DG2: Defense Grid 2 Reviews
Though not perfect, Defense Grid 2 presents one of the best tower defence options on the Japanese giant's shiny black box. It has everything that a fan of the genre could want, loads of modes, challenges, and, at its core, is just plain fun. The back and forth between the excellently voiced characters is entertaining, even if the narrative is messy and the excellent dynamic maps are few and far between. Those willing to overlook these few flaws, though, are in for a good time.
Defense Grid 2 has some issues, but ultimately pushes the tower defense genre forward by delivering loads of fun with a quirky co-op story mode campaign and solid online competitive multiplayer modes for a great price.
Defense Grid 2 is a fairly typical Tower Defense game at its core, but the layers of complexity give it a lot more staying power and replay value than you are likely accustomed to. With 21 campaign levels, and plans to offer countless more as downloads, there is no end to how much time you can spend with DG2, and that's not even counting fighting for placement on the leaderboards... or multiplayer. DG2 is a shining example of Kickstarter done right.
While it doesn't reinvigorate the tower defense world quite like Defense Grid: The Awakening did, the tweaks it does offer are interesting enough to pull in
It's the sustained snacking aspect of Defense Grid 2's many modes and weapon options, rather than the intended banquet that is its campaign, that'll keep your belly full.
Hidden Path Entertainment's strategy game is polished, sophisticated, incredibly deep, and tons of fun
Defense Grid 2 offers tight strategic gameplay with a wealth of options and a story that's much better than it needs to be.
Defense Grid 2 may not be the most original idea, and lacks any real character in its story and presentation, but it is the unique gameplay ideas that make it a success. Hidden Path have tried to inject a few new tweaks and provide a twist on your expected tower defense conventions, and they all add enjoyment and streamline your experience. Yes, it may lack depth with the lack of skill trees for your towers, and there is little variety in the enemies which you are constantly mowing down, but the lack of complexity allows it to be an easy title to jump in and out of with a friend, and kick some alien behind.
Defense Grid 2 is an enjoyable return to Hidden Path's dystopian future, though whilst the sequel features a number of improvements some key features of the original, in particular the engaging story, have been lost along the way. For fans of the genre it's still an essential entry on PC and console, with hours of content and plenty of replayability, all wrapped up in a high quality package.
While Defense Grid 2 does offer quite a few different options and plenty of gameplay for the cost of admission, players might find themselves a little bored with the action after they excel beyond a certain point of the game.
As someone that simply waits and arranges the location of towers, I felt as if I was incidental. Any other character in the game could just as easily have replaced me, and the plot would remain largely the same. Still, there's something special about waiting. About that patience. As I saw wave after wave of alien soldiers ground to shreds by my turrets, I was sad. I wasn't out for blood. I wasn't revelling in the destruction of my enemies. I was defending myself. I was waiting.
Defense Grid 2 isn't just another tower defense game, it's the best tower defense game.
Defense Grid 2 is just as addictive as 2008's Defense Grid: Awakening, but lacks the original's surprising heart.