Grinder is too easy

[Callomac]

Though we haven't seen many of DG2's maps yet, it seems that DG2 shares one problem with the original - that grinder mode is too easy. Grinder is repeated waves of the same walker, and one with low health that is particularly susceptible to low damage area-effect weapons (e.g., inferno). My typical strategy has been to build a line of infernos, with some temporals behind them to slow walkers down and keep them in the kill zone longer. In DG1 this was especially effective since the subsequent waves primarily just increased in walker number rather than walker health, all walkers, no matter how many there were, took damage while in the inferno's kill zone. In DG2, the number of walkers doesn't seem to increase with each wave; instead, walker health increases. This makes it a bit harder, but I still found that I could beat most waves with just a ~6 or 7 infernos in a line and three temporals. DG2 also changes the degree to which walkers are bunched together, which made some waves harder to kill, so I had to add a couple cannons in case a walker slipped through the kill zone (though few did). Despite that, I had largely built all of the towers I could ever need quite early and it was just a matter of running through the remaining waves to complete the map. The only way to add challenge is to hold off on building to maximize my score, but this is not all that enjoyable; I'd rather have a grinder map that requires constant strategic thinking all the way until the very end.

My suggestion is that grinder should be modified, or maybe a new mode created, that sends random patterns of walkers, so that the only way to beat it is to have a mix of tower types. This will require more strategy and be much more of a challenge.

[Callomac]

I should add that I really loved DG1, and expect to like DG2 just as much. Other than some broken achievements, and my comments above, I am impressed with DG2 so far and look forward to playing some more tonight.

[Devgamer]

Howdy! Thanks for the feedback! Grinder in in these particular levels is pretty easy, while more challenging in others depending on available tower build spaces and whatnot, so plesae keep that in mind. We are in the process of tuning these things, including towers too, so that all will have an affect in the final product. That's why we need your feedback to help drive these decisions, so thank you!

Have you tried it on all difficulty modes as well?

I'll send your suggestions along to the team, and thank you for playing Callomac!

[Cougarific]

LOL @ dev's name-change! Who is dat? :-D

[PINS]

bahh thats just devgamer. http://www.twitch.tv/devgamer/profile

[Devgamer]

Lol! I was trolling my dota buddies with my steam sale name

[Aussiedroid]

Perhaps the Grinder could stay as is, if you go the hard difficulties I find its more challenging (albeit the lower difficulties I agree feel easy at the moment), but another Grinder mode with all mobs would be cool, even one that is an endless grinder mode, constantly getting harder and harder to survive. I've always loved endless modes in other TD games to see just how far you can push your strategies :)

[tutamun]

Originally posted by Callomac:

My suggestion is that grinder should be modified, or maybe a new mode created, that sends random patterns of walkers, so that the only way to beat it is to have a mix of tower types. This will require more strategy and be much more of a challenge.

Instead of random monster patterns they could also use the story mode pattern and repeat it with the aliens getting stronger and stronger. (At least on the maps where there is lots of build space this would be chalenging. Not sure if it would work on maps with less build space.)

[The Jones]

I kinda like the format of Grinder. It isn't so much a difficult mode, but one in which you strive to perfect the absolute best and most efficient use of resources over the waves. I agree that the periodic doublet of 'thin' waves add a nice stress point every so often, keeping you from getting too complacent with your strategy. I think of it more like an Olympic event - not necessarily difficult, but a place to strive to be the best given a simple set of rules.

(I'll note that I have thoroughly enjoyed grinder in both DG1 and 2)

[seablom]

Grinder was my favorite mode in DG1 and I apreciated it the most when something came through every few waves to crash my defenses and keep me on my toes. So far I have found DG2 to feel too easy in all modes including grinder. I hope you continue to tweek the ballance to make the game more challenging.

[trash]

Grinder has always been easy its getting a top score which is hard to do and takes some planing and getting right.

[Bernie]

Originally posted by trash:

Grinder has always been easy its getting a top score which is hard to do and takes some planing and getting right.

With which i agree.

[Tig Ol' Bitties]

Anyone else think that missiles are overpowered and make the game a little too easy?

I'm in story mode and have blazed through 16 of the 20 maps already with little more than a gun, laser and missile mix that gets me 'gold' every time.

[John Wilkes Bluetooth]

Originally posted by trash:

Grinder has always been easy its getting a top score which is hard to do and takes some planing and getting right.

Agreed.