| Dungeon Defenders | |
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Xbox Live Arcade Cover Art |
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| Developer(s) | Trendy Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Reverb Communications |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 3 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, iOS, Android, PlayStation Vita |
| Release date(s) | iOS
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| Genre(s) | Tower defense, Action RPG |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E10+ |
Dungeon Defenders is a video game developed by Trendy Entertainment that combines the genres of tower defense and action RPG. The game takes place in a fantasy setting where players control the young apprentices of wizards and warriors and defend against hordes of monsters.[3] Dungeon Defenders was announced on August 25, 2010, and had been planned for release on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC.[4] Support for the Move accessory is planned for inclusion in the PlayStation Network version.[5] Epic Games' Mark Rein has stated that there will be cross platform play between the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita.[6] The game was released on October 19, 2011 through Steam.[7]
The game has been a commercial success, selling over 250,000 copies in first two weeks of release.[8] As of December 22, 2011, the game sold 600,000 copies worldwide, mainly through the use of Steam.[9]
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There were originally four character classes available in-game; the Squire, Monk, Huntress, and Apprentice. Four new classes were introduced on November 23, 2011 which were essentially "gender-swapped" versions of the original four with the same towers but new abilities. These characters include the Initiate, Countess, Ranger, and Adept.[10] Additional classes such as the Berserker, Jester, and the "Series EV" are planned to be added to the game at a later date via DLC. All classes possess unique "towers," defenses that can be constructed on the map to stop advancing mobs, as well as utilize different skills and weapon types. The style of gameplay encourages multi-player and cooperation utilizing all the classes unique defenses. However, it is possible to play solo and switch between the different classes during a level in between combat phases.
The characters are divided upon skill levels for players, so that certain players will choose a certain character for play, though all characters are are balanced as the skill level only determines how each character handles. The Squire is primarily a melee based character whose towers are capable of large amounts of damage as well as barricading advancing mobs. The female counterpart ia the Countess, who can joust through groups of enemies and boost her allies' morale. The Apprentice is a mage based character focused on ranged combat whose towers focus primarily on ranged and elemental damage, with the female counterpart, the Adept, possessing the ability to instantly upgrade any defense as well as cause magical explosions.
The Monk is a support character capable of both ranged and melee attacks. The Monk's towers take the form of "auras;" constructed zones on the map capable of buffing allies or inflicting negative status and/or damage on incoming mobs. The female counterpart to the Monk. She has the ability to debuff nearby enemies and strengthen her allies' defenses. The Huntress focuses on ranged combat with the class' towers taking the form of "traps" which function for a limited amount of charges. The male counterpart to the Huntress. His invisibility and piercing arrow abilities affect multiple allies/enemies but cost more mana.
First Wave is the obsolete mobile version of Dungeon Defenders, and was one of the first Unreal Engine 3 games available for iOS and the first available on Android, with a recent patch allowing cross-platform multiplayer gaming between the two mobile operating systems via GameSpy.
Second Wave is the current mobile version of Dungeon Defenders. It is free on the Android Market, but paid on the App Store. It features a revamped menu system and improved controls.
Dungeon Defenders has largely been given good marks, reaching an 82 for PC, 77 for XBox 360, and 81 for Playstation 3 on Metacritic[11]. GameShark gave the game a 100, citing a love for the vibrant, cartoony look and feel and addictive and solid tower defense gaming experience.[12]
GamePro gave the game a 90, saying, "In short, it's one of the best value PC games you'll ever buy," while IGN awarded it an 85, stated that the PC version "has some varied controls when using a mouse and keyboard (though it plays just fine with intuitive use of the number keys)."[13]
Gaming Bus gave the game a B+, citing as strengths good graphics and music, multiple game modes that get harder as the player goes on, multiple methods to beat levels, a variety of map types, and overall multiplayer strength. However, the site also mentioned difficulties with menus, camera angles, movements, occasional server crashes, and grinding as a necessity for single player mode.[14]
Not all reviews were positive, however. PC Gamer UK gave the game a 60, stating that the game was "a good idea that allows for some fun co-operative strategising, but too often the mechanics or technical issues get in the way." Several user reviews on Metacritic mentioned the game needing patches, constant server crashes, and issues with grinding as their primary complaints.