Defense Grid: The Awakening

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 53
  3. Negative: 3 out of 53

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  1. NickBrooks
    Sep 15, 2009
    9
    Pretty much perfect implementation of a tower defence game, lots of small tweaks and features that show attention to detail. Graphics and voiceover are also very polished.
    Such a shame the metacritic score is dragged down by the idiotic 60 from Teletext (that great bastion of gaming journalism), who admits that it's a great game, but gives it a low score because he doesn't like    Pretty much perfect implementation of a tower defence game, lots of small tweaks and features that show attention to detail. Graphics and voiceover are also very polished.
    Such a shame the metacritic score is dragged down by the idiotic 60 from Teletext (that great bastion of gaming journalism), who admits that it's a great game, but gives it a low score because he doesn't like tower defence games (hint - get someone to review it who at least likes the genre/concept).    … Expand
  2. idbell
    Jun 17, 2012
    10
    Truly one of the best strategy games on the 360, and one of the few that have stood the test of time. Though I have finished all the levels many times, I still come back to try new things and test new strategies. It'll never have the following of COD, but as a tower defense game, there is none better.
  3. Tower
    Jan 23, 2016
    10
    It is hard to explain why this game is so good. The game-play is just so finely balanced to make each level a memorable experience. The waves of aliens have been paced so that you constantly have to make strategic choices, and there's rarely a moment to sit back and take it all in. The graphics may not be the best ever, but they grow on you. The soundtrack and voice acting are excellent. IIt is hard to explain why this game is so good. The game-play is just so finely balanced to make each level a memorable experience. The waves of aliens have been paced so that you constantly have to make strategic choices, and there's rarely a moment to sit back and take it all in. The graphics may not be the best ever, but they grow on you. The soundtrack and voice acting are excellent. I can honestly say that I have never played such an addictive game as Defense Grid.… Expand
  4. Polish_Infidel
    Jun 30, 2013
    8
    Well done tower defense game. I felt that it would have been better if the enemies actually fired back at you and you had to repair units, etc., something that even some of the free online tower defense games do. However, still a great game and some of the later levels are extremely hard. Worth purchasing if you are a tower defense fan like myself.
  5. omnigate
    Jul 18, 2013
    4
    The graphics, music and sound effects are high quality. I was able to get through the Awakening capaign fairly easily, but got mopped up on Boderlands. I couldn't complete a single level. There is no difficulty switch and it feels the game is geared towards only a couple possible solutions. To echo Shinigurai's comment very frustrating. I've been playing games for a long time, andThe graphics, music and sound effects are high quality. I was able to get through the Awakening capaign fairly easily, but got mopped up on Boderlands. I couldn't complete a single level. There is no difficulty switch and it feels the game is geared towards only a couple possible solutions. To echo Shinigurai's comment very frustrating. I've been playing games for a long time, and fortunately it's rare that I run into games like this where the levels are too extreme.… Expand
  6. Broyax
    Apr 9, 2018
    3
    Un principe inventif habilement exploité mais qui souffre de graves problèmes d'équilibrage, notamment la difficulté et le comportement des aliens qui contournent pour un oui ou pour un non et quand ça leur chante toute mon armée de tourelles en colère.

    A moins de recommencer jusqu'à l'intox pour dénicher les emplacements optimaux de tel type de tourelle dans tel niveau en particulier à    Un principe inventif habilement exploité mais qui souffre de graves problèmes d'équilibrage, notamment la difficulté et le comportement des aliens qui contournent pour un oui ou pour un non et quand ça leur chante toute mon armée de tourelles en colère.

    A moins de recommencer jusqu'à l'intox pour dénicher les emplacements optimaux de tel type de tourelle dans tel niveau en particulier à tel moment précis et en espérant une quelconque logique dans leurs déplacements souvent erratiques, le Defense Grid nous les brise donc sévèrement.

    Cela est assurément très dommageable, car l'interface est bien pensée et la voix du regretté Marc Alfos nous accompagne tout du long, donnant un allant très appréciable à cette IA qui parle beaucoup. Ainsi, l'absence de difficulté réglable malgré d'autres options qui se débloquent (ou pas ou apparaissent au petit bonheur la chance) mais indépendantes du mode histoire proprement dit, cette absence disais-je, gâche littéralement toute la campagne. C'est ballot.    … Expand
  7. mobiusmobius@hotmail.co.uk
    Sep 3, 2009
    8
    Its desktop tower defence, this time though someone made the smart idea of giving it a 3D view and a Scifi setting. if you have played any of the free internet tower defence games then you can expect the same here. its still a good game and its cheaper than the PC version found on the likes of Steam.
  8. JackB.
    Sep 7, 2009
    9
    This game pretty much has all the reasonable things to expect from a quality game. the graphics are good, the concept is solid (although an unoriginal one), but executed well. i have a few other similar games to this, Plants Vs Zombies, Ninja Town, Locks Quest, Crystal Defenders, and i have tried Savage Moon, but this game still kept me interested all the way through. if you like this This game pretty much has all the reasonable things to expect from a quality game. the graphics are good, the concept is solid (although an unoriginal one), but executed well. i have a few other similar games to this, Plants Vs Zombies, Ninja Town, Locks Quest, Crystal Defenders, and i have tried Savage Moon, but this game still kept me interested all the way through. if you like this type of game then i really do recommend getting this, it really is that good even after playing through many other similar games.… Expand
  9. AnthonyP
    Sep 8, 2009
    9
    Excellent game at a fantastic price. This game, with 4 fewer levels, retailed on the PC for $19.99, and I strongly considered buying it. Coming out on the Xbox for half that price makes it a fantastic deal for anyone who might even consider liking the tower defense genre. I'm a big fan of those games so I'm slightly biased, but this is an excellent example of TD design. It does Excellent game at a fantastic price. This game, with 4 fewer levels, retailed on the PC for $19.99, and I strongly considered buying it. Coming out on the Xbox for half that price makes it a fantastic deal for anyone who might even consider liking the tower defense genre. I'm a big fan of those games so I'm slightly biased, but this is an excellent example of TD design. It does have a lot of the normal towers (fast machine gun, splash damage, "poison", slow, anti-air, etc.), but they work together very well and have a few non-standard towers and features as well. The presentation is excellent and it feels much more controlled and well put together than the similar Savage Moon on the PS3. It does have a few interface hiccups (I should be able to easily see what medals I have an haven't earned), and I have no idea why there isn't a "get gold in everything" achievement, or why their scoring system is so strange, but all that said there's a ton of content at an unbeatable price. Inclusions of fast-forward and flash-back buttons are welcome additions, though the flash-back does risk making the game a bit easy. I would have liked to have seen some "extreme" difficulty above the "challenge" modes. Either way, check out the demo - if you like it then the game is definitely worth buying.… Expand
  10. MerfM
    Sep 6, 2009
    9
    An utter bargain and delight of a game. its a great tower defense, probably only beaten by Plants v Zombies in the genre. This is closer to the traditional tower defense games and has top notch presentation, lots of levels, challenges & depth. there have been some amazing xbla titles recently but for only 800pts this is the pick of the bunch for me, yes its even better than Trials HD.
  11. MikeT.
    Sep 7, 2009
    9
    This is one of the most addictive games I've come across in a while. I forgot about life for 3 days while I obsessively played thru the campaign mode of over 20 levels. Simple yet engaging gameplay, crisp beautiful graphics and high replayability. Heavy on the strategy and challenging without being impossible. But it still manages to stick to the genre definition without getting This is one of the most addictive games I've come across in a while. I forgot about life for 3 days while I obsessively played thru the campaign mode of over 20 levels. Simple yet engaging gameplay, crisp beautiful graphics and high replayability. Heavy on the strategy and challenging without being impossible. But it still manages to stick to the genre definition without getting boring or repetitive. Awesome value for the money and a great addition to the XBLA library. I'll be holding my breath for a sequel.… Expand
  12. HydroThunder
    Oct 5, 2019
    10
    Defense Grid: The Awakening, is simply one of my favorite games of all time. I find myself still playing it on the Xbox One in 2019, and not just for nostalgia. It really is the best Tower Defense game that I have ever played, and I play a lot of them.

    The graphics, voice overs, and sound effects are definitely top notch, especially for 2009. They hold up today. Beautifully crafted    Defense Grid: The Awakening, is simply one of my favorite games of all time. I find myself still playing it on the Xbox One in 2019, and not just for nostalgia. It really is the best Tower Defense game that I have ever played, and I play a lot of them.

    The graphics, voice overs, and sound effects are definitely top notch, especially for 2009. They hold up today. Beautifully crafted and lovingly put together all around, the polish is definitely there. The main voice is just incredible, his characterization is one of the best pieces of work I have ever seen in a video game.

    But that's only worthwhile considering the staggering amount of careful thought that has gone in to each and every level, every path, every wave, every tower, every upgrade. I find myself playing, playing again to get a better score, playing again to see what can be done different. Each level has so many different ways that you can succeed depending on your preference, so many ways to funnel aliens or put them in a hot box of death. It's rewarding, and spectacular, and if you've never played Defense Grid, you owe it to yourself.    … Expand
  13. Watermelon789
    Oct 18, 2011
    7
    Defense Grid is the kind of game you like to play and in the same way, you develop a kind of hate in the same way. The strategy of thinking what type of offensive unit makes the game probably different from many strategy games( or tower etc) but the concept it's just a damaged journey that doesn't appeal to me . Hidden Path Entertainment needs to polish the sequel , by now , Defense GridDefense Grid is the kind of game you like to play and in the same way, you develop a kind of hate in the same way. The strategy of thinking what type of offensive unit makes the game probably different from many strategy games( or tower etc) but the concept it's just a damaged journey that doesn't appeal to me . Hidden Path Entertainment needs to polish the sequel , by now , Defense Grid is just another lazy game that even with a boring gameplay it's a nice game.… Expand
  14. houyi111
    Jul 5, 2013
    7
    Weirdly additive game. Spent hours on it. Will never purchase it (not my type of game), but as a free game for xbox gold member, I give it a soild 7....

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
73
#73 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
75
#75 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. IGN
    89
    A great value on Xbox Live Arcade. It's a fantastic tower defense game, costs half what it does on PC, and throws in bonus levels for us. Strategy games aren't everyone's cup of tea, but if you count yourself a devotee of the genre you won't want to miss this one.
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  2. Metro GameCentral
    60
    It's still just another Tower Defence game, but at least this one requires some genuine strategy.
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  3. TeamXbox
    90
    The pinnacle of design for tower-defense games, and not just because of its fancy Gamebryo-powered 3D graphics. It’s challenging and complex without breaking the same simple rules that all tower-defense games follow, even the most unsophisticated ones. Taking a simple yet classic game design, then adding depth and polish to it, is probably the purest way to make a great game.
    Read full review
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