Build
Place walls, turrets, traps and guard posts on the grid. Shape the routes invaders take toward the Core.
Playable prototypeSingle-player · PC
Archineer
Build the fort. Lead the fight. Defend the Core.
A tower-defence game with a real-time hero. Fortify the grid between waves, then step onto the battlefield yourself and fight every invader that comes for your Core.
- per level
- ~5 min
- per level
- hero classes
- 2
- hero classes
- abilities each, plus a basic attack
- 4 + 1
- abilities each, plus a basic attack
- diorama, fixed diagonal camera
- 3D
- diorama, fixed diagonal camera
The loop
Build. Fight. Defend.
Fight
Start the wave and take direct control of your hero. Move, attack and fire abilities in real time.
Defend
Keep the Core alive through every wave. Rebuild, upgrade and go again. Each level takes about five minutes.
Build phase
Four ways to hold the line
Spend resources on defences between waves. Invaders come from three entrances and follow their routes loosely, so no two waves play out quite the same. Salvage any defence for half of what you put into it.
1
Wall
Block and funnel invaders. Comes in several lengths, corners and gates.
20 resources
2
Turret
Automatic fire at anything in range. Upgrade from Mk I to Mk III for faster, harder, longer-range shots.
50 resources
Mk I→Mk II→Mk III
3
Trap
Set it on an invader route and it triggers on whatever walks over it.
35 resources
4
Guard post
Stations an ally who steps out to fight invaders that come close.
60 resources
Wave phase
Pick your hero
When the wave starts, you're on the battlefield. Each class has a basic attack and four abilities on the number keys.
Front-line melee
Warrior
Holds the breach and carves through anything that reaches the walls.
Basic attack
Sword sweep
A close-range slash at the invader in front of you.
- 1Charging Cut
Dash toward the cursor. The next sword sweep hits for double and slows.
- 2Iron Stance
Take half damage for 4 s and heal 24 over time.
- 3Whirling Edge
Spin for 2.5 s, hitting every invader around you.
- 4Finishing Verdict
A heavy strike on the nearest invader ahead, double on wounded foes.
Screenshots
From the current build
Work-in-progress captures from the prototype. Click any shot to enlarge.
Roadmap
Where it's at
In the prototype now
- One complete level: 3 waves, growing to 5
- Two hero classes, Range and Warrior, each with a basic attack and four abilities
- Walls, turrets, traps and guard posts on the grid
- Upgradeable turrets, Mk I to Mk III
- Multiple save slots
Planned
- A boss encounter
- Difficulty levels
- More levels
The Core needs defenders.
Get Archineer news, playtest invites and devlogs as the prototype grows into a full game.
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