Tempest Tower: Half Past Yellow’s New Take on Tower Defense

Tempest Tower Reworks Tower Defense Around Active Combat

Half Past Yellow, the Copenhagen-based indie studio behind Tinykin and Time on Frog Island, is stepping into new territory with Tempest Tower. Set to release in Early Access in early 2025 on Steam, this vibrant title blends strategic tower defense with action-platforming in a genre-bending twist.

A World Under Siege: Welcome to Trip Space

In Tempest Tower, players are dropped into the heart of Trip Space, a once-peaceful dimension now consumed by a dark and dangerous fog. This eerie transformation brings with it the Creepers, relentless invaders that threaten everything in their path.

As one of the last defenders, your task is clear: fortify your tower, repel the Creepers, and survive the storm.

Build, Fight, Survive: Gameplay Structure

The Build Phase

• Explore the terrain
• Gather vital resources
• Construct defensive contraptions
• Strategize around terrain and resource availability

This phase is crucial for laying down your defenses and preparing for the chaos ahead.

The Action Phase

Once the Creepers arrive, it’s time to shift into real-time combat. The Action Phase is fast-paced and demands both quick reflexes and smart thinking. Players can:

• Engage enemies directly
• Trigger contraptions
• Navigate dynamic battlefields
• Jump on enemies’ heads in true platformer style

Strategic Layering Meets Platforming Mechanics

What makes Tempest Tower stand out is how it integrates platforming elements into its tower defense loop. This isn’t just about sitting back and watching your turrets do the work.

You’ll leap, dodge, and attack alongside your traps—interacting with uniquely designed structures that offer different tactical benefits, including:

• Enhanced damage zones
• Faster resource collection
• Enemy path manipulation

A New Direction for Half Past Yellow

After their prior project Spectacle struggled to find a publisher, the team at Half Past Yellow made a bold choice: pivot to a self-funded project that captures their signature aesthetic while branching into a new genre.

With production kicking off in January 2024, Tempest Tower became their new passion project—a fusion of genre experimentation and their distinct animation style.

This move not only marks a fresh direction for the studio but also reflects a growing confidence in their identity as creative indie developers.

Key Features at a Glance

• Tower defense meets action-platforming
• Dual-phase gameplay (Build and Action)
• Dynamic contraptions and strategic structures
• Charming and expressive visual style
• Indie-developed with bouncy animation flair
• Early Access planned for Steam in 2025

Related Reading

For another take on tower defense, see Trolls vs Vikings: Reborn.

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