Sanctum (2011)

If you like to play tower defence games then Sanctum just might be the right game for you. It's a cheap little game that knows how to mix tower defence with a first-person shooter very well. We would however like to see some extra content, because you'll only get about five hours of gameplay out of the game at this point.

In short, it's a very good, highly flexible game marred only slightly by an occasionally inconsistent difficulty curve -- and for some people, the lack of narrative progression might put them off progressing through the single-player campaign. Despite these minor issues, however, Sanctum remains a high quality game which the developer remains committed to -- and at the price, it's a complete bargain.

Sanctum isn't a truly great game – it needs more content and a few more customisation options to earn that recognition in our eyes. Still, even as it is at the moment, it comes pretty close and provides a brilliant, if short-term, gaming fix.

If you enjoy tower defense games, download the trial and give Sanctum a shot immediately - just don't expect the full package to keep you going for a while.

It's cheap enough, has loads of personality, and shows the kind of promise that suggests that a sequel (should we be so lucky) will knock it out of the park.

Still, this is only a problem in the first place because Sanctum is a tricky and exciting game that left me wanting a whole lot more. [Sept 2011, p.81]

Though very short, it will keep you well amused through the full game.

Sanctum is one of the most innovative tower defense games to date. The player discovers new play styles time and time again through a varied mix of first person shooting and placing towers. The cooperative mode makes the multiplayer last for a long time to boot.

A few defeat are enough to understand that the strenght is not all to win the match. Sanctum is all about tactics and management.

The best advi[c]e I can give you is to treat the game as a platform that will be more fleshed out in the future. If you are a fan of tower defense and FPS mechanics it's definitely worth checking out.

Loads of fun, and it's a decent buy at $14.99. While it could benefit from a wider range of weapons and environments, its engrossing and unusual gameplay makes it a safe bet for any dedicated tower defender.

Really just a quick game for LAN parties as there's no long-term motivation. But wait and see what the future holds: Coffee Saint Studios has announced there'll be numerous improvements to esure the game won't win the title of most beautiful indie game on the market not just for the graphics.

Despite some niggles, Sanctum is a solid PC debut for this indie dev. Recruit a friend and get ready to lose a few hours! [June 2011, p.66]

Sanctum is a fun first-person take on traditional tower defense; it just lacks enough content to round it out.

Sanctum isn't for everyone, but for a dedicated pair of FPS/strategy-loving people in the same room, it's a damn fine choice for for a fun weekend of innovative tower defense.

While the combat in the game leaves much to be desired, the new perspective on the tower defense genre is a welcome and refreshing change of pace.

While it has its flaws, Sanctum is a unique and commendable twist on the tower defense genre. The first-person shooter elements and incredibly fun multiplayer aspects offer a fun experience, and with the promise of new downloadable content on the horizon, the game is worth forgoing a few McDonald's Happy Meals to pick it up.

Another game in the style of Tower Defence, this time from its own perspective. You must prevent your enemies from passing through by building towers and by fierce shooting, just like in any other FPS. Sanctum may entertain you for a while, and the while lasts quite long, but many types of towers and enemies are insufficient defence against intrusive stereotype. The game is lifeless and dry like Tutankhamun's mummy.

It's fun to play with a friend in co-op mode for an hour or two, but the game lacks the content to be interessting for much longer. Once you are really into it, it already ends. More diversity and a broader range of possible tactics would have been nice.

I hope that future patches and expansions will fix the game, since right now Sanctum brings only headaches instead of joy.