Everything is going according to plan for the heroes of the wetlands. There are no walls to defend your dungeon heart, holy magic stops you from building bridges and surely tentacles alone cannot stop them from drowning you in a shallow puddle of water.Build a bridgehead and figure out a way to get the mighty Horned Reaper to turn the tide.
- Creature Pool: Bile Demon, Orc, Hell Hound, Bug, Tentacle
- Objects: Creatures: 44, Traps: 15, Doors: 11, Items: 146, Dungeon hearts: 2, Hero gates: 0, Special Boxes: 1
Wetlands emerges as a welcome counterpart to its more punishing sibling, Thug of War, offering a sanctuary for those seeking respite from its relentless difficulty. However, don't mistake this for boredom; this map packs a punch while still keeping players engaged.
In Wetlands, players find themselves grappling with limited space for dungeon construction, all the while fending off relentless assaults from heroes. While the waves may not match the ferocity of Thug of War, they still pose a significant threat if creatures aren't properly trained. The creature pool includes familiar faces like orcs, demon spawns, warlocks, and our aquatic friend the tentacle. Notably, the inclusion of small puzzles breaks the monotony often associated with tower defense maps, adding a refreshing layer of depth to the gameplay.
Beyond the heat of battle, Wetlands excels in crafting a captivating atmosphere. From its damp environment to the eerie presence of tentacles and subtle elements like fog and clouds drifting over the water's surface, every detail contributes to an immersive and authentic experience.
In terms of difficulty, Wetlands strikes a balance, offering challenges without overwhelming players like some of Loobinex's other creations. It's well-suited for both seasoned veterans returning to Dungeon Keeper and newcomers to KeeperFx who finished the original game. However, as I was familiar with Loobinex' map style, this might have influenced my rating in regard of difficulty.
Overall, Wetlands delivers an enjoyable experience, blending excellent atmosphere with engaging challenges. It's an ideal choice for players seeking a new adventure after conquering the original game. However, amidst Loobinex's impressive repertoire, it struggles to stand out, overshadowed by more unique and exotic offerings like Thug of War, Shackled Hand, or Ghost in the Machine. Wetlands feels like the overlooked sibling in an academic family, diligently earning top marks but often overshadowed by its more gifted brothers and sisters who steal the spotlight.
Difficulty: 3/5
Rating: 4/5