Defender

 Xbox
Defender Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Defender undergoes a 3D makeover, featuring fast-paced action, strategy, and an army of aliens. A remake of an arcade classic, Defender sends you on a mission to defend your solar system and save the human race from alien invasion. In addition to space combat action, the game showcasesDefender undergoes a 3D makeover, featuring fast-paced action, strategy, and an army of aliens. A remake of an arcade classic, Defender sends you on a mission to defend your solar system and save the human race from alien invasion. In addition to space combat action, the game showcases elements of strategy, multiple types of humans to protect and use, ground units for players to defend and position, and bases to build and expand. And now, you can upgrade your Defender ships with special weapons, shields, and other technologies.… Expand
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X06 Xbox Live Arcade Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Game Informer
    83
    It feels more like a next-generation "Colony Wars" than Defender. This, of course, is the highest of compliments. [Feb 2003, p.105]
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  2. netjak
    80
    I love the game and in the same breath hate it. One minute I want to cuddle up with the gamedisk on my pillow, and the next minute want to take it to practice skeet.
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  3. Official Xbox Magazine
    80
    May have some flaws, but the controls feel so good it's hard to put the game down. [Jan 2003, p.92]
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  4. Cheat Code Central
    70
    It's a nice trip around the galaxy but it won't see hard time on your machine after you finish it.
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  5. Yahoo!
    70
    With numerous incentives to play, it's a shame that the game isn't more visually appealing. It's not a bad looking game by any means, just rather unremarkable.
  6. GameSpot
    69
    While it isn't quite as successful as "Spy Hunter" at re-creating the feel of the old game, Defender still puts on a decent show.
  7. Xbox Nation Magazine
    50
    What ultimately lands Defender in the "utterly forgettable" pile are its bland graphics, twitchy controls, and various technical problems. [Winter 2002, p.104]
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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. aspentitan
    Nov 22, 2020
    6
    This is a game that is gonna be hit or miss. I actually liked most of what was here in this new adaptation of the classic defender. TheThis is a game that is gonna be hit or miss. I actually liked most of what was here in this new adaptation of the classic defender. The gameplay and visuals and 3-d environment was done quite well so congrats to that......but......unfortunately there are only 2 control scheme options and I found both unsatisfactory. Some people may be willing to play this game long enough for the controls to be more intuitive however I've played too many games and the given two choices are just too foreign to the standard mapping of what one would expect. Had this game had customizable controls I'd be tempted to give an 8/10 but with what is here is a big buyer beware, the controls and how they are suited to your taste will likely be the determining factor whether or not you will enjoy this game. For me they were a miss.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best Xbox Game of 2002