Hold the Line is a tower defence prototype, developed over the course of four weeks in Unreal Engine. My goal was to create a fast-paced, frenetic experience by combining a limited map size with high enemy density and rapid-fire towers. The player’s defensive strategy is split between using both towers and fortifications: towers are permanent attacking units that must be purchased, while fortifications are free yet expendable and time-gated utilities intended to slow or hinder the enemy advance.

Fortifications help maintain the game’s fast pace by giving the player the means to constantly improve their defences and respond rapidly to enemy threats. I wanted the player to always have something they could throw at the enemy. The experience I most wanted to avoid was where the player would sit and watch their strategy play out, rather than be an active participant making changes every second and exerting control over the battlefield.