It was previously reported, I've fixed it locally but I don't want to do another upload before the game actually launches. Also found and fixed a bug where it wasn't saving what level you were up to, and did a *lot* of optimisations that make it run like a dream. The final version's almost finished, just got to tweak the balancing a little more, put together the last of the maps and see what I can do about your suggestions before. Appreciate all your feedback. :)
Guys there is a newer version uploaded. I'm not sure if it addresses all the issues you've encountered but try it:
http://www.kongregate.com/games/5minutesoff/the-horde-2-0-beta-2
The 'grid' is the 9 x 9 cell playing grid where the numbers are entered or displayed. The background is just that - a white box in the background. Make sure you download the source so you can look in the FLA too.
happy - you might want to start with some inroductory flash tutorials. This assumes that you've spent a bit of time familiarising yourself with flash and have a general understanding of it. Here's some great sites that can help you - www.flashkit.com and www.actionscript.org.
willt - I've just done an upload that reduces the gold on monsters / damages on towers, should even things out a little better than before. You're right, there should be better upgrades and unlocks from the workshop / lab, I'll put that on my list, maybe some of the higher-level towers need to be researched first etc.
At the moment it randomly selects the path for each monster from the available routes. I don't know if I'll keep it like that, it helps mix up the monsters a bit but it can uneven it.
Thanks for all your feedback too.
123bee - check out the sudoku tutorial in my profile so you can make your game generate puzzles instead of having to upload each individual puzzle as a seperate game.
darkblade why you got to be such a troll? You had a tantrum in my game, now you're doing it to this guy too? Nobody on Kongregate owes you anything, you don't have to like what we make but you don't have to be a dick about it either.
This game's for grownups Tim, it's never going to be like Bloons. Bloons is for younger people who get more pleasure from watching the balloons pop then they do from playing the game itself.
 "The Horde 2.0 (BETA 2)"){kind=icon}
 "The Horde 2.0 (BETA)"){kind=icon}
 "Learn how to create Sudoku in Flash AS3"){kind=icon}
 "Sudoku Game Play - 105"){kind=icon}
 "Orbital Decay"){kind=icon}