Orcs Must Die! 3 Cold as Eyes DLC expands the core action strategy experience with a focus on icy battlegrounds and a new enemy faction. Players take on the role of Warmages who combine trap placement with direct combat to stop advancing hordes. The DLC introduces Cyclopean units that bring fresh mechanics to the mix, including healing effects on death and specialized abilities that disrupt standard defenses.
Gameplay
The gameplay centers on defending key points against waves of enemies by positioning traps and using weapons in real time. Warmages move through the maps to set up defenses while engaging foes directly. The addition of the Flamethrower provides a new option for area damage with a secondary breath attack that burns groups of targets. The Molten Gold trap coats enemies in gold, sometimes causing them to drop special coins upon defeat. The Cyclopean Gaze trinket allows players to turn both themselves and enemies to stone for tactical advantages during fights.
Cyclopean enemies introduce specific counters to existing strategies. The Cyclopean Shaman deploys totems that disable traps, forcing players to adapt their layouts. The Cyclopean Mesmerizer tracks Warmages with an arcane ray that requires constant movement or interruption. Medium and Heavy variants bolster the ranks with increased durability, while the overall race heals nearby allies when individual units fall. These elements shift the emphasis toward managing both crowd control and priority targets in icy environments.
Game Modes
Three new scenarios appear across Campaign, Endless, and Scramble Modes. Campaign scenarios follow a structured progression through the new icy maps. Endless Mode lets players face continuous waves on the same layouts for high-score attempts. Scramble Mode incorporates new buffs and debuffs that alter trap effects, enemy behavior, and player abilities on each run.
The maps support the full range of these modes without requiring separate unlocks. Players can test trap combinations and weapon loadouts in shorter Scramble sessions or commit to longer Endless runs against the Cyclopean forces.
New Content Additions
The DLC brings a complete new race with tailored enemies and supporting tools. Cyclopean units operate as a cohesive group where deaths trigger healing for survivors. Specific enemy types add layers of challenge through totem placement, tracking rays, and heavier frontline presence. The new trap, weapon, and trinket integrate directly into existing loadouts to counter these threats or exploit new opportunities like gold drops.
- Molten Gold Trap: Coats enemies and offers coin rewards
- Flamethrower: Primary fire with burning secondary attack
- Cyclopean Gaze Trinket: Stone transformation for players and foes
Is It Worth Playing?
This DLC suits players who enjoy refining trap setups and adapting to enemy counters in short to medium sessions. The three maps deliver variety through their icy themes and the Cyclopean mechanics that reward careful positioning and quick reactions. Those who prefer experimenting with new tools in Campaign progression or pushing Endless scores will find direct value in the added scenarios and Scramble variations. The content focuses on immediate tactical changes rather than broad overhauls, making it a targeted expansion for the base game's systems.
