Nanuleu takes you back to your roots – literally. In this minimalist tower defence game, you grow a giant forest to fight off hordes of enemies.
The action takes place on a tiled screen. Tap a tile to build a tree or root. Act fast, because your enemy’s base is constantly expanding across the map, surrounding your forest with darkness and sending frightening shadow soldiers your way.
Plant seeds to grow trees of different classes. Start with one, then gradually spread outwards, creating an elaborate defensive system connected by roots. Mineral, Water and Light trees help grow your resources, while Protector trees shoot at enemy units from a distance. War trees take the fight to the enemy’s base, ideally destroying the threat for good.
Since it costs resources to grow new trees, you have to prioritise strategically. Do you generate more minerals and water to build towers quickly? Focus on firepower? Should you enact a sturdy defence or engage enemies more directly?
Where you build matters as well. You can only create resource trees on designated tiles, and there are a limited number of them spread across the map. And the farther away you plant a new tree from your root system, the more it costs. Enemies can take out long tendrils of exposed roots with one shot; expand too greedily and the whole system may suffer.
Nanuleu’s understated graphics and meditative soundtrack match its organic theme, but don’t let that fool you. It takes a great mind – and strong roots – to keep this mighty forest standing.