Dungeon Defenders is a perfect example of a game with hybrid genres done right. The addicting aspects of a tower defense game, a leveling system of an RPG and the mindless enjoyment of a hack’n slash game all combined into a great multiplayer package that just shatters the ground. It’s an addicting game that just works so well.
Dungeon Defenders lets you roll with one of four classes: a squire, an apprentice, a huntress and a monk. You can create different characters and switch them around during gameplay as you wish but you will only have one active character at a time. Your goal is to defend a crystal, build structures to help defend the crystal and destroy anything that is trying to reach for it. What comes out of this is a crazy, addicting, strategic game that will leave you wanting more and more.
The game’s pace is divided into two phases. In build phase, you’re able to quickly build structures and expend your mana pool. Mana, in this game, is not only used for special abilities that you may have but to also build, repair, and upgrade structures. Once you’re done, you’ll go into battle phase where you must battle off and kill every single enemy. Building will be a lot slower in this phase but sometimes it will be needed.
The game can be played solo but the game is clearly made for multiplayer in mind. You can play completely local with split screen (console only I believe) or take it all online and even bring some local buddies with you while you’re at it. The amount of ground and structures you have to your team is only limited by a structure limit imposed on you. You’re going to need every single point used to really maximize your defenses and you will be using your resources to repair and even build new structures while fighting.
Final Verdict: I can see this game being a fan favorite for those RPG types that have a circle of friends who want to decimate armies of enemies. Again, this is not a game that you would want to spend solo and if you don’t have access to friends, I actually would not recommend this game as playing with random people online can often be a drag in a strategic game like this. That said, this is a wonderful game that is addicting with friends and that’s just a fantastic thing if you can actually bring friends closer with such a simple premise but a deep underlining of strategy.
This review is based on the Playstation 3 version of Dungeon Defenders. The review footage was taken from multiplayer sessions with both OnesOwnGrief and Rockman Xelnia. OnesOwnGrief was using the Playstation Move to control the game and he seems to be enjoying it more than controller. The Xbox 360 version will most likely play the same except without a trading feature that will be introduced later. The PC version will most likely play more like how the Playstation Move controls play.
