UPDATE: Dungeon Defenders 2 is releasing sometime this year! Check it out here
I’ve
noticed and interesting emerging trend when it comes to gaming options.
I know the Madden line of games does this, as well as several other
titles. This blog post will focus on the newer game: Dungeon Defenders.
For the sake of clarification, I am reviewing this game on the Steam
platform. It does come on several other platforms including PlayStation
Network and Android mobile.
Here is a game trailer for your enjoyment:
Dungeon
Defenders(DD) is an excellent blending of tower defense and 3rd person
shooter. Similar in concept to games like Sanctum (though DD has a
mixed mode for camera options).
The
controls are very basic, very easy to get the hang of. There are 4
basic classes: Huntress, Squire, Monk, and Apprentice. Each character
has their own innate abilities and advantages, will still retaining the
familiar control set.
The
Art-Style is esthetically pleasing with the colorful cell shading. The
levels are well sculpted and well balanced. Overall, an excellent choice
for a game that is fun and entertaining for all gamer levels.
Which
brings me to the main point of this review. The core Dungeon Defenders
game costs $15.00 through Steam. Not bad considering you get the full
game with all the multilayer options. The game has only been out since
November and has added about ten downloadable content (DLC) each DLC
adds a variety of features from character costumes, new challenges, 4
more character classes to whole entire new campaigns. The neat thing
about doing it this way is that you can piecemeal your gaming experience
to suit your playing styles. Want more levels, $4.00 gets you a new
area. Want a new look for your character, $.99 buys a costume pack. It
helps clear away all those things you do not want and adds the things
you do. Not everyone feels costume variation is important. That is okay,
you do not need the DLC. Plus right now, if you were to buy all the
DLC, it would only set you back $40.00, which includes the core game. A
la-Cart gaming also helps you get into the door for under $20.00. You
almost cannot go wrong giving it a shot. Plus then if you do hate it,
you are only out fifteen bucks, instead of the fifty you would have
spent on a game like Duke Nukem. You can see my other blog post for my
review of that game [Link].
Overall
I would give the game a 8/10The dynamics of the game is excellent, it has replay value and continues to grow with 4 DLC’s planned in the next 3 months.
The game lost points because, although the sound track is great, it only has a few tunes it plays over and over during the game play, the difficulty between the highest difficulty level and the second highest is excessive. One could play solo at the ‘insane’ level but get mercilessly crushed at the ‘Nightmare’ level makes playing at the highest level almost night worth it aside from the item drops and such, and lastly the repetitive rubric of play in end game pushed it further down.