PCB Defense — TD roguelite where your build IS the meta-progression (browser, free)

Hey r/roguelites,

Just released v1.0 of PCB Defense — a tower-defense roguelite that runs in the browser. I built it solo in vanilla JavaScript + Canvas over a few weeks, no engine, no framework.

**What it is:**

A TD roguelite set on a printed circuit board. You're the BIOS cannon defending a CPU core from waves of electronic hostiles crawling along the traces. Runs are 10–20 minutes. Kill bosses, pick corruption cards, die, come back stronger.

**The meta-progression is the interesting part (imo):**

Most roguelites give you a single meta-currency that upgrades a single tree. PCB Defense splits that across **4 weapons, each with its own separate skill save** (own SP, own unlock path, own 5-branch tree with 32 nodes). And here's the twist — **you don't buy weapons with currency.** You unlock them by reaching Level 30 with the previous one:

BIOS BOLT → LASER → PLASMA → RAIL

Each weapon plays differently on both the pad side and the BIOS core side. So when you unlock a new one, you're not just swapping stats — you're starting a fresh climb with a different identity. It's like a soft second progression curve that starts after your first.

**Run variety:**

- 25 corruption cards that tier up as bosses fall (Mild at first, Extreme once you've proven yourself)

- Boss every 3 levels with adaptive HP (scales off your sustained DPS) + phases + enrage timers

- Weapon-specific offense and utility branches that swap when you equip a new gun

**What I'd love feedback on:**

- Is the unlock-at-Level-30 pacing good? Too fast, too slow, or just right?

- Does dying feel cheap in a good way, or does it still sting?

- Any run-variety suggestions — the corruption pool is the main lever I have right now.

**Play (free, browser, no download):**

https://juba13.itch.io/pcb-defense

Mouse-first controls: left-click to place turrets, right-click to upgrade, ESC to pause. Feedback welcome here or on the itch page. I'll reply to every comment.

Thanks!