What's a "tower defense game"?

[Sekani]

See topic... nothing really to add here.

[Kent]

Tower Defense is a type of game where types of objects (usually enemies) travel along either a specific path, or use their own method of pathfinding, to get to a destination. The player places units (typically in the form of towers) between (and sometimes during) each wave of enemies, in order to destroy the enemies before they reach the goal. Depending on the game, these may be rudimentary objects that the player places (e.g. towers) or they may be characters or other units with differing movesets, designed to be placed in strategically-sound locations for maximum efficiency.

[Scrub]

WINTERMAUL, SON.

[HolioArtillery]

Tower Defense is a type of game where types of objects (usually enemies) travel along either a specific path, or use their own method of pathfinding, to get to a destination. The player places units (typically in the form of towers) between (and sometimes during) each wave of enemies, in order to destroy the enemies before they reach the goal. Depending on the game, these may be rudimentary objects that the player places (e.g. towers) or they may be characters or other units with differing movesets, designed to be placed in strategically-sound locations for maximum efficiency.
So it's the shitty FF7 minigame where you try and save the phoenix to get it's summoning materia?

[Kent]

So it's the shitty FF7 minigame where you try and save the phoenix to get it's summoning materia?
Not necessarily. The main thing that defines a "tower defense" game is the fact that your units don't move (or only move a short distance, but always return to the spot at which they were placed).

[Sekani]

What's a good beginner-friendly game to try out, any suggestions?

[Kent]

Download the demo of Crystal Defenders on the Xbox Live Arcade.

[Outrider]

Desktop Tower Defense is a good one, as well.

http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD/Game.asp

[Sekani]

OK, thanks.

[Syl]

Starcraft custom TD maps are always fun, if you feel up for it.

[beatrixkiddo]

Warcraft 3 has lots of custom Tower Defense maps you can play.

Onslaught (it's in the arcade here on PSO-W~) is a good one too.

[Genoa]

I played the hell out of those defense games on Starcraft :3