They Came From Below, developed and published by Piece Of Voxel, is a modest tower defense title that combines straightforward strategic gameplay with a light resource management layer, all wrapped in a simple low-poly presentation. The premise is immediately familiar: enemies rise from beneath the ground in waves, and it’s up to the player to construct defenses, manage income, and prevent their base from being overwhelmed. While it doesn’t attempt to reinvent the genre, it tries to add a bit of flexibility through its economic system and open-ended approach to strategy.

The core gameplay loop revolves around placing and upgrading defensive towers while balancing resource generation. Players are given the freedom to decide how to approach each level—whether to invest early in building a strong defensive line, prioritize economic growth for long-term scaling, or strike a balance between the two. This flexibility is one of the game’s more appealing features, as it encourages experimentation rather than forcing a single optimal strategy. In the early stages, this creates a satisfying rhythm of planning, reacting, and refining defenses as enemy waves become more demanding.

However, this sense of engagement doesn’t fully hold over time. While the game introduces different towers and enemy types, the variety is not deep enough to significantly change how the game is played. Strategies that work early on tend to remain effective later, and enemy behavior rarely evolves in ways that require new approaches. As a result, the gameplay loop can start to feel repetitive, with progression relying more on scaling numbers than introducing fresh challenges or mechanics. What begins as a flexible system gradually becomes predictable.

Visually, the game adopts a minimalist low-poly style that gives it a clean and accessible look. The environments shift across different themes, providing some variation and helping distinguish one level from another. While the art direction is cohesive and easy to read during gameplay, it remains fairly basic, lacking the detail or flair that might make it stand out. The same can be said for the audio design, which provides adequate background music and sound effects without leaving a strong impression. Together, these elements create a functional presentation that supports the gameplay but doesn’t elevate it.

One of the more noticeable issues with the game is its lack of polish. Certain mechanics are not always clearly explained, which can make the early experience confusing for new players. In addition, technical quirks and occasional bugs can interrupt the flow of gameplay, reinforcing the sense that the game is somewhat underdeveloped. These problems are not constant, but they are frequent enough to impact the overall experience, particularly for players expecting a more refined product.

Content is another area where the game feels limited. While there are multiple levels and some variation in environments, the overall scope remains relatively small. Once players become familiar with the available mechanics and strategies, there is little to significantly extend the experience. Replay value is present in theory, especially for those who enjoy optimizing their approach, but the lack of deeper systems or evolving challenges makes it difficult to stay engaged for long periods.

Despite these shortcomings, They Came From Below has a certain simplicity that can work in its favor. It is easy to pick up, doesn’t demand a large time investment, and can provide short bursts of casual enjoyment. For players looking for a lightweight tower defense experience without the complexity of more demanding titles, it offers a straightforward and accessible option.

In the end, They Came From Below is a game that delivers a functional but limited take on the tower defense formula. Its flexible approach to strategy and approachable design give it some initial appeal, but its lack of depth, repetition, and technical roughness prevent it from reaching a higher level of quality. It’s best suited for casual play sessions rather than long-term engagement, offering brief moments of satisfaction without leaving a lasting impression.

Rating: 6/10