic Studios, LLC

  The original, and still the best tower defense game for the iPhone. It's an open field version that is set apart by the animations, character design, and gameplay. The including towers are great, three maps with different types of enemies, and so much fun and action for the tower defense genre. The recent update including OpenFeint online high scores and achievements solidifies this game in the top spot.

• $1.99

  geoDefense Swarm

  by Critical Thought Games LLC

  Open field geoDefense, what more do I need to say. The most difficult tower defense game that provides constant attention which is rarely seen in the genre is now open field. Also combined with exquisite graphics, and 30 levels of amazingly increasing difficulty. The open field aspect took away the trial and error feel of the original. Just a smidge below Fieldrunners.

Notable Apps

• Free

  The Creeps!

  by Super Squawk Software

  Closed path tower defense with remarkable charm and fun. This game takes a lighter side to tower defense, and is much more fun because of it. Three gameplay modes with multiple maps makes this an extremely deluxe tower defense game. A bunch of action is included, and it does provide the most fun of any tower defense game. If you're more into closed path The Creeps is the choice.

• $1.99

  Defender Chronicles - Legend of The Desert King

  by Chillingo Ltd

  Defender Chronicles combines closed path tower defense with RPG story and ranking system. The game has had numerous updates leaving it as so much more than just tower defense. A great experience on the iPhone regardless of category, and may be higher depending on your love of RPG elements. Just behind the other games listed above.

• $1.99

  geoDefense

  by Critical Thought Games

  The original geoDefense is closed path, and is extremely challenging requiring constant attention, and that doesn't guarantee success. Very similar to swarm in every regard except the game felt more like there was only one way to complete a level which made it like trial and error. A great tower defense game, but there are a few better choices.

Decent Apps

• $0.99

  Star Defense

  by ngmoco, Inc.

  3D tower defense from ngmoco. Does everything extremely well except for the gameplay. It's just average in that category leaving a relatively boring tower defense compared to the stiff competition. Sadly the 3D perspective doesn't change the basic gameplay idea.

• $2.99

  TowerMadness™

  by Limbic Software

  Tower Defense with all of the objects in the game rendered in 3D, but not 3D perspective like Star Defense. A solid tower defense game that spices up the visuals, but falls short to very stiff competition in the essential and notable categories.

• $0.99

  Sentinel 2: Earth Defense

  by Origin8

  Space themed tower defense that requires a bit more strategy with the large arsenal of weapons. Really nicely made, and just below the fixed path games The Creeps, Defender Chronicles, and geoDefense.

• $0.99

  7 Cities

  by Neptune Interactive Inc.

  A unique tower defense where it's closed path on the water. Defend your base from incoming ships traveling up river. The game has a small scale to pack a lot of tower spots on a map. It's in the notable category, and not higher because replayability is a little question. Also it doesn't provide any new gameplay as compared to the games in the top two categories.

• Free

  TapDefense

  by TapJoy

  Free version of tower defense that is simple, but free. Really good for free, but a new update added a favor system, and made it a little disappointing.

• $0.99

  Besiegement

  by Just Kissed Games

  Simple in graphics, but very deluxe in gameplay. A whole bunch of levels, and two gameplay modes will keep you coming back. There are better options available though.

• $2.99

  TriDefense

  by Kalio Ltda.

  Enemies attack from all directions becoming super open field. Enemies can come in from anywhere making it the most difficult tower defense game in the App Store. Not for beginners, but a really good tower defense game. A great choice, but there are a couple better options for open field tower defense.

• $3.99

  Zombie Attack! Second Wave XL

  by IUGO Mobile Entertainment Inc.

  A sequel that adds more maps and zombies. Unique tower defense where there is also a fighting element as your character runs around screen. A little boring though in the long hall, and not as engaging as the previous mentioned TDs.

• $2.99

  Bloons TD

  by Digital Goldfish Ltd

  The flash game sequel the the original Bloons puzzle game is also ported to the iPhone. Just like bloons, but in tower defense shape. Bloons come, and there are multiple towers to pop the huge waves of balloons. Too basic compared tot he other games in the category, but still good if you like Bloons.

Other Apps