Defense Grid: The Awakening

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 289 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 239 out of 289
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 289
  3. Negative: 9 out of 289
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  1. CrossheadMarhok
    Jan 2, 2009
    10
    Sehr spaßiges Spiel mit Suchtfaktor, gerade wenn der Schwierigkeitsgrad steigt und die letzten Level nahen.
    Logisch Denken zu können ist eine Voraussetzung, wie vorauszuplanen um die meist knappen ressourcen optimal einzusetzen. Alle 10 Türme die das Spiel bietet haben einzigartige fähigkeiten und müssen situationsbedingt und Levelabhängig platziert werden,    Sehr spaßiges Spiel mit Suchtfaktor, gerade wenn der Schwierigkeitsgrad steigt und die letzten Level nahen.
    Logisch Denken zu können ist eine Voraussetzung, wie vorauszuplanen um die meist knappen ressourcen optimal einzusetzen. Alle 10 Türme die das Spiel bietet haben einzigartige fähigkeiten und müssen situationsbedingt und Levelabhängig platziert werden, manchmal muss auch für die anstürmenden Gegner-Horden ein Irrgarten gebaut werden, um einen möglichst langen Weg zu erschaffen und das erreichen der eigenen "Basis", den Power-Cores, herauszuzögern und dabei möglichst viel Schaden anrichten zu können. Doch vorsicht: Manche gegner rufen verstärkung, andere sind getarnt oder vom einem leistungsfähigen Schild umgeben.

    Alles in allem ist dieses Spiel sein Geld mehr als Wert, wenn man dieses genre mag.    … Expand
  2. BillDoe
    Jan 5, 2009
    10
    Wow, just wow. Love this game! Think I found my new favorite genre :) Now all I need is an expansion with more maps, hehe. I sat down and couldn't stop playing this until it was finished. Might actually purchase this a second time when it releases on 360 just to support the developer and pick up some gamerscore.
  3. NateT
    May 7, 2009
    10
    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.
  4. BradG
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    Even if you don't know what tower defense games are, this game will have you hook, line and sinker. It's an incredible title and well worth the budget prices you find it for.
  5. DavidH
    Oct 12, 2009
    10
    Addictive and well done. Replayed on harder levels. Wish there was even more levels or add on pack!
  6. HermanP
    May 4, 2009
    10
    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 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. … Expand
  7. FergusL
    May 9, 2009
    10
    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.
  8. CokoBWare
    Dec 29, 2009
    10
    I'm not a fan of tower defense games in general, but this game just might make me a convert. I have all the excitement of an RTS without the resource management and attention deficit anxiety associated with said RTSs. Learning how to use the units is essential Defense Grid, and it certainly can be a nail-biter when you're running close to one powercore left. It satisfies all my I'm not a fan of tower defense games in general, but this game just might make me a convert. I have all the excitement of an RTS without the resource management and attention deficit anxiety associated with said RTSs. Learning how to use the units is essential Defense Grid, and it certainly can be a nail-biter when you're running close to one powercore left. It satisfies all my quick impulse playing requirements, but I can get lost in the game for hours if I want to as well. Graphics are amazing for such a simple game, as the low poly counts make for decent gameplay on lower spec'd systems. Get this game!… Expand
  9. Brumbek
    Jul 2, 2011
    10
    I'm a minor fan of Defense games, but Defense Grid is absolutely tremendous! It's so well-devised, has great graphics, and the best voice actor ever! For the price, this game is a great value. It's got lots of fun extra modes for each level which is nice as well. Overall, this is the blueprint for how to create a defense game. Truly worthy of universal acclaim.
  10. Shtiggy
    Dec 27, 2011
    10
    Excellent tower defense game. This is even more fun than bubble tanks was. Excellent gameplay and graphics. The British computer gets annoying after a while, but so be it. Still a fantastic game with very creative maps.
  11. Quellor
    Oct 20, 2013
    10
    Fun and addictive. At this point it's nearly free on steam. Just get it, seriously! If you like strategy and addictive puzzle-like gameplay, it satisfies. Hours of gameplay with more DLC available.
  12. shoebelt
    Apr 21, 2011
    10
    One of the best tower defense games, ever, period. I don't like making such 'profound' statements, but this game has been my favorite of all time since i first picked it up over a year ago. The game has great graphics, good voice over acting, a solid story for a tower defense game, and extreme replay value. This tower defense game has paths that are predetermined and you just have toOne of the best tower defense games, ever, period. I don't like making such 'profound' statements, but this game has been my favorite of all time since i first picked it up over a year ago. The game has great graphics, good voice over acting, a solid story for a tower defense game, and extreme replay value. This tower defense game has paths that are predetermined and you just have to build towers to kill them as they pass, areas where you can create mazes, and also areas where you can force them to take different routes altogether. As far as vareity goes, this has game has plenty of it. Lastly, one of my favorite features is the point system, which rewards players for spending less money, and therefor being more effecient. So, if you have competitive friends, and think you are better than them.... its a good place to show it. Conclusion: A must for anyone who claims to like tower defense games. The solid amount levels, and gameplay modes allows the game to remain entertaing for a very lengthy time.… Expand
  13. Pomornik
    Dec 22, 2011
    10
    Easily the best Tower Defence game ever made. I can't even come up with any cons here, because everything about it was excellent. The DLC's are very solid either, especially You Monster.
  14. Subby
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    This game does exactly what is has set out to do perfectly. I used to enjoy TD mods on Warcraft 3, so it was a real joy to find this and I'm having fun playing it.
  15. Viruz32
    Dec 7, 2011
    10
    Fantastic game! By the looks of it, I never thought I'd find myself playing this kind of game, but it sort of has the "plants vs zombies" feel to it. The point is to stop the enemy form getting to the end, and as you progress you get a variety of better weapons and upgrades to do it with. In the meantime, the aliens (or zombies if you prefer) are also starting to range in types, fromFantastic game! By the looks of it, I never thought I'd find myself playing this kind of game, but it sort of has the "plants vs zombies" feel to it. The point is to stop the enemy form getting to the end, and as you progress you get a variety of better weapons and upgrades to do it with. In the meantime, the aliens (or zombies if you prefer) are also starting to range in types, from stronger to faster; from slow to ones that fly. All around, this game is fantastic and I can't believe it got a measly 81/100, I'd give it a solid 9.5 just because it's plain fun!… Expand
  16. comscier
    Sep 27, 2011
    10
    Highly recommended.
    Voice acting is surprisingly good for a indie game.
    Huge maps collection with addition DLCs maps pack.
    One of the best TD game I ever played.
    money well spent!!
    if they have implemented multiplayer, this would be the perfect standalone TD game in existent
  17. GreyCritic
    Dec 31, 2011
    10
    If you are looking for great relaxing game you got it. If you are looking for challenge you got it, again.
    What i'm mean, is that game can give you a great time of slaughtering legions of aliens with good balanced and designed turrets, although good soundtrack, nice graphics and easy controls. About bad in this game, is that when you learn all kinda tricks in game you can get boring, but    If you are looking for great relaxing game you got it. If you are looking for challenge you got it, again.
    What i'm mean, is that game can give you a great time of slaughtering legions of aliens with good balanced and designed turrets, although good soundtrack, nice graphics and easy controls. About bad in this game, is that when you learn all kinda tricks in game you can get boring, but that can be fixed by download content, if you like the original game.    … Expand
  18. chevmech
    Feb 2, 2013
    10
    Best tower defense game ever created. Mob pathing adds a ton of strategic variety to the levels. The graphics are great- zooming in on a well fortified bottleneck provides great satisfaction. The variety of different game modes makes for interesting challenges level after level. Most TD games I get bored with after a short while, but DG keeps me engaged- sometimes for longer than IBest tower defense game ever created. Mob pathing adds a ton of strategic variety to the levels. The graphics are great- zooming in on a well fortified bottleneck provides great satisfaction. The variety of different game modes makes for interesting challenges level after level. Most TD games I get bored with after a short while, but DG keeps me engaged- sometimes for longer than I would like! I would love to see a sequel!… Expand
  19. jazzboxer
    Dec 24, 2011
    10
    Very good game for the price you cannot fault it, good graphics and plays nice and smooth with no glitches, I didnt expect much at the price but was pleasantly suprised, this is a great tower defense game.
  20. Phillippe
    Sep 20, 2012
    10
    For it's value, this is completely worth it. The game has a lot of replayability then if you add the few dlc, this will give you a lot of hours to play. I have almost 100 hours of play and pay around 15$ for the game and some of the dlc. This is worth it.
  21. gendu
    Oct 16, 2012
    10
    Towerdefense game at its best, I picked it up last Christmas period on Steam for less than 3
  22. Niumen
    Aug 7, 2013
    10
    Tower defense games should stay from where there came simple flash games, like Gemcraft or so. BUT! Defense Grid: The Awakening push all boundaries to provide true masterpiece among tower defense games. Great graphics, great plot, great narrator, great DLC's everything is great in this game. Tons of fun and repeatability. This is "must have" for everyone. Period.
  23. Kyalpha
    Aug 26, 2013
    10
    This is THE BEST tower defense game! I've played lost of games of this kind, but none of them can get me so addicted like this one. Gameplay, story, difficulty, music graphic everything is the best of this kind.
  24. boyband6666
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    Fun, addictive,and really well made.

    Also with all the different modes, and challenges to get gold medals (the last ones added 4 years after the game came out), fantastic value.

    A fantastic experience, that I recommend to anyone.
  25. MAKTWEB
    May 22, 2016
    10
    The best defense tower game out there. How anyone could like plants vs zombies above this can only be down to the fact that DG requires some intelligence.
  26. crazymurdock
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    I bought this for 99p, and have since bought 2 expansions (at 99p each I think). Have over 24 hours clocked up and have enjoyed every one of them immensely.

    This is my favourite tower defence game ever (yes, better than it's sequel)
  27. GaryR
    Jan 4, 2010
    9
    Very fun, strong, challenging game. Learning each level can take some time, and determining the proper tower usage takes some forethought. Overall a very high quality game.
  28. DavidD
    Aug 5, 2009
    9
    Deeply strategic game with surprisingly gorgeous graphics. Insanely addictive, and refreshingly good voice acting. Control is a little wonky, but isn't a problem once you become accustomed to it.
  29. MikkelO.
    Jan 4, 2010
    9
    This is just marvelous! It is an excellent little game, and I am not a fan of Tower Defense - but because you towers cannot be destroyed, and you seldom have the option of creating a maze to slow down the waves, it just becomes an excellent little action-puzzle. Comes highly recommended.
  30. JohnMise
    Feb 4, 2009
    9
    I'm not much into the Tower Defense games but this is by far the best one I have ever played. I like the idea of having some control over the paths of your enemy and being able to direct them to their demise. It was easy to learn and the visuals are good. Even after completing it, I still go back to see if I can do better on some levels. For something not to intense and relaxing,I'm not much into the Tower Defense games but this is by far the best one I have ever played. I like the idea of having some control over the paths of your enemy and being able to direct them to their demise. It was easy to learn and the visuals are good. Even after completing it, I still go back to see if I can do better on some levels. For something not to intense and relaxing, Defense Grid is the game.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best PC Game of 2008
24
#24 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
41
#41 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. GamePro
    90
    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.
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  2. Destructoid
    70
    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.
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  3. Gamervision
    80
    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
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