A surprising amount of thematic 'flavour' packed into such a simple core mechanism.. I've been looking for a simple pen and paper tower defence game for a long time.. This fits the bill perfectly! What I wasn't expecting was the level of tension and storytelling that comes with little box rooms and little box monsters! Can't recommend this game enough!
Really impressed you've managed to create so much with so little! ... I've created a little variant whereby instead of separate 'stamina/strength' for the sanctum, I cross off squares (of my choice) in any of the rooms.. once all squares in that room are crossed off I lose the power associated with that room.. Makes it even tougher!.. But it adds a level of tactical decision making that just adds to the fun!
Great! I tested this option while developing the game initially, but it seemed too tough in some playthroughs, especially towards the end. But I absolutely love that you houseruled it to this tough difficulty and that it works for you, and it adds realism to that as well. Maybe, I will add it to the rules as another difficulty option at some point. Thank you for this inspiring comment! Do you have a favorite room? I always feel nice when I use the Obsidram to deal a lot of damage, but probably in a narrative sense I like to take up arms with my guardian in the field the most:))
Oh it's absolutely brutal! Haha! But it's such an addictive little game and so easy to fire up a new sanctum (I enjoy doing that in itself and trying different strengths for different rooms)
I'd say the armoury too, like sending the guardian out to do his duty!! .. But I also enjoy getting the Palisades up and running early, before I then take damage and lose 1 ballista after the next (through crossing them out as damage)
I've not tried your expansion yet with the guard dog/statue thing!! .. Think I'd get too attached to the pup! Lol!