Defense Grid: The Awakening
| Defense Grid: The Awakening | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Hidden Path Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Hidden Path Entertainment (Win) Microsoft Studios (XBLA) Virtual Programming (OS X) |
| Distributor(s) | Aspyr Media (retail) |
| Designer(s) | Michael Austin |
| Engine | Gamebryo |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
Microsoft Windows
|
| Genre(s) | Tower defense |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Aggregate score | |
|---|---|
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | 81/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Destructoid | 7/10 |
| GamePro | 4.5/5 |
| IGN | 8.9/10 |
| PC Gamer (US) | 90% |
| VGrevolution | 8/10 |
| PC Advisor | 4.5/5 |
| GameFocus | 9/10 |
| GameShark | B+ |
| The Gamers' Temple | 80% |
| Thunderbolt Games | 8/10 |
| Gamervision | 8/10 |
| Award | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Award |
| PC Gamer | Editor's Choice badge |
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. 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.
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.
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.
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. Towers cannot be destroyed by the enemies.
Good tower placement is the key strategic object of the game. 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. 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. Depending on the tower type an upgrade will provide a more powerful attack, an increased rate of fire and increased range. Tower strength is denoted by the colours green, yellow and red. Towers may be sold (removed) if resources are needed or a player wants to alter pathways. Resources earn interest with the rate increasing the more resources are obtained. 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.
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Wikipedia