Defenders of Ekron: Definitive Edition

 Xbox One
Defenders of Ekron: Definitive Edition Image
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

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  • Summary: In this adventure/shmup game with features like 360 degree shooting range, unique scenarios to discover, exploration modes to analyze the environment, a powerful shield, and different upgradable combat modes, you must defeat The Renegades and stop the bursting civil war threatening Ekron.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. GameSpew
    Aug 21, 2018
    70
    The mixture of level types helps keep the game varied and entertaining, and the frequency of impressive boss battles means slower moments never last for too long. It’s a respectable addition to the shmup genre.
  2. TrueAchievements
    Aug 14, 2018
    70
    If you’re looking for a standard Japanese shmup, Defenders of Ekron is going to disappoint, but this Chilean gem offers a nuanced level design that allows it to excel, becoming far better than most of its contemporaries through a revolving door of fun, challenging encounters and enough content to leave you more than content. Sure, it’s full of awful anime tropes that make you resent every story section, and it’s got some game design systems that actively hinder your enjoyment, but those negatives aren’t nearly enough to weigh down the game.
  3. XboxAddict
    Sep 11, 2018
    60
    I absolutely love shmups, and while Defenders of Ekron: Definitive Edition is completely serviceable as one, it didn’t do much to excite me, even with some new interesting mechanics and a rarely found narrative focus in a schmup. I applaud the risk of trying something new, but the blending of different mechanics doesn’t always work as well as I would have hoped. While not terribly long, $12.99 is a little steep for what you get, but worth checking out on a sale if you’re in desperate need for a new twin stick shooter shmup.
  4. TheXboxHub
    Nov 28, 2018
    60
    I don’t think I’ve ever played a game like Defenders of Ekron before; loving it one moment, hating it the next and then loving it again. Its ambition and storytelling is great and it does some really interesting things with the gameplay which, at times, really impresses – especially that found in the challenge rooms. But there are many more times where it becomes very familiar, failing to allow the previously impressive stuff to take hold.
  5. Xbox Tavern
    Aug 8, 2018
    55
    Defenders of Ekron is passable at best. I wont deny that the game shines at its brightest and is at its most exciting when there’s a lot of action on screen, but the moments that lead to that, despite some interesting ideas, often struggle to maintain grip. There’s also a few technical issues and poor design choices to contend with, on top of the game’s play-it-safe story. Fun indeed, but hardly compelling.
  6. XBLA Fans
    Aug 16, 2018
    40
    Defenders of Ekron – Definitive Edition is not the game its advertised to be, nor the game you’d want it to be. The second half of the game is a tedious, confusing mess with no real support from the storyline; it doesn’t help it stay afloat. The hour or so of shmup style gameplay that is there is solid, but its blurred by the rest of the game’s mechanics and gameplay elements. The puzzles, while occasionally interesting, are completely out of place. The game overall is a failure. It’s playable, but it’s not likely what you’re wanting or expecting.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Aug 19, 2018
    7
    Unfortunately the game suffers with quite a few technichal issues and whilst none of them are major issues they can still harm the fun factorUnfortunately the game suffers with quite a few technichal issues and whilst none of them are major issues they can still harm the fun factor a little bit. In terms of content there isn’t a great deal to be getting on with and you do end up getting the feeling of not being completely satisfied. The additional extras in the game aren’t anything special even if they do give the game a little more in terms of length.
    Does Defenders of Ekron: Definitive Edition do enough to get a recommendation from me? I’m willing to try any shoot-em-up because I love the genre that much and as far as shoot-em-ups go Defenders of Ekron isn’t a bad edition to the genre. That being said there are better game’s available for you to play in this genre and in my opinion the little shortcomings the game suffers with does stop it from reaching its full potential, which is a shame because the core mechanics work really well. Despite it suffering with a few issues it does still get more things right than it gets wrong and that means Defenders of Ekron: Definitive Edition does enough to get a small recommendation from me.    … Expand