******************************************************************************* PIXELJUNK MONSTERS - PLAYSTATION 3 FAQ Version 0.35 (2008-01-31) by PsiPab ******************************************************************************* Hello and welcome to my FAQ for PixelJunk Monsters on the PlayStation 3. I created this guide because a) I like the game a lot and b) there was nothing else at the time of making it. It's my first, and quite probably last, attempt at making a FAQ so I hope you'll find it a useful aid to this great game! Please note that this FAQ doesn't include all levels yet. It currently covers all levels up to and including Medium 1. I just figured it was best to get it up as soon as possible, as I know a lot of people, myself included, have found even the "Easy" levels to be quite a challenge. ******************************************************************************* Contents ******************************************************************************* 1. About the game 2. Levels 2a. Tutorial 2b. Easy 1 2c. Easy 2 2d. Easy 3 2e. Easy 4 2f. Special 1 2g. Medium 1 3. Tower Types 3a. Arrow Tower 3b. Cannon Tower 3c. Anti-Air Gun Tower 3d. Ice Tower 3e. Laser Tower 3f. Tesla Tower 3g. Fire Tower 3h. Mortar Tower 3i. Hive Tower 4. FAQACAS 5. Credits/Contact 6. Version History 7. Distribution/Copyright ******************************************************************************* 1. About the game ******************************************************************************* PixelJunk Monsters is a PlayStation 3 game developed by Q-Games and available exclusively through the PlayStation Store. It falls into the "tower defense" genre, in which you try to defend your base by building towers to defeat waves of monsters. The game features 20 levels, nice hi-res graphics, a well executed co-op mode and online high score tables. ******************************************************************************* 2. Levels ******************************************************************************* Screenshots of the levels are available on my PixelJunk Monsters page: http://psipab.googlepages.com/pixeljunkmonsters - In the "Monster Type" column, a plus symbol means that the monsters in that wave are shielded. - Spawn locations are shown in brackets in the "Pattern" column. They are shown by their approximate position on the screen, with horizontal (L = left, M = middle, R = right) followed by vertical (B = bottom, M = middle, T = top). - In the "Pattern" column, a plus symbol denotes multiple sets of monsters in one wave at or close to the same time. A comma denotes multiple sets of monsters in one wave but seperated by a few seconds or more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2a. Tutorial "Learn how to play." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just a nice simple introduction to the game and how it's played. You can't really go wrong. Included here for the sake of completeness! Coins: 100 (solo), 100/100 (co-op) Spawn: Left bottom (all) Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Ant | 1(LB) 2 | Ant | 2(LB) 3 | Ant | 3(LB) 4 | Spider | 2(LB) 5 | Bee | 4(LB) 6 | Bee | 6(LB) 7 | Bee | 7(LB) 8 | Ant | 7(LB) 9 | Spider | 7(LB) 10 | Golem | 1(LB) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2b. Easy 1 "The waves begin." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looks easy and well defensible but beware the high number of monsters you'll be facing, especially considering it's the first proper level. A good place to get a feel for the different tower types and how upgrades effect them. Coins: 340 (solo), 250/250 (co-op) Spawn: Left top (all) Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Ant | 10(LT) 2 | Spider | 14(LT) 3 | Ant | 23(LT) 4 | Golem | 4(LT) 5 | Bee | 12(LT) 6 | Spider | 22(LT) 7 | Bee | 15(LT) 8 | Ant | 30(LT) 9 | Golem | 15(LT) 10 | Boss | 1(LT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2c. Easy 2 "Power play." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your first taste of multiple pathways. Hit them as fast and as hard as possible on the parts the monsters are forced to pass before you build defenses where they may or may not travel. Coins: 340 (solo), 250/250 (co-op) Spawn: Left middle (all) Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Ant | 9(LM) 2 | Spider | 11(LM) 3 | Ant | 16(LM) 4 | Golem | 4(LM) 5 | Spider | 16(LM) 6 | Bee | 10(LM) 7 | Bee | 15(LM) 8 | Ant | 30(LM) 9 | Golem | 10(LM) 10 | Boss | 1(LM) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2d. Easy 3 "Prudence is key." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monsters don't drop coins on this level so you've got to spend wisely. The map is one long path to your base, with monsters going off the screen before reappearing on the other side. Don't neglect air defenses here, as you'll be facing 3 waves of bees. Coins: 2000 (solo), 1000/1000 (co-op) Spawn: Right middle (all) Message: "Monsters have no coins here! Do what you can with your initial funds!" Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Bee | 10(RM) 2 | Ant | 15(RM) 3 | Golem | 5(RM),5(RM) 4 | Spider | 15(RM) 5 | Bee | 14(RM) 6 | Golem | 15(RM) 7 | Bee | 15(RM) 8 | Ant | 19(RM) 9 | Spider | 10(RM),10(RM) 10 | Boss | 1(RM) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2e. Easy 4 "Hold the line." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another map with split paths, this one forms a large "X" pattern. For most levels I wouldn't recommend concentrating on base defense, but here it can really work, as the area leading up to the base is the only one that the monsters always pass through. Coins: 340 (solo), 250/250 (co-op) Spawn: Left top, left bottom Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Ant | 11(LT) 2 | Spider | 11(LB) 3 | Ant | 16(LT)+6(LB) 4 | Golem | 4(LB) 5 | Spider | 4(LT)+15(LB) 6 | Bee | 10(LT) 7 | Ant | 12(LT)+17(LB) 8 | Bee | 10(LT)+6(LB) 9 | Golem | 5(LT)+6(LB) 10 | Boss | 1(LB) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2f. Special 1 "From all sides." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monsters pour in from just about every opening you can see at some point on this map! However, it's not as hard as it looks, because with the exception of the boss all 20 waves are just spiders. This means you can get away with nothing but arrow towers. Start building close to your base as and work outwards, with a focus towards the bottom half as that's where your flock is and most spawns are from. Coins: 500 (solo), 370/370 (co-op) Spawn: All around! Message: "They're all the same! This stage is filled with all the same type of monster." Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Spider | 9(LM) 2 | Spider | 10(RB) 3 | Spider | 13(LB) 4 | Spider | 12(RB) 5 | Spider | 15(LB) 6 | Spider | 5(LB),11(LB) 7 | Spider | 12(RB),6(RB) 8 | Spider | 5(LT),4(LT),9(LT) 9 | Spider | 18(RB) 10 | Spider | 21(LB) 11 | Spider | 7(RB)+5(MT),2(MT)+8(RB) 12 | Spider | 3(LT),10(LB)+4(LT) 13 | Spider | 21(RB) 14 | Spider | 11(LB),7(RT),3(RB) 15 | Spider | 12(RB),3(RM),5(RB),3(RB) 16 | Spider | 20(RB) 17 | Spider | 19(MB),4(RB) 18 | Spider | 5(LT),15(LB),5(LT) 19 | Spider | 25(All) 20 | Boss | 1(LM) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2g. Medium 1 "Short cut." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This map has a painful, if obvious, twist. From wave 13 onwards, some of the monsters in each wave will take the short route to your base. They can be stopped easily however, as they turn back if damaged by one of your towers. This level also introduces you to a shielded monster for the first time, so consider saving up gems to unlock fire towers which can take them down with ease. Coins: 500 (solo), 370/370 (co-op) Spawn: Left middle (all) Wave | Monster Type | Pattern ---------------------------------------------------- 1 | Ant | 10(LM) 2 | Spider | 10(LM) 3 | Golem | 6(LM) 4 | Spider | 14(LM) 5 | Bee | 10(LM) 6 | Spider | 20(LM) 7 | Bee | 15(LM) 8 | Ant | 20(LM) 9 | Golem | 7(LM),3(LM) 10 | Bats | 10(LM) 11 | Ant | 25(LM) 12 | Ant+ | 6(LM) 13*| Spider | 20(LM) 14*| Bats | 15(LM) 15*| Bee | 20(LM) 16*| Ant+ | 10(LM) 17*| Bats | 20(LM) 18*| Golem | 16(LM),4(LM) 19*| Ant+ | 15(LM) 20*| Boss | 1(LM) * Some monsters from these waves will take the short path downwards. They turn back around when injured. ******************************************************************************* 3. Tower Types ******************************************************************************* There are 9 types of tower to choose from, each with different strengths, weaknesses and costs. Getting to know these differences is essential for doing well in the game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3a. Arrow Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "An all-round tower which can attack ground and air monsters." Unlock: Free Power: * Speed: * Range: ** Spread: - Cost: 100 Type: All ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3b. Cannon Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Fires a cannonball which affects all monsters near point of impact." Unlock: Free Power: ** Speed: * Range: * Spread: ** Cost: 120 Coins Type: Ground ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3c. Anti-Air Gun Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A rapid-fire tower which targets only flying monsters." Unlock: Free Power: * Speed: *** Range: *** Spread: - Cost: 150 Coins Type: Air ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3d. Ice Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A burst of freezing air is fired to slow down monsters." Unlock: 9 Gems Power: * Speed: * Range: ** Spread: * Cost: 200 Coins Type: Ground ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3e. Laser Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Shoots at airborne monsters with powerful laser beams." Unlock: 11 Gems Power: ** Speed: * Range: *** Spread: - Cost: 300 Coins Type: Air ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3f. Tesla Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Releases a high-power electrical attack on all nearby monsters." Unlock: 12 Gems Power: **** Speed: * Range: * Spread: - Cost: 300 Coins Type: Ground ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3g. Fire Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Fires a powerful flaming stream to hurth multiple monsters." Unlock: 13 Gems Power: **** Speed: * Range: ** Spread: *** Cost: 350 Coins Type: Ground ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3h. Mortar Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "One powerful hit affects many monsters with a wide spread." Unlock: 15 Gems Power: **** Speed: * Range: *** Spread: **** Cost: 400 Coins Type: Ground ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3i. Hive Tower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Creatures launch from the hive, targeting monsters from the air." Unlock: 14 Gems Power: * Speed: ** Range: ***** Spread: - Cost: 450 Coins Type: All ******************************************************************************* 4. FAQACAS (Frequently asked questions and comments and stuff) ******************************************************************************* Q. Why do some levels on the world map have a rainbow over them? A. A rainbow indicates that you've completed that level perfectly. Q. Why do some levels on the world map have dots around them? A. Dots indicate there is something special about the level. For instance, on Easy 3 the monsters don't drop any coins. Q. Why do some levels on the world map have trees on them? A. Trees indicate that you've completed that level. Q. How many levels does this game have? A. There are 20 levels in total, comprised of 1 tutorial, 4 easy, 6 medium, 5 hard and 4 special levels. Q. How much does this game cost? A. The game costs USD 7.99 in the US and GBP 3.49 in the UK. It's nice that us Brits get the lower price for once. Either way, it's a bargain. Q. Can the game be played online? A. No, the co-op mode is offline only. The only online feature is the leaderboards. Q. Can the game be played through remote play on a PSP? A. Yes, it fully supports this. Naturally the graphics aren't as crisp and you may experience some lag but it's pretty neat nonetheless. Q. Who made the music in this game? A. The music and sound is original work by Japanese ambient techno group Otograph. Q. Are there more games like this? A. Yes, as the game is based on the well-established tower defense genre. Search Google for "tower defense" and you'll find other examples, most of which are free to play in your web browser. Q. Are you actually any good at this game? A. I'm just an average skilled player who enjoys the game. That's why this guide isn't a step-by-step walkthrough but is more of a detailed reference, with tips to help people who are stuck. Q. Are your monster names correct? A. I haven't been able to find any official names for the different monsters so I made them up based on how they looked and moved. If you know better, please let me know and I'll change them! ******************************************************************************* 5. Credits/Contact ******************************************************************************* This guide was written by Paul Wolfenden (PsiPab). A lot of the credit for the level breakdowns goes to my wife Donna (Teews), who played the game repeatedly with me in co-op mode while counting monsters. Not an easy task at times so a big thanks to her for all the help! If you want to contact me with suggestions, corrections or comments on the guide, send an email to pab [at] pabuk [dot] com. ******************************************************************************* 6. Version history ******************************************************************************* 0.35 (2008-01-31): First release completed. All levels up to medium 1 detailed, all tower types listed, FAQACAS started. 0.00 (2008-01-29): Started writing guide The latest version of this guide can always be found at: http://psipab.googlepages.com/pixeljunkmonsters ******************************************************************************* 7. Distribution/Copyright ******************************************************************************* You are permitted to reproduce this document for personal, private use only. You are permitted to distribute this document as long as it is provided complete and unchanged. Copyright 2008 Paul Wolfenden