Artificial Defense (2016)

Genres: Action Strategy Indie

Released: 2016-06-01

Requirements

Minimum
OS	Windows 7 or higher
Processor	Intel Core i3 2.00 GHz or AMD equivalent
Memory	4 GB RAM
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce 450 or higher with 1GB Memory
Storage	500 MB available space

Recommended
OS	Windows 10
Processor	Intel Core i3 2.00 GHz or AMD equivalent
Memory	4 GB RAM
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce 450 or higher with 1GB Memory
Storage	500 MB available space

Developers

Thiemo Bolder, ONEMANGAMES

Publishers

Thiemo Bolder, ONEMANGAMES

Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/443420/)

Tags:
Singleplayer Steam Achievements Full controller support Steam Cloud steam-trading-cards Tower Defense

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Description

Artificial Defense is a unique blend of top-down orbital shooting, real-time strategy (RTS), and tower defense mechanics, combining elements from multiple genres into a cohesive gameplay experience. The core objective of the game is to protect your Operation System (OS) from waves of invading creeps while strategically managing offensive and defensive resources. Despite the simplicity of the premise, achieving success demands careful planning, precise execution, and adaptability in real-time scenarios.

Gameplay Overview

The central task in Artificial Defense involves defending your OS from intrusions by hostile entities. Players are required to manage both their offensive and defensive assets, deploying advanced weapons and specialized towers while simultaneously coordinating system countermeasures. Actions include firing miniguns, launching Hellfire missiles, deploying Hades-Bombs, and activating powerful railgun and acid towers. In addition, players can spawn Intrusion Counter Measures (ICMs) to reclaim corrupted databases and compromised firewalls, all while maintaining an evolving hardware infrastructure.

Offensive Capabilities - Orbital Shooter

The game provides 21 distinct offensive weapons ranging from primitive flintlocks to catastrophic neutron bombs and meteoric strikes. Players can organize these weapons into three preset categories, with each weapon subject to a cooldown period and RAM cost for firing. Precision aiming is essential, as projectiles have travel time and creeps are constantly in motion. Weapon upgrades and new types can be unlocked and installed in the uplab, allowing players to expand their offensive repertoire over time.

Defensive Mechanics - Tower Defense

Artificial Defense includes 21 types of defense towers, which range from basic pistol-sentry towers to flame-throwers and high-powered railguns. Seven production towers generate RAM, the main resource necessary to maintain and upgrade defenses. Tower deployment requires costly capsule drops, and strategic placement is critical to balance resource generation with defensive coverage. Advanced tower models and improvements can also be unlocked in the uplab, enhancing defensive efficiency and adaptability.

Strategic Management - Real-Time Strategy

Players can spawn Intrusion Counter Measures (ICMs) to reclaim corrupted system structures such as databases, honeypots, and firewalls. Databases release datablips containing valuable resources that must reach backup devices safely. Successfully escorting datablips increases available RAM, which is crucial for sustaining both offensive operations and defense tower functionality. This RTS element introduces a layer of strategic depth, requiring players to balance offensive assaults, defensive positioning, and resource management simultaneously.

Progression and Hardware Evolution

Artificial Defense features seven hardware levels, starting from analog punch-tape systems and culminating in quantum A.I. mainframes. Players earn RAM during gameplay, which allows for upgrading both offensive weapons and defensive towers, as well as advancing the overall hardware system. This progression enhances both firepower and defensive capacity, providing a clear sense of development and growth throughout the game.

Challenges and Content

The game offers 49 distinct challenges spread across seven different server environments, each requiring unique tactical approaches. Players encounter varied creep patterns, resource management obstacles, and hardware limitations, making each server a distinct strategic environment. Additionally, Artificial Defense includes 13 music tracks that accompany gameplay, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience while managing complex defensive and offensive operations.

Resource Management

RAM functions as the core resource, essential for operating offensive weapons, defensive towers, and spawning ICMs. Efficient RAM management is vital, requiring players to maintain a balance between resource production, defense deployment, and offensive expenditure. Production towers must be carefully placed and managed to sustain ongoing operations, emphasizing strategic planning in addition to quick reflexes during combat.

Summary of Features

Combination of RTS, Tower Defense, and Orbital Shooter mechanics
21 offensive weapons with diverse capabilities
21 defense towers including production towers for RAM generation
Seven hardware levels from punch-tape systems to quantum A.I.
49 challenges across seven server environments
13 original music tracks enhancing gameplay experience
Intrusion Counter Measures (ICMs) for strategic reconquest of corrupted systems
Complex resource management with RAM as the central gameplay element

Artificial Defense requires players to strategically deploy weapons, towers, and ICMs while adapting to dynamic threats across multiple servers. Its hybrid gameplay style integrates fast-paced orbital shooting, tactical tower placement, and real-time strategy elements into a challenging and rewarding experience. Continuous progression through hardware evolution and the unlocking of new weapons and towers provides long-term engagement and a sense of accomplishment for players.

FAQ

Artificial Defense is a game combining elements of RTS (Real-Time Strategy), Tower Defense, and Orbital Shooter genres. Players must defend their Operating System (OS) against intruding creeps using offensive weapons, defense towers, and strategy to conquer corrupted system structures.

Artificial Defense is available on PC.

The minimum requirements are: Windows 7 or higher, Intel Core i3 2.00 GHz (or AMD equivalent), 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 450 or higher with 1GB memory, and 500 MB of available storage. The recommended specifications include Windows 10 and the same processor and RAM, but with updated hardware.

There are 21 offensive weapons in Artificial Defense, ranging from flintlocks to powerful weapons like neutron bombs and meteors. Players can switch between weapon categories and launch attacks every few seconds.

In the Tower Defense portion of the game, players can deploy 21 defense towers to protect their OS. These range from basic pistol-sentry towers to advanced railgun installations. Players also need to manage RAM production through resource towers to keep their defense system running.

The main objective is to defend your OS against intruders by using a combination of offensive weapons, defensive towers, and strategy. Players must protect important resources like RAM and conquer corrupted databases, honeypots, and firewalls.

Artificial Defense offers 49 challenges across 7 different servers, providing a variety of difficulty levels and environments.

Yes, players can upgrade both their offensive weapons and defense towers in the game. As you progress, you can unlock and install more powerful versions of both.

The game blends RTS, Tower Defense, and Orbital Shooter gameplay. Players will need to switch between offense and defense, manage resources like RAM, and use strategic planning to protect their system from waves of creeps.

RAM is a crucial resource in the game, used for firing weapons and deploying towers. Players must manage their RAM economy wisely to keep their defense systems and offensive weapons running efficiently.

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