Dungeon Defenders II

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 13,014 reviews
  • gameplay
  • grinding
  • graphics
Dungeon Defenders II Game Cover
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"Dungeon Defenders II" is a co-operative action tower defense game that combines role-playing elements, allowing 2-4 players to strategically place defenses, battle enemy hordes, and collect loot to reclaim Etheria. Players work together in single-player or multi-player modes with an emphasis on strategic teamwork for success. This engaging and interactive game provides challenges for both casual and hardcore gamers. Protect the lands of Etheria in this thrilling and immersive action-packed adventure.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 13,014 reviews
gameplay348 positive mentions
grinding729 negative mentions
  • gameplay981 mentions

    The gameplay of Dungeon Defenders II is a mix of tower defense and action RPG elements, praised for its cooperative mechanics and vibrant graphics. However, many players find the learning curve steep, with a grind-heavy progression system that can lead to repetitive gameplay. While the core mechanics are engaging, the game is often criticized for its monetization strategies and lack of depth compared to its predecessor, Dungeon Defenders I.

    • “Dungeon Defenders II excels in cooperative gameplay, offering a unique blend of tower defense and action RPG elements.”
    • “The cooperative tower defense gameplay is a perfect recipe for endless fun and teamwork.”
    • “The gameplay itself is quite fun, but when after a 15-minute gameplay session you have to spend another 15 minutes sorting out the inventory, looking at each one by one to see what marginal upgrade you can find, for 4 different characters and their different towers...”
    • “It's a fun mix of tower defense and hack and slash gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay itself is very boring; you are just spamming attacks and some spells to kill health bars with a model under them.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is solid, but farming shards really kills the enjoyment of progression.”
  • grinding744 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively grindy and often tedious. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, especially when playing with friends, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to repetitive gameplay and a sense of frustration. The game requires substantial time investment to unlock characters and gear, often necessitating the use of distractions like videos or chats to alleviate the monotony of grinding.

    • “Fun, not that grindy.”
    • “Very fun to play and not that grindy.”
    • “These wyvern tokens aren't too grindy to earn.”
    • “I enjoy many games that require grinding for a bit, but any sort of progress requires an insane amount of grinding.”
    • “The game isn't necessarily that fun playing without a distraction for the repetitive grinding, therefore I would highly recommend finding players to chat with or to watch a show.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is solid but farming shards really kills the enjoyment of progression.”
  • graphics627 mentions

    The graphics of Dungeon Defenders II receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant, colorful art style and improved visual quality compared to its predecessor. However, some players feel that the new aesthetic is less appealing and more cartoonish, detracting from the charm of the original game. Additionally, performance issues and optimization concerns have been noted, impacting the overall experience for some users.

    • “Dungeon Defenders II looks really great; I am a lover of this style of graphics.”
    • “The graphics are bright and colorful, and the characters are so charming and quirky, you can't help but love them.”
    • “The graphics and designs clearly target young people, so I would call it immoral at best, outright evil at worst.”
    • “The art style is for the most part a downgrade from the first game even if the model and texture quality is objectively higher; it just isn't as interesting to look at.”
    • “The graphics seem to be less in quality than the first game.”
    • “The graphics are abysmal and are worse than Dungeon Defenders 1, and there are no servers to join.”
  • story573 mentions

    The story in Dungeon Defenders II is generally perceived as weak and lacking depth, with many players noting that it feels more like a series of missions rather than a cohesive narrative. While some appreciate the game's atmosphere and the basic premise of defending crystals, others criticize the short campaign and repetitive gameplay that follows, leading to a grind-focused experience rather than an engaging story. Overall, the game seems to prioritize gameplay mechanics over storytelling, leaving many players wanting a more substantial narrative.

    • “There is extra campaign but it does not add to the story; that said, the short story is incredible, truly a work of art, and I would like to give my sincerest thanks to the developers for making such a beautiful game.”
    • “Even its story is not directed by Michael Bay, it is still enjoyable and at some points, immersive. I love the atmosphere of the short story of the game.”
    • “The story content is there albeit short, but there's enough additional modes and huge diversity in heroes, enemies, maps, and weapons that I have barely touched with under 10 hours, and I can see it keeping an optimistic person like me playing 3-4 hour sessions fairly regularly.”
    • “Especially the way levels are formatted, I can't even tell if the game has any sort of natural progression or story because it's all spread across like 8 different tabs with no explanation as to what any of them mean or what I'm supposed to be doing.”
    • “The story content is there albeit short, but there's enough additional modes and huge diversity in heroes, enemies, maps, and weapons that I have barely touched with under 10 hours and I can see it keeping an optimistic person like me playing 3-4 hour sessions fairly regularly.”
    • “The story is lacking, and it really is just a re-make of the first dungeon defenders with many improvements and updates.”
  • monetization252 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the overwhelming presence of microtransactions that often feel predatory. While some reviews acknowledge that the game can be played without spending money, the reliance on in-game purchases for progression and character access has left a sour taste for many, leading to a perception that gameplay is secondary to monetization. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game's free-to-play model is heavily burdened by aggressive monetization tactics, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “As a free-to-play game, there's actually a decent amount of flexibility for players who wouldn't usually purchase microtransactions.”
    • “Overall, it's worth a try for fans of the genre, but its monetization approach may not appeal to everyone.”
    • “Yes, there are microtransactions in the game that are a little steep on their prices, but you don't have to spend money on this game to get the most out of it.”
    • “Absolute dumpster fire money grab littered with microtransactions.”
    • “But it very quickly turned out into a heartless cash grab where monetization is the core of the game and gameplay is secondary (don't even consider having fun, that's not allowed).”
    • “The game has become entirely dependent on microtransactions to such an extent that it's actually making it harder to play the game.”
  • stability208 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting severe bugs, frequent crashes, and significant performance issues such as freezing and lag. Many players express frustration over persistent glitches that disrupt gameplay, including problems with item management and server connectivity. While some acknowledge the game's potential and enjoyable mechanics, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “I enjoy the mechanics and the art style, and the game is relatively bug-free.”
    • “Fun to play with friends and overall runs great and is addicting to play!”
    • “Runs great for an early access game.”
    • “This game is so buggy most of my hours are waiting for the game to load properly or resetting because of bugs.”
    • “Every single time I try to do something, the game either freezes or locks up mid-process and won't let me do anything but shut down the game and start over.”
    • “The game is buggy, and they removed the range stats making solo play a lot harder.”
  • optimization124 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting persistent performance issues such as frame stuttering, lag, and audio crackling. While some users noted improvements over time, the consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, particularly for lower-end systems, and suffers from bugs that detract from the overall experience. Despite its fun gameplay, the optimization challenges have left many players frustrated and calling for further enhancements.

    • “I think I've embraced that stat and gear optimization is part of the challenge of the game.”
    • “It's very well optimized and you never get tired of the levels because there are so many options.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic; with unique yet familiar enemies and its well-optimized engine does well for the title.”
    • “After playing for a while, it baffles me how unoptimized this game is after all the years it's been up, how predatory it has become in its monetization, and how confusing it has gotten with the progression...”
    • “The performance is just garbage; it suffers from FPS drops and lag spikes.”
    • “Performance issues prevent me from playing; the game crawls to a constant stuttering and audio crackling freezing experience.”
  • humor77 mentions

    The humor in "Dungeon Defenders II" is widely appreciated, with players noting its comedic elements and funny moments, especially when playing with friends. While some animations and gameplay aspects may become repetitive or frustrating, the game's lighthearted tone and quirky characters contribute to an enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor adds a charming layer to the gameplay, making it a fun choice for casual play.

    • “Welcome to the hilarious chaos of Dungeon Defenders II!”
    • “It's the perfect blend of tower defense and action RPG, with a healthy dose of humor and charm thrown in for good measure.”
    • “The game is really fun: it's challenging, it's really fun to play (with friends or alone), you can make friends on it, and the enemies look really funny.”
    • “The gameplay lacks humor entirely; it's neither dynamic nor deep.”
    • “You're not funny!”
  • replayability66 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a significant amount of replayability, with many players noting the fun and enjoyable gameplay that encourages repeated playthroughs. While some reviews highlight a lack of variety and depth compared to its predecessor, Dungeon Defenders 1, many still appreciate the ongoing content updates and diverse character options that enhance replay value. However, a few users express concerns about the grindiness and limited map variety, suggesting that while the game is enjoyable, it may not sustain long-term engagement for everyone.

    • “A simple game with vast replayability, and the developers continued to work on the game despite it has been released for quite some time now.”
    • “Dungeon Defenders II is an amazing game, the graphics are good, the storyline is acceptable, and content replayability is phenomenal.”
    • “There are 10 beautifully rendered maps to play on, with multiple levels of difficulty, and the loot system is fleshed out enough to offer hours of replayability.”
    • “I hate to say it, but Dungeon Defenders 1 has way more content and replayability.”
    • “Dd2 lacks trading, map variety, and end game replayability.”
    • “After playing 34 hours, I can already say that I'm bored of running NM4 Incursion and NM4 Necro, and that there's no real replay value here.”
  • music58 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its captivating and energetic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. While some feel it can become repetitive, others appreciate its nostalgic ties to previous titles in the series and find it enjoyable enough to listen to outside of the game. Overall, the music is considered one of the stronger aspects, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and engagement.

    • “I love this game; the color and the music are very captivating.”
    • “And they’re fighting in these beautiful, vibrant levels with incredible music that’ll make you feel like you’re saving the world, even though it’s mostly just shiny crystals.”
    • “The soundtrack is very reminiscent of the old Dungeon Defenders, with the melody slightly changed, but you can still feel the sounds from the old DD's, giving it that slightly humble nostalgic feeling.”
    • “The new art style, the maps, the music, nothing was quite the same, but worse.”
    • “Audio-wise, there is nothing much; the voices are fine but are sort of irrelevant here, while the music is fine and fits the theme too.”
    • “Also, the music gets repetitive very fast.”
  • emotional19 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing deep attachment and nostalgia for previous titles, while others feel alienated and frustrated by the current gameplay experience. Many reviews highlight a sense of community that ranges from supportive to toxic, contributing to a rollercoaster of feelings, including joy from new features and heartbreak over grind mechanics. Overall, players appreciate the potential for fun and connection but are often left feeling disappointed or overwhelmed by the game's challenges.

    • “An amazing game with such a wholesome and kind community!”
    • “Overall a fun game but kinda heartbreaking, wish I never met it.”
    • “I cried.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive, cozy, and magical qualities, reminiscent of a storybook setting. Players appreciate the vibrant, cartoonish visuals and engaging sound design, which contribute to a fun and relaxing experience, especially when playing with friends. Despite some technical issues, the overall ambiance is considered a standout feature that enhances the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The original game had this cozy and fun atmosphere with simple gameplay elements that resulted in a lot of fun with friends.”
    • “The cartoony feel of the land of Etheria and the heroes themselves works very well to convey a storybook-type atmosphere.”
    • “Though I'd like to admit that the atmosphere in the prequel was way cozier.”
    • “Open tavern creates some negative feedback on the community as a whole and the reporting system might as well not exist; which leads to a very immature atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is magical and charming.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its engaging third-person perspective and unique design elements, which enhance the overall experience. However, some players feel that the removal of distinctive weapon and armor traits has led to a more bland character progression. Overall, the character design is well-received, contributing positively to the gameplay.

    • “Especially that it includes third person and actual character development unlike any other TD game.”
    • “I like the character design, as it just looks fitting.”
    • “Interesting character development.”
    • “They removed a lot of unique weapon and armor traits, which makes character development feel bland.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

38hMedian play time
232hAverage play time
9-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 100 analyzed playthroughs

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