It was the fifteenth and final wave. Our base was in shambles with only a few percentage points of integrity left, and Arty and Big Willie were laying siege upon it with tဣheir massive weaponry. Crippled from a recent run-in with a swarm of suicidal Blitzers, we piloted our mobile trench toward further danger with little hope of self-preservation. With the sightline clear and just seconds to spare, we slammed down both the left and right triggers, letting out a maniacal yell as all six of our machine guns poured hundreds of bullets into the attackers’ flanks. Finally, our enemies erupted in a beautiful, electrified explosion of blue and white, spewing sparks and scrap in every direction. The words “Wave Completed” flashed across the screen, and though our hearts were still racing and our faces still frozen in deranged desperation, we knew we had held off the last of the monovisions and saved the fuel depot. But what we really cared about was the tiki mask we just looted for our comically macho uber-soldier.

As you can see, Double Fine - the Tim Schafer-headed studio behind Stacking and Costume Quest - has produced a very intense, action-oriented title. It could be touted as a tower defense game, but that would be a disservice to the blend of RPG, RTS, and third-person shooter elements that are just as prevalent. It’s like noth𓆏ing we’ve seen before from Double Fine, but if you’re worried that the emphasis on guns and explosions might replace the humor and charm the developer is famous for, you should know that your marine often celebrates victory by lighting his cigar with the muzzle flash from his sidearm. Enough said.

Above: A smattering of classic Double Fine humor