The White Laboratory
" Innovative indie strategy with modular robotic building and tactical depth but unstable physics "
The White Laboratory Review
The White Laboratory offers a unique blend of tower defense and RTS gameplay, allowing players to build custom towers and units from enemy parts. The game is praised for its innovative concept and sleek, futuristic visual style, with a clean, minimalistic aesthetic and satisfying animations. Players enjoy the strategic depth from managing tower construction and offensive units across large maps, as well as the creative freedom in designing flying machines and turrets.
However, the game is hampered by several technical and design issues. The physics engine, while central to gameplay, is often described as "wonky" or "janky," causing structures to wobble, clip, or break unpredictably, which frustrates building and combat. Controls and camera angles are limited and sometimes clunky, making precise construction and unit management difficult. The campaign is notably short, with only a few levels and limited content, leaving players wishing for more variety and replayability. Frequent crashes and some bugs also detract from the experience. Overall, it’s a creative but flawed game best suited for players who appreciate niche, physics-based strategy titles and are tolerant of imperfections.
Highlights
Most praised aspects include the innovative gameplay mechanics that merge tower defense with RTS elements, allowing players to build and customize towers and vehicles from fallen enemies.
The game's graphics receive positive remarks for their clean, futuristic, and minimalistic style that fits the sci-fi theme. The animations and overall aesthetic are described as polished and visually appealing.
The storyline and progression through the campaign, although short, are appreciated for introducing new mechanics gradually and encouraging strategic creativity. The unique concept and strategic depth stand out as major strengths.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the physics system, which is often too flexible and unstable, causing towers and units to wobble, clip, or break apart unexpectedly.
Players find the controls and camera angles restrictive and sometimes frustrating, limiting building options and precise unit management.
The campaign is considered too short with limited content, lacking variety and replayability. Frequent crashes, bugs, and performance issues further hinder the experience. Some players also note that the game lacks a level editor or mod support, which would greatly enhance longevity.
Pros
- • Innovative fusion of tower defense and RTS gameplay mechanics.
- • Creative freedom to build custom towers and flying units from enemy parts.
- • Clean, futuristic, and minimalistic visual style with polished animations.
- • Gradual introduction of mechanics that encourages strategic depth.
- • Unique concept that stands out in the tower defense genre.
- • Runs well on low to mid-spec PCs with good optimization.
- • Engaging tug-of-war style gameplay across multiple map zones.
Cons
- • Physics engine is unstable, causing structures to wobble and break.
- • Controls and camera angles are limited and sometimes clunky.
- • Campaign is short with only a few levels and limited content.
- • Frequent crashes and bugs disrupt gameplay and cause save corruption.
- • Building process can be tedious and frustrating due to snapping issues.
- • Lack of level editor or mod support limits replayability.
- • Units and towers can be difficult to manage during busy combat.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The White Laboratory released?
The White Laboratory was released on March 28, 2019.
Who developed The White Laboratory?
The White Laboratory was developed by Laboratory Systems.
Is The White Laboratory available on Mac?
No, The White Laboratory is not currently available on Mac according to our data.
Is The White Laboratory available on Linux?
No, The White Laboratory is not currently available on Linux according to our data.
Where can I buy The White Laboratory?
You can buy The White Laboratory on Steam.
Game Details
The White Laboratory is a sandbox style physics-based tower defense and RTS game in which you modularly build and command robotic structures. Use them to defend against or conquer other disobedient mechanical blocks on a facility floating in the atmosphere of a remote gas planet.