Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Defense Grid: The Awakening

EMAIL PRINT pc

9.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 72 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Hidden Path Entertainment

Developer: Hidden Path Entertainment

Genre(s): Strategy, Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: December 8, 2008

Summary

Defense Grid: The Awakening is a strategy game where players place defense fortifications (towers) to stop invading aliens from stealing power cores from their bases. It is up to the player to select the towers, placement, and timing to best protect the base. This mix of strategy and puzzle gameplay promises to be very fun and engaging. [Hidden Path Entertainment]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GamePro

It's amazing what a little touch up in graphics and sound can do for a tower defense gameplay-based title. And Hidden Path Entertainment's Defense Grid: The Awakening is a prime example of that sudden transformation of taking a unoriginal. well-known style of video game and turning it into a masterpiece for your PC.

Read Full Review >

PC Gamer

Defense Grid's excellent personality and gameplay make it both a great game for experienced tower defense fans and an excellent starting point for new players. [Apr 2009, p.86]

GameFocus

I never would have expected such as basic game as “Tower Defense” to be given such a great make over with some gameplay tweaks and be such a worth while and addictive game. While you can play a very basic version of this type of game on thousands of websites, if you enjoy playing them this is the only commercial one that is worth your gaming dollar.

Read Full Review >

GameShark

In spite of the clunky control, it's still very easy to use, and the action is slow enough to allow you plenty of time to scheme.

Read Full Review >

Gamers' Temple

If you don’t like tower defense games, then Defense Grid won’t change your mind about the genre. However, if you do enjoy the occasional tower game or enjoy strategy games in general, Defense Grid is definitely worth your time.

Read Full Review >

Thunderbolt

A charming little tower defence title with a decent story and challenging gameplay.

Read Full Review >

Gamervision

The later of the 20 unique levels can grow frustratingly difficult, but the amount of replayability due to different challenges and scoreboards are more than enough to justify picking it up, or at least buying it when it eventually makes its way to Xbox Live.

Read Full Review >

IGN

It's always a good sign when a game leaves you wanting for more.

Read Full Review >

GameStar

The time for original concepts and new genres is not over yet. Defense Grid: The Awakening is a highly motivating game, it's not easy, but not unfair and there are always new elements added to the game. There's no story and the controls are not perfect, but the game can still glue you to your chair for days.

Read Full Review >

PC Format

Defense Grid is fun while it lasts, but won't last you very long. [Feb 2009, p.101]

Destructoid

If you like tower defense games and have $20 to spend, Defense Grid: The Awakening is absolutely worth checking out and will provide you with some solid entertainment - just don't expect to get 40 hours of playtime out of it.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 72 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Shnoogle Doogle gave it a9:
Considering the price and what you get, this game is a worthy collection to your hard drive. Some will finish every level and leave. Others will get the most out of it, trying to get high on the Leaderboard (online score board to your friends and rest of the world). This is where the game shines and you soon realize, to be a master of a map takes some thought. Every map looks great and the game play works really well. The "speed up time" button is a worthy addition too. There are some things that still need work. Some of the mod's for the game such as "Grind" (99 levels of continuous spawns) is far too easy and needs to have a major update. Challenge mode (levels on hard) has to be the most fun and getting a high score here or beating friends is what keeps me occupied.

Andrew C gave it a9:
I've been playing lots of tower defense games lately, First Pixel Junk Monsters, then Savage Moon also on the PS3. Now I have Defense Grid for my PC and I'm hooked. The load times are seriously quick, being able to backup a minute or so to correct recent mistakes is genius, the graphics are well done. The only thing I would like to see added is the ability to swivel the camera around the battlefield.

Fergus L gave it a10:
This game is not just tower defense. It comes with an enthralling narrative that most games would struggle to match, never mind one that is based upon an old classic without any sort of story! The game play is highly addictive and leaves you constantly coming back for more. Get it for £3.50 on Steam while you can.

Nate T gave it a10:
I've been waiting for a game like this for a long time. Playing Tower Defense maps in Starcraft was great, but this takes it to the next level. There is a decent balance for all the weapons. I found the first couple levels can be tough until the game unlocks more towers, then it is a blast to play. A nice touch putting in the Challenge mode to really test you.

Herman P gave it a10:
Best game of its type, for $20. For so little money I got so many hours of game play. The variety of towers makes the game and forces you to employ strategy as well as brute force. The aliens walk a path and you either have to pummel them to death or shape their path then pummel them to death. Seriously you will not be going to sleep the first night you get this game...So don't download cause you'll probably get fired from work.

kyleb gave it a9:
Great voice acting in a tower defense game? Well...yes. There is a surprisingly involving narrative that plays out in the course of this game. A disembodied British actor who sounds like he stepped straight out of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" narrates the initial tutorials and gives pointers throughout the game. But gradually you learn whatever this being is, he has suffered great loss at the hands of the little buggers you're mowing down. I found myself playing the game more out of curiosity about the narrator as anything else. Huge props to Hidden Path for adding surprising depth to the game through a deftly written script and excellent voice acting.

Paul F gave it an8:
I played this for a couple of days before completing it. It was very addictive until I completed it. Once you figured out which towers to use, it was quite easy. Some of the towers are pretty useless and I am sure they are just there to add a bit of variety. The graphics are excellent and if you don't mind the price for a couple of days play then it is worth it.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Defense Grid: The Awakening

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases