Defense Grid: The Awakening

Defense Grid: The Awakening
Developer(s)	Hidden Path Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Hidden Path Entertainment
Distributor(s)	PC Retail - Aspyr Media[1]
Designer(s)	Michael Austin
Engine	Gamebryo Engine
Version	1.0.0.0
Platform(s)	Windows, Xbox 360 (XBLA), Mac OS X
Release date(s)	PC: December 8, 2008[2] XBLA: September 2, 2009[2] Mac OS X: July 7, 2010[2]
Genre(s)	Strategy, tower defense
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer (via Xbox Live)
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone 10+ (E10+)
Media/distribution	Download, DVD
System requirements Minimum: 1.8 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 1GB HDD, DirectX 9.0c video card with shader model 2.0, Internet connection Recommended: 2.0 GHz processor, 1.5 GB RAM Mac OS X Minimum:[3] OS X 10.5.8 or higher Any Intel CPU GeForce 7300, Radeon X1600 (Low-end video cards (GeForce 7300 and Radeon X1600) support only low and medium quality settings) 128 MB VRAM, 1GB RAM 1.1 GB hard disk space

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.^[4] The game was released for PC on December 8, 2008 and for Xbox 360 on September 2, 2009.

The Mac OS X version of Defense Grid: The Awakening shipped from Virtual Programming on July 7, 2010.^[5]

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. All reviewers praised the game, with many noting that the quality of the game was high for a budget title.

Plot

The story is based on alien invasion of a planet that has a dormant defense grid.^[6] 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.^[7] Once all power cores have been stolen the game is over. Only one power core need be remaining when the last wave of aliens is killed to complete a level.^[7]

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.^[8] The main character in the game, which is called the Entity, is a computer with human-like qualities that wants to protect his homeworld from destruction.

Gameplay

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.^[9] Towers cannot be destroyed by the enemies.^[10]

Good tower placement is the key strategic object of the game.^[11] 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.^[2] 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.^[10] Depending on the tower type an upgrade will provide a more powerful attack, an increased rate of fire and increased range.^[12] Tower strength is denoted by the colours green, yellow and red.^[7] Towers may be sold (removed) if resources are needed or a player wants to alter pathways.^[6] Resources earn interest with the rate increasing the more resources are obtained.^[9] 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.

During the game, the player battles fifteen types of enemies,^[11] each with unique capabilities and strategies.^[2] 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.^[7] If an alien is killed while carrying a core, the orb will slowly float back to the power station.^[11] While returning the power core can be grabbed by an alien which will then head for the exit without reaching the power station.^[7] A ticker at the top of the screen advises players of the approaching alien wave's formation.^[7]

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

Players have the ability to speed up a game^[11], along with being able to see weapons' range and aerial aliens path, and can also revert to a previously, automatically saved checkpoint.^[7] Defense Grid can be viewed at three different levels of zoom.^[11] 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.^[9] A Steam leaderboard that provides a comparative ranking of player's game scores and other statistics is available.

Development

During development, which started in late 2007, the game was known as Last Stand.^[8] The development team were aiming to create a standard tower defense game but in 3D, downloadable and with high production values.^[8]

The game was created by Mark Terrano, the lead designer of Age of Empires II, and uses the Gamebryo engine, as used in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Civilization IV, and Fallout 3. Defense Grid also uses the Scaleform GFx user interface engine. The lead designer for the game was Michael Austin.^[13] Lex Story contributed heavily to the design of the 30 different towers which appear in the game.^[8]

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]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	81%[15]
Review scores
Publication	Score
GamePro	4.5/5[11]
IGN	8.9/10[16]
PC Gamer US	90%[17]
Destructoid	7/10[6]
VGrevolution	8/10[18]
GameFocus	9/10[12]
GameShark	B+[9]
The Gamers Temple	80%[19]
Thunderbolt Games	8/10[20]
Gamervision	8/10[21]
Awards Entity Award PC Gamer Editor's Choice badge[17]

On December 16, 2009, Gamasutra included Defense Grid on its Best Of 2009: Top 5 Console Downloadable Games.^[22] 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."^[17] 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.^[11] 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."^[16] The GameShark review thought Defense Grid was a "solid, well-rounded strategy game".^[9] A Thunderbolt Games review thought the game was "a charming little tower defence title with a decent story and challenging gameplay."^[20] A Gamervision review thought the later levels could be "frustrating difficult" but liked the replayability from challenge modes.^[21]

The Destructoid review lamented there being only 20 levels.^[6] A number of reviewers felt the game would be much better if it came with a level creator.^[6][18] At least one review drew attention to the lack of a rotatable camera.^[18] The Gamepro review felt some gamers might find the game a little repetitive.^[11] A few reviews noted the lack of any multiplayer options.^[12] Another review noted that navigating the menus can be a little clumsy.^[9]

References

1. ^ Ocampo, Jason (April 27, 2009). "Defense Grid Coming to Retail". IGN. http://pc.ign.com/articles/976/976764p1.html. Retrieved 2009-04-28. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Official Defense Grid: The Awakening page". Hidden Path Entertainment. http://defensegrid.hiddenpath.com/node/185. 
3. ^ Defense Grid: The Awakening Product Information, Virtual Programming. July 7, 2010. Retrieved 2010-8-20.
4. ^ Microsoft GDC '08 Press Release
5. ^ "Defense Grid: The Awakening Released for OS X". MacGamer. July 7, 2010. http://www.macgamer.com/news/defense-grid-awakening-released-os-x. Retrieved 2010-08-20. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d e} Johnathon Ross (December 17 2008). "Destructoid review: Defense Grid: The Awakening". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-defense-grid-the-awakening-114755.phtml. Retrieved 31 March 2010. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Nate Ralph (28 November 2008). "Hands On: Defense Grid Sexes Up the Tower Defense Game". Wired. Condé Nast Digital. http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/11/hands-on-towers/. Retrieved 2 April 2010. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Dave McCoy (May 27, 2009). "From Concept to Execution - The Art of Defense Grid: The Awakening". Gamasutra. Think Services. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4037/from_concept_to_execution__the_.php. Retrieved 31 March 2010. 
9. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Mitchell Dyer (22 January 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening Review". GameShark. Mad Catz, Inc. http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/3191/Defense-Grid-The-Awakening-Review.htm. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
10. ^ ^{a b} Kevin Kelly (2008-08-30). "PAX 2008 hands-on: Defense Grid: The Awakening". Joystiq. Weblogs. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-hands-on-defense-grid-the-awakening/. 
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Sean Ely (2008-12-12). "GamePro Defense Grid: The Awakening review". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. http://gparcade.blogfaction.com/article/106104/review-defense-grid-the-awakening/. 
12. ^ ^{a b c} Brian Edey (9 January 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening on PC". GameFocus. http://gamefocus.ca/?nav=reviewCard&fid=8391. Retrieved 2 April 2010. 
13. ^ Gareth Von Kallenbach (January 15, 2009). "Interview with Defense Grid: The Awakening's Michael Austin". OCModShop.com. http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1458. Retrieved 2 April 2010. 
14. ^ Defense Grid is Now Available on PC, Mac, Xbox 360 & OnLive. Hidden Path Entertainment.
15. ^ "Metacritic Defense Grid: The Awakening". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/defensegridtheawakening. 
16. ^ ^{a b} Jason Ocampo (2008-12-22). "IGN (US) Defense Grid: The Awakening review". IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. http://pc.ign.com/articles/940/940495p1.html. 
17. ^ ^{a b c} Dan Stapleton. "PC Gamer (US) Defense Grid: The Awakening review". PC Gamer. Games Radar. http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/defense-grid-the-awakening/review/defense-grid-the-awakening/a-20090205151720756081/g-2009020515039271009. 
18. ^ ^{a b c} John Lomaga (September 2 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening Review". VGrevolution. http://www.vgrevolution.com/2009/09/defense-grid-the-awakening-review/. Retrieved 31 March 2010. 
19. ^ "Defense Grid: The Awakening - Review". The Gamers Temple. Soltar Enterprises. http://www.gamerstemple.com/games16/001808/001808r01.asp. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
20. ^ ^{a b} James Frazer (13 August 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening". Thunderbolt. http://www.thunderboltgames.com/reviews/article/defense-grid-the-awakening-review-for-pc.html. Retrieved 15 August 2010. 
21. ^ ^{a b} Coop (19 December 2008). "Defense Grid: The Awakening (PC)". Gamervision. http://www.gamervision.com/users/coop/articles/defense_grid_the_awakening_pc_. Retrieved 15 August 2010. 
22. ^ Ryan Langley. "Gamasutra's Best Of 2009: Top 5 Console Downloadable Games". Gamasutra. Think Services. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26346/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2009_Top_5_Console_Downloadable_Games.php. 

External links

• Official website
• Official Defense Grid: The Awakening page at Xbox.com
• Hidden Path Entertainment website
• Microsoft GDC 2008 press release