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Defiance

Defiance, like its TV Show counter-part, offers a vast and diverse world for you to explore.
Defiance Game Cover
67%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
74% User Score Based on 6,279 reviews
Critic Score 66%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

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Defiance Game Cover

About

Defiance is a multiplayer role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Trion Worlds and was released on June 4, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Defiance is a massively multiplayer science fiction shooter game with good story and graphics, offering both co-op and competitive gameplay. Scavenge for alien technology on a transformed Earth, equip powerful weapons, and engage in epic battles while leveling up and forming alliances. Despite some bugs and grinding, Defiance delivers a unique and often humorous, action-packed experience.

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Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
Defiance screenshot
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74%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,279 reviews
story417 positive mentions
stability170 negative mentions
  • Defiance offers a fun and engaging open-world experience with a variety of weapons and abilities, reminiscent of Borderlands.
  • The game features dynamic events and cooperative gameplay, allowing players to team up and tackle missions together.
  • Despite some bugs and server issues, the game has a dedicated community and provides hours of entertainment for free.
  • The game suffers from significant lag and server instability, making it frustrating to play during peak times.
  • Many players report repetitive missions and a lack of meaningful content updates, leading to boredom over time.
  • The monetization model is criticized for being pay-to-win, with essential content locked behind expensive DLC and microtransactions.
  • story
    1,911 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Defiance" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its integration with the TV series and the engaging main storyline, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. The game features a variety of missions, including main quests, side missions, and episodic content that ties into the show, but many players find the quest structure formulaic, often revolving around similar objectives like killing enemies or collecting items. Overall, while the narrative has its moments and can be enjoyable, it tends to suffer from predictability and bugs that can disrupt the experience.

    • “The kind of world where every corner told a story, every vista carried weight.”
    • “The rich lore and cross-platform integration provide an immersive experience for those who appreciate science fiction storytelling.”
    • “The story is good and the gameplay is fun.”
    • “The story feels like a child wrote it.”
    • “The writing and story are kinda bad so far, but it's really fun!”
    • “The storyline is lackluster.”
  • gameplay
    627 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Defiance is characterized by its chaotic, open-world shooter mechanics that blend MMO elements with a sci-fi narrative, offering a mix of cooperative and solo play experiences. While many players appreciate the dynamic events and weapon customization, criticisms often highlight repetitive missions, performance issues, and a reliance on microtransactions, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these drawbacks, the game remains engaging for those who enjoy fast-paced action and cooperative gameplay, particularly when played with friends.

    • “With its open-world gameplay and dynamic events, it immerses players in a futuristic Earth ravaged by alien technology.”
    • “Defiance is an intriguing science fiction-themed shooter that ambitiously blends gameplay elements with a TV series, offering a unique, immersive experience.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced with a good selection of weapon types, special abilities (cloak, speed, overcharge, and decoy), and enemy types.”
    • “While this cooperative aspect adds depth to the experience, some may find the gameplay mechanics a bit unpolished, leading to occasional frustrations.”
    • “The gameplay is like a cheap copy of Gears of War, except they only took the bad aspects.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitious and extraordinarily dull.”
  • graphics
    433 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Defiance" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals can be impressive and detailed in certain aspects, they often feel dated and plagued by bugs. Some users appreciate the art style and overall aesthetic, especially for a free-to-play game, while others criticize the graphical glitches and lack of optimization, leading to a less enjoyable experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as adequate but not groundbreaking, with a consensus that improvements are needed to meet modern standards.

    • “The graphics are great for a game you don't have to pay for, or pay to win.”
    • “The graphics, sound and weapon effects are great.”
    • “The graphics are simply beautiful and the DLC content is not very expensive and you can enjoy playing the game vs being stuck at all points and letting the game just take up space.”
    • “However, this game was nothing more than a graphics overhaul of Rift.”
    • “The graphics are 1990's level graphics and this usually won't stop me from playing a game but the enemy AI is also poor and there was no way to adjust ADS sensitivity.”
    • “The graphics are poor, the storyline is useless and boring with forgettable characters, and the dialogue is Velveeta-level cheesy.”
  • stability
    173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, graphical glitches, and server issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many users describe the game as a "buggy mess," with frequent crashes and lag, making it frustrating to play, especially during missions. While some find charm in the game's quirks, the overwhelming consensus is that its stability issues are a major drawback, impacting enjoyment and gameplay.

    • “This isn't the prettiest game, but it runs great on a dual-core with 8GB RAM and a 2GB 4K video card hooked up to a 4K TV, to give you an idea of what it takes to run Defiance.”
    • “It runs great.”
    • “I don't have a good PC, and it runs great on it.”
    • “A seemingly okay sci-fi action MMORPG, but I ran into a bunch of graphical glitches such as floor textures not loading, which made it really confusing and difficult to find my way around at points.”
    • “The game is filled with visual glitches, such as players disappearing from in front of you and reappearing, which looks quite bad when you have a lot of players blinking as you approach them.”
    • “The game has huge amounts of glitches and contains microtransactions, which was mostly a pain when the game wasn't free-to-play.”
  • grinding
    130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players acknowledging it as a core aspect of the MMORPG experience. While some enjoy the grind for character progression and loot, others find it tedious, repetitive, and at times, excessively time-consuming, leading to frustration, especially when playing solo. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate grinding, but it may deter players seeking a more varied or less grind-heavy experience.

    • “It's free, it's fun, the TV series it's based on is pretty good, the map is easy to remember, not too grindy, has a fun gameplay loop... basically, give it a shot if you're looking for a game to play.”
    • “Lastly, it isn't that grindy as other games of its type.”
    • “The game is grindy, with good loot.”
    • “It quickly devolved into yet another gear grinding minigame with the limited events serving only as a 'bread and circuses' distraction.”
    • “After a while, you will just be grinding away to earn 'credits' to roll for better weapons, etc.”
  • monetization
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is heavily criticized, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to its reliance on microtransactions for progression and cosmetic items. While some appreciate the free-to-play aspect, they express frustration over the imbalance created by in-game purchases, which often feel necessary to fully enjoy the game. Overall, the consensus is that the monetization strategy detracts significantly from the gaming experience, with many players advising against spending money on microtransactions.

    • “The game has a lot of in-game purchases, but it doesn't necessarily throw them in your face, so that's fine.”
    • “It is free to play with microtransactions but still playable.”
    • “I love this game because although it is free, I haven't been pressured into spending any real money, nor have I found anyone seeming really overpowered because they have used microtransactions.”
    • “Such a shame that Defiance 2050 was an epic cash grab.”
    • “The game is all about getting people to buy microtransactions for 'exclusive' loot that doesn't even perform any better than random free loot you can get by playing the game.”
    • “Honestly, it feels like the game is missing half of its initial content; this is an obvious money grab and it's just not worth your time even in this free-to-play form with microtransactions.”
  • music
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising the soundtrack's quality and its ability to enhance gameplay, particularly during combat and exploration. However, several users note that the music can become repetitive and some tracks, especially combat music, are considered annoying or generic. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it may not be enough to elevate the experience for everyone.

    • “So much <3 to Bear McCreary for an outstanding job on the music for the game and for letting it be released for one's listening pleasure now that the game is gone.”
    • “One thing that I found to be surprisingly effective in keeping the game lively was the music.”
    • “The great gameplay, pretty graphics (although not so important), and the amazing soundtrack have already made this game my personal favorite MMO of 2013.”
    • “The quest design is simple: go across the very large open map, shoot some stuff in an area that has predictable spawns for enemies, listen to the same music loop every time, either click on a console in said area, or kill a 'named' mob (same type as every other mob in the area), drive/run back to the other side of the map to turn in.”
    • “The combat music is awful; where am I, a dubstep club or something?”
    • “Terrible soundtrack.”
  • optimization
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as frame rate drops, lag, and server instability, particularly during large battles. While a few users report smooth performance on high-end systems, many criticize the game's overall optimization as poor, with frequent bugs and a reliance on microtransactions exacerbating the experience. Despite these challenges, some players note improvements over time, suggesting that ongoing updates may enhance performance in the future.

    • “The game has come a long way in performance; Trion has worked very hard to mitigate latency and crash-related issues, and it only seems to get progressively better with each update.”
    • “Great game, good gameplay, fun class elements, interesting concept and story, great graphics, fantastic performance.”
    • “Very well optimized with a huge variety of weaponry.”
    • “A very poorly optimized and nearly unplayable mess, to accompany a low-budget show with bad writing.”
    • “The server performance is appalling for a modern game; I've had Korean grind-heavy MMOs more stable 20 years ago on dial-up.”
    • “However, when it comes down to it, I spent 5 hours fighting bad servers, crappy optimization, poor hit registration, laggy mobs, and all the frustration of a game designed for both consoles and PC at the same time.”
  • humor
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is often described as hit-or-miss, with some players finding it amusing, particularly in multiplayer settings where they can laugh at the game's bugs and glitches. Many comparisons to Borderlands highlight a lack of the original's charm and wit, leading to mixed feelings about the comedic elements. While some moments and character interactions can be funny, the overall humor is considered cringy or subpar by others, making it more enjoyable in a group rather than solo.

    • “Non the less my own fault and I don't mind because it was a lot of fun, really fun to shoot mutants and hear the sarcastic humor and the dumb jokes.”
    • “The game has a full narrative, narrated by Chris Parnell, who adds a dark-humorous tone to the game.”
    • “On the upside though, cutscenes in one-off co-op missions are very enjoyable, especially when they are often funny (in a Borderlands-ish way), and they don't seem out of place with the main missions so you start getting a real feel for the characters.”
    • “If this is supposed to be humor, then it's not funny at all.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more cleverness, but the humor is just cringeworthy.”
  • replayability
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is highlighted by its multiple modes, exciting quests, and the potential for countless hours of gameplay, making it a favorite among players. However, some reviews point out limitations such as lack of character uniqueness and minimal differences between races, which can hinder long-term engagement. While many players find it highly replayable, others feel it falls short in providing diverse experiences after initial playthroughs.

    • “The game also has multiple modes that add replayability and challenge, such as contracts mode, sniper mode, and elusive targets mode.”
    • “It's easily the most replayable shooter I've got in my library.”
    • “Start over my character and never get bored; it's a really replayable game, and because of the random events, it never feels like a repeat of yesterday.”
    • “Falls short with its replayability factor, and the only reason to run dungeons is to obtain unlockable cosmetic gear.”
    • “In short, the lack of character uniqueness, lack of involved character missions, and different classes/races really did hurt the replay value of the game.”
    • “And last, there is no class specialization or specialized class missions, so there is no value in leveling more than one character, which limits replay value.”
  • atmosphere
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its immersive post-apocalyptic setting and social elements that enhance the experience, while others find it lacking in depth and originality. Many appreciate the game's ability to create a living world, with varied landscapes contributing to its overall ambiance, though some feel it falls short compared to similar titles. Overall, the atmosphere is generally regarded as enjoyable, particularly for fans of sci-fi and multiplayer experiences, but opinions vary on its execution and impact.

    • “It adds a nice atmosphere to the game, knowing there are other people around.”
    • “Very atmospheric for a post-apocalyptic game; you will feel yourself in a truly destroyed world and not in paradise.”
    • “It really adds to the game’s atmosphere and perfectly fits in with the world, no matter if you’re in the northern half of the map where grasslands dominate the landscape or the southern half where it looks like a barren wasteland.”
    • “The game's mechanics and outlook seem very outdated; there is less atmosphere than on the moon, and way too many things are hidden behind a pay-to-win wall.”
    • “If you liked Fallout, then you might like this game, but still the plot, landscape, and general atmosphere are all meh.”
    • “It feels a lot like a third-person Borderlands, but minus the atmosphere, characters, and story.”
  • emotional
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mix of emotional responses to the game, ranging from frustration and disappointment due to perceived underpowering and business practices, to nostalgia and excitement from challenging gameplay and unique weaponry. Some players felt deeply moved by specific moments, such as emotional story elements or intense gameplay experiences, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings despite its flaws. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, with some feeling compelled to voice their experiences passionately.

    • “I am not one to write reviews, but this game made me feel like I had to!!!”
    • “The people looked weird, so I ran away, then stuff blew up and I cried.”
    • “This game's last fight difficulty made me feel nostalgic, as I have not met a game that truly challenged me in a fun way like this since my days with a SNES. I love this game and cannot say enough about its quality dev team who rolls out fixes and actually cares about their players and the game content.”
  • character development
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the depth and open-ended nature of the characters. While some users suggest improvements in character design aesthetics, the combination of engaging storylines, good voice acting, and a dedicated player base contributes positively to the overall experience. The game is recommended for those seeking a fun and immersive gameplay experience with solid character development.

    • “It is a great game, a great storyline, character development, open universe, mission or task oriented, and a lot of action.”
    • “I recommend this game to people who are looking for an interesting game with a dedicated player base, character development, and people who are looking for something that will make their wallets happy.”
    • “Love this game; it is balanced as far as weapons and armors, and character development is open-ended.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
    • “The characters don't evolve in a way that feels impactful or engaging.”
    • “I was hoping for deeper character arcs, but they all feel one-dimensional.”
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66%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews
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24h Median play time
87h Average play time
5-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 67 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Defiance is a role playing shooter game with science fiction theme.

Defiance is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

On average players spend around 87 hours playing Defiance.

Defiance was released on June 4, 2014.

Defiance was developed by Trion Worlds.

Defiance has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Defiance is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include RIFT, Fallen Earth, Tom Clancy's The Division, The Elder Scrolls Online, DC Universe Online and others.