Mainframe Defenders (2020)

Developer: Synthetic Domain
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Genres: Indie, RPG, Strategy
Rating: 4.4 of 5, 783 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 12 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

You lead a squad of mechs through procedurally generated corridors, making careful tactical moves under constant threat of viral hordes.

tacticalretrofuturistictensestrategicminimalistatmosphericpunishing

What players say

Players like the tactical combat and build crafting, comparing it favorably to XCOM and Into The Breach. The main complaint is that missions get repetitive, but many find the game offers good value for its low price.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.