ShapeHero Factory blends tower defense with factory-building mechanics

ShapeHero Factory, currently in Early Access on PC, is a dynamic hybrid of tower defense and factory-building genres that emphasizes strategy, adaptability, and repetition. The game invites players to create tools of war in a factory setting, utilizing a unique blend of roguelite elements and strategic planning. As you craft units, heroes, and spells, the goal is to defend against increasingly powerful enemies and bosses in a battle phase, where everything you’ve created comes to fruition.

The game’s prep phase is centered around the “Scroll,” a factory that you expand and modify by placing production resources like Minions, Conveyor Belts, and Canvases, all fueled by Mana. This section, where the player builds the tools needed to fight back, requires careful layout planning. Everything within the factory is randomly generated, meaning no two runs are the same. Over time, the complexity increases, and recipes require more intricate combinations of resources, demanding constant adaptation. A timer counts down until the battle phase begins, adding a sense of urgency to the design process.

During the battle phase, the units and heroes you’ve built automatically defend the central Gate from waves of shadowy enemies. However, manual intervention is also needed, where you click on enemies to deal damage. Each playable class, such as the Minion Master, offers distinct gameplay features, and upgrades can improve your offensive capabilities.

ShapeHero Factory also incorporates significant roguelite elements. Losing a run doesn’t send you back to square one entirely. Instead, you earn a currency that unlocks permanent boons to ease future runs. These include upgraded Mana generation or enhanced unit abilities. As you progress, you unlock more paths and rewards, allowing for strategic decisions that shape the direction of your game.