Defense Grid: The Awakening

Last updated
Defense Grid: The Awakening
Defense Grid logo.jpg
Developer(s) Hidden Path Entertainment
Publisher(s) Hidden Path Entertainment (Win)
Microsoft Studios (XBLA)
Virtual Programming (OS X)
Designer(s) Michael Austin
Engine Gamebryo
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • WW: December 8, 2008 [1]
Xbox 360
  • WW: September 2, 2009 [1]
OS X
  • WW: July 7, 2010 [1]
Genre(s) Tower defense
Mode(s) Single-player

Defense Grid: The Awakening is a tower defense video game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment for Windows and Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360. The game was one of the titles promoted by Microsoft during their Game Developers Conference keynote speech on February 20, 2008. [2] The game was released for Microsoft Windows on December 8, 2008, and for Xbox 360 on September 2, 2009. The OS X version shipped from Virtual Programming on July 7, 2010. [3]

Contents

Players must defend military bases from waves of attacking aliens by positioning a range of tower-based weaponry. New levels provided as downloadable content have been developed in the two years since the game's initial release. Reviewers praised the game, with many noting that the quality of the game was high for a budget title.

From July 1 to July 16 of 2013, Microsoft made the game available free to Xbox 360 Gold members. This giveaway was part of Microsoft's "Games With Gold" Program. [4]

Gameplay

A grinder challenge on the Veil of Ice level with health indicators on. DefenseGrid Veil of Ice.jpg
A grinder challenge on the Veil of Ice level with health indicators on.

The player must defend power cores, which are usually located at a power station, from the invading enemy using ten different tower types. Tower construction is limited to specific platforms. [5] Towers cannot be destroyed by the enemies. [6]

Good tower placement is the key strategic object of the game. [7] Each tower has unique trade-offs that affect ideal placement, such as line-of-sight or ballistic trajectory fire; a large area of effect or damage over time; and minimum and maximum ranges. [8] The "insectoid" enemies arrive in waves and travel along elevated pathways which connect various structures found at the bases. Killing enemies earns resources, which can be used to build more towers and upgrade towers toward two stronger levels. [6] Depending on the tower type an upgrade will provide a more powerful attack, an increased rate of fire and increased range. [9] Tower strength is denoted by the colours green, yellow and red. [10] Towers may be sold (removed) if resources are needed or a player wants to alter pathways. [11] Resources earn interest with the rate increasing the more resources are obtained. [5] The tower defenses are supplemented by the use of an orbital laser which completely destroys all aliens in its blast zone in one strike. The laser is not available in early missions and takes time to recharge. No resources are earned from enemies destroyed by the orbital laser.

During the game, the player battles fifteen types of enemies, [7] each with unique capabilities and strategies. [1] Some aliens are protected by shields which have to be destroyed first before the alien's health will decrease. The aliens will always take the shortest route and some of the aliens fly, requiring towers with aerial weapons for defense. The invaders are able to carry between one and three power cores. [10] If an alien is killed while carrying a core, the orb will slowly float back to the power station. [7] While returning the power core can be grabbed by an alien which will then head for the exit without reaching the power station. [10] A ticker at the top of the screen advises players of the approaching alien wave's formation. [10]

Players have the ability to speed up a game, [7] along with being able to see weapons' range and aerial aliens path, and can also revert to a previously, automatically saved checkpoint. [10] Defense Grid can be viewed at three different levels of zoom. [7] When a level is successfully completed a set of challenges using the same map become available. Players earn medals depending on how well they complete a level. [5] A Steam leaderboard that provides a comparative ranking of player's game scores and other statistics is available.

Plot

The story is based on alien invasion of a planet that has a dormant defense grid. [11] As the player is re-activating the defense system with the assistance of a computer to control the machinery and with only limited resources, the aliens attempt to steal power cores. Power cores are "tiny floating orbs" that provide vital power to the defense grid. [10] Cores are carried by aliens, and when the aliens carrying them die, the cores are dropped, and will slowly float back to their central holder. Once all power cores have been taken from the level, the game is over. Only one power core needs to remain when the last wave of aliens are defeated to complete a level. [10]

Defense Grid is set in the distant future. Most levels feature ancient ruins with defensive military bases built amongst the decaying structures. The game was originally planned to be set amongst an urban environment which has been ravaged by war but that was changed to something more original. [12] The main character in the game, which is called Fletcher, is a computer with human-like qualities that wants to protect his homeworld from destruction.

Development

During development, which started in late 2007, the game was known as Last Stand. [12] The development team were aiming to create a standard tower defense game but in 3D, downloadable and with high production values. [12]

The game was created by Mark Terrano, the lead designer of Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings , and uses the Gamebryo engine. Defense Grid also uses the Scaleform GFx user interface engine. The lead designer for the game was Michael Austin. [13] Lex Story contributed to the design of the 30 different towers which appear in the game. [12]

Downloadable content

Defense Grid: Borderlands was the first set of new levels provided as downloadable content. Defense Grid: Resurgence was announced on 29 May 2010 by Hidden Path Entertainment. The downloadable content is made up of eight new maps, released in installments of two maps each week throughout June 2010. Each map includes a campaign mode and four challenge modes. The content is available for PC and Xbox 360. [14]

In December 2011, Defense Grid: You Monster was released for PC and Xbox 360. Featuring the GLaDOS character from Portal , the add-on pack offers a new story mode of eight levels and 35 challenges. In preparation for the release, Hidden Path updated the core game with user interface enhancements, new game modes and challenge missions. [15]

In December 2012, Hidden Path released four free maps called the Community Levels DLC. These levels were selected from designs submitted by Kickstarter community members using the level visualizer tool given to all backers that pledged $20 or more. The DLC was originally released exclusively to Kickstarter backers in conjunction with the Defense Grid: Containment beta. These levels were later made available to the public for free in exchange for registering to the Hidden Path newsletter. [16]

In January 2013, Defense Grid: Containment was released for PC. It contained 8 maps and a story that bridged the gap between the original Awakening story line and the planned sequel, Defense Grid 2 . Kickstarter backers who pledged $50 or more were allowed to test the beta version and were granted pre-release access to the completed DLC. [17]

Reception

On December 16, 2009, Gamasutra included Defense Grid on its Best Of 2009: Top 5 Console Downloadable Games. [24] As of years-end 2011 the game sold nearly 116,000 copies on the Xbox 360. [25]

The April 2009 issue of PC Gamer awarded Defense Grid a 90% and an Editor's Choice badge, stating, "Defense Grid is such a charming and challenging experience that shouldn't be missed by tower defense fans. Even if you're not a fan, it may turn you into one." [21] GamePro said, "Defense Grid: The Awakening is a prime example of that sudden transformation of taking an unoriginal, well-known style of video game and turning it into a masterpiece for your PC", awarding the title 4.5 stars out of 5. [7] IGN 's 8 out of 10 review stated, "It's an addictive time suck that will have you wishing for more once you've wiped up the last alien." [20] The GameShark review thought Defense Grid was a "solid, well-rounded strategy game". [5] A Thunderbolt Games review thought the game was "a charming little tower defence title with a decent story and challenging gameplay." [23]

The Destructoid review lamented there being only 20 levels. [11] A number of reviewers felt the game would be much better if it came with a level creator. [11] The GamePro review felt some gamers might find the game a little repetitive. [7] A few reviews noted the lack of any multiplayer options. [9] Another review noted that navigating the menus can be a little clumsy. [5]

Sequel

In July 2012, a Kickstarter project was created by Hidden Path Entertainment to help fund a sequel game titled Defense Grid 2 . In August 2012, the Kickstarter project failed to reach its ultimate funding goal of US$1,000,000 for Defense Grid 2's development. However, the project did succeed in fully funding development of a new 8 level expansion to the original game which was named Defense Grid: Containment. [26] Hidden Path continued to talk to potential investors in an attempt to secure the funding to develop the aforementioned sequel, [27] and on March 6, 2014, it was announced that Hidden Path had partnered with 505 Games in addition to angel investor Steven Dengler's Dracogen Inc. for the sequel. The sequel was released in September 2014 for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Related Research Articles

<i>Quake 4</i> 2005 video game

Quake 4 is a 2005 military science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. It is the fourth title in the Quake series, after the multiplayer Quake III Arena, and a sequel to Quake II. Raven Software collaborated with id Software, who supervised the development of the game as well as provided the id Tech 4 engine upon which it was built. The game has an increased emphasis on single-player gameplay compared to previous installments; its multiplayer mode does not support playable bots.

<i>Unreal II: The Awakening</i> 2003 video game

Unreal II: The Awakening is a first-person shooter video game developed by Legend Entertainment and published by Infogrames under the Atari brand for Microsoft Windows, the game was later ported to Microsoft's Xbox console by Tantalus. It is the sequel to the 1998 video game Unreal and part of the franchise of the same name. Cliff Bleszinski was an executive producer for the title.

<i>Lost Planet: Extreme Condition</i> 2006 video game

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by Capcom for Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3. The game was released in Japan in December 2006 and worldwide in January 2007. Originally intended to be an Xbox 360 exclusive, it was later ported and released for Microsoft Windows in June 2007 and PlayStation 3 in February 2008.

<i>Crysis</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Crysis is a first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and released in November 2007. It is the first game in the Crysis series. A standalone expansion entitled Crysis Warhead was released in 2008, following similar events as Crysis but from a different narrative perspective. At the time Crysis was released, and years thereafter, it has been praised for its milestones in graphical design.

<i>The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine</i> Expansion to the video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine is an expansion pack for the role-playing video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Announced on October 17, 2006, for release on November 21, 2006, the expansion was developed by Bethesda Game Studios, and published and released in North America by Bethesda Softworks; in Europe, the game was co-published with Ubisoft. The Microsoft Windows version is available either as a downloadable plug-in from the company website or as part of the retail-released Oblivion Downloadable Content Collection CD—a release that also includes all previously released official downloadable content available for Oblivion. The Xbox 360 version is available via Xbox Live Marketplace, and the PlayStation 3 version of Oblivion includes Knights of the Nine in its packaged release.

<i>Undertow</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Undertow is a video game developed by Chair Entertainment for the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service.

<i>Section 8</i> (video game) 2009 first-person shooter video game

Section 8 is a first-person shooter developed by TimeGate Studios and published by SouthPeak Games. It utilizes the Unreal Engine 3 and was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released in September 2009 for Xbox 360 and PC, and for the PlayStation 3 on March 25 in North America and April 15, 2010, in the PAL region.

<i>The Maw</i> 2009 video game

The Maw is an action-adventure video game developed by Twisted Pixel Games and released for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The game centers on the extraterrestrial Frank and a purple, amorphous creature called The Maw, who have crash-landed their spacecraft on an alien planet. The player assumes the role of Frank and directs The Maw—which can take on the abilities of objects and fauna it consumes—via a leash.

<i>Auditorium</i> (video game) 2008 video game

Auditorium is a music-based puzzle game developed by Philadelphia-based studio Cipher Prime. Originally released as a Flash game in April 2008, Auditorium was later released for iOS devices and then the PlayStation 3 and PSP in 2010. It was also released in 2012 for PC and Mac OS X. In 2012, Cipher Prime launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for a sequel to Auditorium, titled Auditorium 2: Duet. However, on January 11, 2017, Cipher Prime announced to their Kickstarter backers that the game was cancelled.

<i>Shadow Complex</i> 2009 platform-adventure Metroidvania video game

Shadow Complex is a platform-adventure Metroidvania video game developed by Chair Entertainment in association with Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 in 2009.

There are five pieces of downloadable content (DLC) for the Bethesda action role-playing video game Fallout 3. Each package of downloadable content adds new missions, new locales to visit, and new items for the player to use. Of the five, Broken Steel has the largest effect on the game, altering the ending, increasing the level cap to 30, and allowing the player to continue playing past the end of the main quest line. The Game of The Year edition of Fallout 3 includes the full game and all five pieces of downloadable content.

<i>Tron: Evolution</i> 2010 video game

Tron: Evolution is a 2010 action-adventure game published by Disney Interactive Studios. It serves as a tie-in to the 2010 film Tron: Legacy, with its events taking place before the events of the film. The game was announced at the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards and was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable. It was released on November 25, 2010, in Australia, November 26, 2010, in Europe, and December 7, 2010, in North America and Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boomzap Entertainment</span> Video game developer

Boomzap Entertainment is a casual games developer registered in Singapore with a virtual office environment. It was formed in 2005 and has released 50 games to date that are ported on various platforms. Boomzap has developed for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Nintendo DS, Wii, iOS, and Android. Its games are available on games portals such as Big Fish Games, Yahoo!, WildTangent, GameHouse, Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, Steam and others.

<i>Toy Soldiers</i> (video game) 2010 video game

Toy Soldiers is an action and strategy video game developed by Signal Studios released on Xbox Live Arcade on March 3, 2010. It is featured in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Store. It has been available since February 29, 2012, debuting alongside the Windows 8 Consumer Preview beta release. The game was officially released for Microsoft Windows on April 27, 2012. A high-definition port, published by Accelerate Games, was released on October 21, 2021, for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Monday Night Combat</i> 2010 video game

Monday Night Combat is a downloadable third-person shooter video game developed by Uber Entertainment. It was published by Microsoft Studios on the Xbox 360 and by Uber Entertainment and Valve for Microsoft Windows. It was released on August 11, 2010 on the Xbox 360 as part of Microsoft's 2010 Xbox Live Summer of Arcade and is distributed through Xbox Live Arcade. It was released on January 24, 2011 for Windows via Steam.

<i>Dungeon Defenders</i> 2010 video game

Dungeon Defenders is a hybrid multiplayer video game developed by Trendy Entertainment that combines the genres of tower defense and action role-playing game. It is based on a showcase of Unreal Engine 3 named Dungeon Defense. The game takes place in a fantasy setting where players control the young apprentices of wizards and warriors and defend against hordes of monsters. A sequel titled Dungeon Defenders II was released in 2015.

<i>Sanctum</i> (2011 video game) 2011 video game

Sanctum is a first-person shooter tower defense video game, developed by independent developer Coffee Stain Studios. It was released on Steam for Microsoft Windows on 15 April 2011. The successor, Sanctum 2, was announced in 2012 and released in May 2013.

Hidden Path Entertainment is an American video game development company based in Bellevue, Washington, United States.

<i>Runner2</i> 2013 video game

Bit.Trip Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, generally shortened as Runner2, is a 2013 side-scrolling platformer developed by Gaijin Games. The game is the direct sequel to Bit.Trip Runner and has been released as a downloadable title available on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360 and Wii U consoles, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux and on iOS, as well as PlayStation 4 in 2016. The PC, Mac, Linux, and Wii U versions were self-published by Gaijin Games, and the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions were published by Aksys Games.

<i>Defense Grid 2</i> 2014 video game

Defense Grid 2 is a 2014 tower defense video game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment and published by 505 Games. As a sequel to the 2008 Defense Grid: The Awakening, the game was crowd-funded on Kickstarter in 2012 and released on Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on September 23, 2014. Linux and OS X versions were released on October 15, 2014, and the Nintendo Switch version was released on February 7, 2019.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Defense Grid is Now Available on PC, Mac, Xbox 360 & OnLive". Hidden Path Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2010-08-08.
  2. ↑ Microsoft GDC '08 Press Release
  3. ↑ "Defense Grid: The Awakening Released for OS X". MacGamer. July 7, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  4. ↑ "Xbox Live Gold: Multiplayer for Everyone | Xbox".
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mitchell Dyer (22 January 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening Review". GameShark. Mad Catz, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  6. 1 2 Kevin Kelly (2008-08-30). "PAX 2008 hands-on: Defense Grid: The Awakening". Joystiq . Weblogs. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sean Ely (2008-12-12). "GamePro Defense Grid: The Awakening review". GamePro . IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-03-28.
  8. ↑ "Official Defense Grid: The Awakening page". Hidden Path Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-01-24.
  9. 1 2 3 Brian Edey (9 January 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening on PC". GameFocus. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Nate Ralph (28 November 2008). "Hands On: Defense Grid Sexes Up the Tower Defense Game". Wired. Condé Nast Digital. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnathon Ross (December 17, 2008). "Destructoid review: Defense Grid: The Awakening". Destructoid. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Dave McCoy (May 27, 2009). "From Concept to Execution - The Art of Defense Grid: The Awakening". Gamasutra . Think Services. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  13. ↑ Gareth Von Kallenbach (January 15, 2009). "Interview with Defense Grid: The Awakening's Michael Austin". OCModShop.com. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  14. ↑ Defense Grid is Now Available on PC, Mac, Xbox 360 & OnLive. Hidden Path Entertainment.
  15. ↑ "Blog".
  16. ↑ "Blog".
  17. ↑ "Blog".
  18. ↑ "Defense Grid: The Awakening for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  19. ↑ "Defense Grid: The Awakening for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  20. 1 2 Jason Ocampo (2008-12-22). "IGN (US) Defense Grid: The Awakening review". IGN . IGN Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008.
  21. 1 2 3 Dan Stapleton (6 February 2009). "PC Gamer (US) Defense Grid: The Awakening review". PC Gamer . Games Radar.
  22. ↑ "Defense Grid: The Awakening review". PC Advisor. IDG. June 24, 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  23. 1 2 James Frazer (13 August 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening". Thunderbolt. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  24. ↑ Ryan Langley. "Gamasutra's Best Of 2009: Top 5 Console Downloadable Games". Gamasutra . Think Services.
  25. ↑ Langley, Ryan (2012-01-20). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". Gamasutra . Retrieved 2012-01-23.
  26. ↑ "Kickstarter Project for Defense Grid 2". August 9, 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  27. ↑ "Update 22: What Comes Next · Defense Grid 2".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.