Gnomes

Gnomes is a charming and deeply engaging roguelike tower defense game that skillfully blends strategy, farming simulation, and resource management. Players defend a colony of gnomes against waves of goblin attacks by building mazes, managing economy, and deploying unique towers. The game balances preparation with execution, rewarding tactical foresight and experimentation. Procedurally generated maps and a variety of guilds and relics keep each run fresh and encourage diverse strategies.

While the pixel-art graphics are functional and appealing, they are not the game's main draw. The gameplay depth and replayability shine through, with a satisfying challenge that ramps up over time. Some players find the difficulty steep and occasionally reliant on luck, but the overall design encourages learning and adaptation. Lightweight performance and intuitive UI make it accessible, though controller and Steam Deck support could improve. Regular updates and strong community reception highlight its lasting appeal as a standout indie title in the tower defense genre.

Highlights

Players praise Gnomes for its unique blend of tower defense and roguelike mechanics, emphasizing strategic planning and economy management. The procedural generation ensures varied and fresh gameplay each run, while the diverse guilds and relics add depth and replayability.

The game’s humor, charming pixel-art style, and satisfying maze-building mechanics receive consistent commendation. Its intuitive UI and smooth performance on modest hardware make it accessible. Many highlight the rewarding challenge and the ability to discover new synergies even after extended playtime.

Criticisms

Some players feel the game’s difficulty can be unforgiving, with early mistakes snowballing into failure. The reliance on luck in item acquisition and random map layouts occasionally frustrates those seeking more consistent strategies. A few reviews mention the need for better balancing, especially regarding enemy waves and build viability.

While the graphics are charming, they lack visual ambition. Controller and Steam Deck support are noted as underdeveloped, limiting play options. Additionally, some users desire more content variety and longer campaigns to extend engagement beyond the current offerings.