How to play Space Defenders
Space Defenders is an arcade game in which rows of invaders march slowly down the screen towards you. You slide your cannon left and right along the bottom and fire upwards to stop them. Clear every invader to win the wave, before they reach the ground.
Step by step
Meet the invaders
Rows of invaders appear at the top. They move from side to side and step down each time they reach an edge.
Move your cannon
Slide your cannon left and right along the bottom of the screen.
Fire upwards
Tap fire to shoot. Each hit removes an invader and adds to your score.
Dodge their shots
Invaders drop shots of their own. If one hits your cannon, you lose a life.
Hide behind shields
Shields near the bottom block shots, but they wear away as they are hit.
Clear the wave
Destroy every invader to finish the wave. The next wave starts a little lower, with fresh shields.
The full rules
What you need
Space Defenders can be played on a phone, tablet or computer. On a touch screen, use the on-screen buttons to move and fire. On a computer, use the left and right arrow keys (or A and D) to move and the space bar to fire.
The aim
Stop the invaders before they reach the ground. Shoot every invader in a wave to clear it and move on to the next. Score as many points as you can.
How the invaders move
The invaders start in neat rows near the top of the screen. The whole group moves sideways together. When it reaches the edge of the screen, it drops down one step and starts moving the other way.
As you shoot invaders, the rest speed up. The last few in a wave move noticeably faster than at the start.
From time to time, invaders drop shots towards you.
Your cannon
Your cannon sits at the bottom of the screen. It can move left and right, but not up or down.
- Move with the arrow buttons or keys.
- Fire with the fire button or the space bar. Your shot travels straight up.
You can have up to two shots on screen at once, with a short pause between shots, so make each one count. Your shot can also knock an invader’s shot out of the air.
On a touch screen, auto-fire is switched on at first: your cannon fires by itself, so you only need to steer. You can turn it on or off in Settings.
Shields
Four shields sit between you and the invaders. They block shots from both sides. Each hit takes a small chunk out of them, so over time they wear away. Invaders that march into a shield wear it away too. Use them as cover while you wait for a good moment to fire. The shields are rebuilt at the start of every wave.
Lives and the end of the game
If an invader’s shot hits your cannon, you lose a life, and play stops for a moment so you can get ready again. You start with three lives and earn one extra life at 1,500 points. The game is over when:
- you lose your last life, or
- the invaders reach the bottom of the screen.
Scoring
Each invader you hit scores points: 30 for the top row, 20 for the next two rows and 10 for the bottom two rows. A bonus ship sometimes flies across the very top of the screen; hitting it scores 100 points.
Speed and pausing
There are three speeds: Slow (the starting choice), Normal and Fast. Faster speeds make everything move more quickly and let the invaders drop shots more often. Slow is ideal for learning and relaxed play. You can pause at any moment with the pause button or the P key, and everything freezes until you carry on. The game also pauses by itself if you switch to another tab or app.
Tips for beginners
- Clear the edges first. Taking out the outer columns means the group takes longer to reach the edge and step down.
- Thin out the bottom rows. The lowest invaders are the closest threat.
- Stay mobile. Keep moving, so shots aimed at you miss.
- Use your shields wisely. Fire from just beside a shield, then duck back behind it.
- Watch the top. When the bonus ship appears, a quick shot can earn a lot of points.
- Do not panic at the end. The last invader moves fast; aim ahead of it and wait for it to come to you.
Common questions
Why do the invaders speed up?
In this style of game, the fewer invaders that are left, the faster they move. The last few can be quick, so take your time aiming.
How many lives do I have?
You start with three lives. You earn one extra life when your score first reaches 1,500 points.
What is the ship that flies across the top?
Now and then a bonus ship crosses the top of the screen. Hit it for 100 extra points.
Can I shoot through my own shields?
Yes. Your shots wear holes in the shields just as the invaders' shots do, so try not to destroy your own cover.
Where it comes from
Space shooting games, where the player defends the ground against waves of attackers, were among the first great arcade hits of the late 1970s. They helped to make video game arcades popular around the world. Many games since have used the same simple idea of a cannon at the bottom of the screen and rows of enemies above.
