Is it just or or has hero balance (and general gameplay) gotten worse with each new instalment?

[Chap]

every kingdom rush game after the original: Hmm lets make a dragon hero and give them amazing aoe... oh or what if we gave them an instakill... oooor what if we gave them BOTH?! aaaaaaand they're broken :0 however could this have happened?


First they came for the hero level system, and I did not speak out - because I was not knowledgeable of its demerits

Then they came for the simplicity of hero spells, and I did not speak out - because I was not sad to see them changed

Then they came for the tower system, and I did not speak out - because I was never using all eight towers in any of the other games anyway

Then they came for the overall gameplay - and there was no substance left to create a fun and engaging game

-John Kingdom Rush

[???]

I haven't tried the dragon heroes yet but I'm pretty bonehart in krf practically destroys everything, then there is pathetically useless mirage and cronan. In this game, I haven't encountered a pathetic worthless hero yet so I'm not sure if the hero balance is getting worse instead of being more of same(or even better).

Also I've not finished the game yet but personally the gameplay is better than vengeance so far.

[Pielord]

tbh my best combo heroes are Broden and Anya. Their skills are great and they can deal with groups of heroes or tough enemies pretty well. And they both can target air enemies, which are this game's most annoying thing.

As for the dragon heroes, i will say they are kinda ok. They still require good positioning because like previous dragon heroes, if enemies are at certain angles and below them, they will not attack. And so far i will say the blue dragon is better than the red dragon because of the skill, which is pretty damn great

[valky]

Yeah, dragon are more than just 'okay'. Currently doing the impossible run, and up to at least stage 10 it's literal easy mode.
instant-kill & brutal AoE on both is insane.

In my regular run I went with Broden & Onagro later on, but they need ground-support units.

@above: ! +1 Bonehart is my favorite as well :Þ

Originally posted by Chap:

:krvpop:Then they came for the tower system, and I did not speak out - because I was never using all eight towers in any of the other games anyway

Stalled KR4 for the longest and finished the older ones first. I wasn't a huge fan of the tower-overhaul neither. In the end you use your preferred tower over and over anyway with maybe a slight change depending the level.

[Miathan]

Dragon heroes are supposed to be OP though, because when they're not, everyone complains (Ashbite). A dragon is in many people's eyes the embodiment of power, and people want to be able to feel that while playing. Also, KRA dragons are less OP than Vengeance dragons, so it's a step in the right direction.

I just wish there was some incentive to clear the game without dragons. Maybe some Steam achievements for doing a no-dragon impossible clear, or no-dragon iron challenges. I know we can just make our own challenges and clear the game with weak heroes, but it would feel a lot better if there was some kind of recognition for it.

[Chap]

Originally posted by Miathan:

Dragon heroes are supposed to be OP though, because when they're not, everyone complains (Ashbite). A dragon is in many people's eyes the embodiment of power, and people want to be able to feel that while playing. Also, KRA dragons are less OP than Vengeance dragons, so it's a step in the right direction.

I just wish there was some incentive to clear the game without dragons. Maybe some Steam achievements for doing a no-dragon impossible clear, or no-dragon iron challenges. I know we can just make our own challenges and clear the game with weak heroes, but it would feel a lot better if there was some kind of recognition for it.

Ashbite wasn't complained about because he wasn't overpowered, he was complained about because he was underpowered and his most useful ability was rng based. dragon heroes being OP just because they are dragons isn't good hero design and DEFINITELY is not fun game design. Yes, dragons in kingdom rush are really cool, and when you use them you feel like a badass, but being cool isn't anywhere near a valid reason for making a hero OP. If the heroes were balanced in the first place then there would be no need for a no dragon run achievement.