Defense Games Online
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Defense Online Games
Quick answer: Defense games are strategy challenges where you stop enemy waves by building towers, units, and traps to protect your base. Most titles here run in the browser on desktop and mobile, with short or long sessions depending on the mode. Start with a classic tower defense, or try base defense if you prefer building and reacting on the fly.
What are defense games?
Defense games focus on holding a position against incoming enemies. You place towers and units, manage resources like gold or mana, and upgrade your setup between waves. Paths, maps, and difficulty settings shape each run, while endless modes test how long your build can survive.
Main subgenres
- Tower Defense (TD): Place towers along lanes to stop creeps. Think waves, pathing, upgrades, and boss rounds.
- Base Defense: Fortify a single base, shift units, repair walls, react to multi-direction attacks.
- Castle Defense: Medieval theme, archers and siege, simple to learn, tight wave timing.
- Zombie Defense: Attrition-based waves, crowd control and splash damage are key.
- RTS-Defense: Mix of building, tech tree, and mobile units with defense-first gameplay.
- Idle/Survivors-like: Auto-attacks, incremental upgrades, comp choices over micromanagement.
Popular mechanics and terms
- Waves, boss waves, lanes/pathing
- Towers/turrets, traps, heroes, spells
- Upgrades, tech tree, resources (gold/mana)
- Endless mode, level packs, map variety
- HTML5/WebGL browser play; desktop, mobile, tablet
Where to start
If you're new, try a classic tower defense with clear lanes and early upgrades. Fans of micromanagement can pick base or RTS-defense. Like steady progress? Idle or survivors-like defense will fit you well.
Quick comparison
| Subgenre | Core loop | Session length | Best on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower Defense | Build along paths, upgrade, counter bosses | 10-25 min/level | Desktop & Mobile |
| Base Defense | Hold the base, repair, reposition units | 15-30 min | Desktop |
| Castle Defense | Fast waves, ranged units, simple upgrades | 5-15 min | Mobile |
| RTS-Defense | Build economy, tech, deploy mobile squads | 20-40+ min | Desktop |
Notable titles and series
Players often search for Cursed Treasure (incl. Cursed Treasure 2), GemCraft, Kingdom Rush Frontiers, Bloons Tower Defense, Toy Defense, Age of War, YORG.io, Army of Ages, Two-Timin' Towers, Endless Siege, Canvas TD, Tower Swap. Availability can vary by platform and region.
Tips to improve faster
- Scout the pathing: place slows and splash at corners and long lanes.
- Eco early, power mid: invest in economy first, then pivot to damage before boss waves.
- Cover roles: single-target vs. AoE, air vs. ground, stun vs. slow.
- Adapt: resell or reposition if a map allows it; dont overcommit too early.
FAQ
What's the difference between tower defense and base defense?
Tower defense uses fixed paths and lane control; base defense focuses on protecting one location from multiple directions with more reactive play.
Do I need to download anything?
Many defense games run in the browser via HTML5/WebGL. Some titles may still require an app or an additional download depending on the platform.
Can I play on a phone or tablet?
Yes, a lot of browser TD games have touch-friendly UI. Complexity-heavy RTS-defense usually feels better on desktop.
What are "waves" and "boss waves"?
Waves are timed enemy groups; boss waves add enemies with higher health or unique abilities that test your build.
How do upgrades and resources work?
You earn gold or similar currency by defeating enemies and completing waves, then spend it on new towers, unit tiers, or tech.
Ready to defend? Pick a subgenre, choose a map, and start your first wave. Simple as that, go!