Lock's Quest
Lock's Quest is a real-time strategy tower defense video game originally developed by 5th Cell and published by THQ for the Nintendo DS, released on September 8, 2008.[1] In the game, players control Lock, a young apprentice Archineer (a builder and inventor), who must defend human territories from waves of invading robotic enemies known as the Clockwork Army by constructing traps, turrets, walls, and other defenses in real time while also engaging in direct combat.[1] The story follows Lock as his coastal village is attacked, leading him on a quest to locate his missing sister Emi and halt the mechanical invasion led by the villainous Lord Agony, unfolding across approximately 100 days of sequential battles on varied maps.[2][3] The gameplay hybridizes tower defense with action RPG elements, allowing players to place buildable structures using resources earned from defeating enemies, command NPC allies during sieges, and level up Lock's abilities through experience points for enhanced attacks like energy blasts or area-of-effect strikes.[1] Each day consists of defensive phases where waves of Clockworks assault fixed points, interspersed with exploratory segments for resource gathering and story progression, emphasizing strategic placement and tactical combat over the Nintendo DS's dual screens.[3] The game received positive critical reception for its innovative mechanics and engaging narrative, earning an aggregate score of 80 on Metacritic, praised for blending genres in a way that appealed to both strategy enthusiasts and casual players.[1] It also features a journal system to track builds for replayability after completing the campaign.[2] A remastered version of Lock's Quest, developed by Digital Continue and published by THQ Nordic, was released on May 30, 2017, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC, with later ports to iOS and Android.[4][5] This edition expands the campaign to 75 days across 12 unique maps, introduces a new progression system for unlocking turrets tied to story milestones, adds exclusive "Antonia Defense Battles" with an Endless Mode variant, and includes high-definition visuals, remastered orchestral music, updated user interface, and controller-optimized controls.[4][6] The remaster preserves the core hybrid gameplay while enhancing accessibility and content, making it available to a broader audience beyond the original handheld format.[7]Overview
Concept and genre
Lock's Quest is a hybrid video game that blends elements of real-time strategy, tower defense, and action-RPG genres, where players assume the role of a young Archineer named Lock tasked with constructing defenses and engaging in combat to protect a kingdom from mechanical invaders.[8][9] In this steampunk-inspired world, Lock utilizes his architectural and engineering abilities to build walls, turrets, and traps using modular pieces, while directly participating in battles against the clockwork horde led by Lord Agony.[10][1] The game's design draws inspiration from classic strategy titles such as Advance Wars for its tactical depth and unit management, as well as tower defense mechanics from games like Rampart, emphasizing the interplay of construction and combat to repel waves of enemies.[8][10] This fusion creates a unique "construction combat" loop, where players alternate between preparation phases for fortification and real-time skirmishes. The single-player campaign unfolds over 100 days of escalating warfare across approximately 20 distinct maps, each presenting new environmental challenges and defensive opportunities.[3] Creative director Jeremiah Slaczka of 5th Cell envisioned Lock's Quest as an innovative showcase for the Nintendo DS's capabilities, integrating touch-screen controls via the stylus for intuitive building, repairing structures, and executing mini-game-based actions during combat.[8][10] This approach allows for bite-sized sessions of 5-10 minutes, balancing narrative progression with hands-on gameplay to deliver a deep, engaging experience that evolves traditional tower defense into a more dynamic adventure.[8]Platforms and releases
Lock's Quest was initially released for the Nintendo DS by publisher THQ.[11] The game launched in North America on September 8, 2008, followed by Australia on September 25, 2008, and Europe on September 26, 2008.[12][13] In 2017, a remastered version developed by Digital Continue was released simultaneously on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows (via Steam) on May 30, published by THQ Nordic.[4][6] A mobile port for iOS and Android followed on September 26, 2019, published by HandyGames.[14][15] To promote the original DS release, THQ debuted a mini-comic titled Lock's Quest: A Source of Hope at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2008.[16] Additionally, 5th Cell ran a sweepstakes contest starting in September 2008, where players could submit in-game scores via the official website for a chance to win a custom gunmetal gray Nintendo DS Lite edition themed after the game.[17] THQ Australia held a similar promotion in October 2008, offering prizes including a custom DS Lite.[18]| Platform | Release Date | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo DS (North America) | September 8, 2008 | THQ |
| Nintendo DS (Australia) | September 25, 2008 | THQ |
| Nintendo DS (Europe) | September 26, 2008 | THQ |
| PlayStation 4 | May 30, 2017 | THQ Nordic |
| Xbox One | May 30, 2017 | THQ Nordic |
| Microsoft Windows (Steam) | May 30, 2017 | THQ Nordic |
| iOS | September 26, 2019 | HandyGames |
| Android | September 26, 2019 | HandyGames |