Lock's Quest is a game that builds on you. It takes a while to break ground and get past the tutorial. You are then given very rudimentary materials/mechanics. But the game slowly pushes you to use them in ways other tower defense games are scared of. You need to leave your creation behind to go claim new territory, then build up defenses for both. You need to pick up your base and carry it to a new but less defensible position. By the end of the game the writing has gone from 2/10 to 5/10, you are given hoards of money, and the waves of enemies will consistently put your back to the walls you just built.

I don't feel like I should be as positive about this game as I am. But it was just the simple toy I was looking for after playing a super artsy and emotionally involved game. And it was a pretty dang good toy.

Sanctum is an unassuming game. It is clunky from the visual perspective and tutorialization. It isn't particularly satisfying or creative in its towers or weapons. There isn't a strong sense of style or music. But this game does scratch that 3D tower defense itch really well, criminally well for how underplayed it is (Less than 2% of players have beaten the final level despite it being quite satisfying). The maze building offers the most freedom in the genre I have seen, the experimentation and min-maxing is an option for players, and you get a hefty amount of money every level to keep your decision making involved.

If you want more Orcs Must Die, this game is fantastic. If you bounced off Orcs Must Die for the sappers and fantasy aesthetic, this is the game for you. Otherwise, this game is just gonna awkwardly stand behind Orcs Must Die.