Dungeon Defenders: Awakened

Does Dungeon Defenders: Awakened take a strong step forward for the classic tower defense RPG franchise? Our review.

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"Dungeon Defenders: Awakened" is a co-op tower defense action RPG, where players choose from unique heroes to defend Etheria from an ancient evil. With updated visuals and gameplay, players must strategically place defenses and fight against hordes of enemies to protect the precious crystals. Upgrade heroes, collect loot, and survive through endless waves in this thrilling sequel to the original Dungeon Defenders.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,399 reviews

graphics92 positive mentions

stability144 negative mentions

Fun gameplay that combines tower defense and RPG elements.
Nostalgic experience for fans of the original Dungeon Defenders.
Regular updates and community engagement from developers.

Lacks content compared to the original Dungeon Defenders and feels unfinished.
Gameplay has been simplified, making it less challenging and engaging.
Numerous bugs and performance issues, especially in multiplayer.

graphics
353 mentions
26 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Dungeon Defenders: Awakened" have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the updated visuals and improved lighting effects compared to the original game. However, some critics feel that the new art style lacks the charm of its predecessor, describing it as overly shiny or sterile, and expressing disappointment over the perceived downgrade in content and gameplay depth. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered a significant improvement, they are not universally praised, and some players prefer the aesthetic of earlier titles in the series.
- “The graphics are improved and updated, but there is something about it that doesn't sit well with me; it might be the post-processing effects and filters, or it may be the way everything looks a little like rubber or plastic.”
- “Dungeon Defenders Awakened's visual and sound design is a homage to the original game with a delightful soundtrack and enhanced graphics alongside a welcomed change to Unreal Engine 4.”
- “The graphics in this title have easily surpassed its predecessors, taking heavy inspiration from the Dungeon Defenders 1 graphics, but they are much more refined and polished.”
- “They stripped away so much of what made the first game special... even the graphics aren't as charming... this is newer and more expensive than the original but the only reason I can fathom them creating such a downgraded (side-graded at best) version is to try getting in on the mobile market because all they've accomplished is simplifying and streamlining the game they made before.”
- “The graphics are somehow worse than a 360 game, the customization experience is so stripped down that it's ridiculous, the defenses appear to be nerfed, and virtually all of the unique charm/aesthetic is sucked out of it to turn it into a generic low-poly fantasy game.”
- “The graphics in this title have easily surpassed its predecessors, but just because a game looks good, doesn't mean that it plays good, and that's why I and many people are still going back and playing dd1 instead of this game.”
gameplay
310 mentions
31 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Dungeon Defenders: Awakened" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its core mechanics and nostalgic elements reminiscent of the original game, while others criticize it for feeling unfinished and lacking depth compared to its predecessors. While the graphics and some quality-of-life improvements are praised, issues such as balancing, bugs, and a perceived downgrade in gameplay complexity have led to disappointment among fans. Overall, the game offers a solid tower defense experience but is hindered by technical problems and a lack of content that may deter long-term engagement.
- “The gameplay is rather simplistic and at first easy but slowly requires strategic placement of towers and clever movement in order to succeed, alongside the alternative game modes which give every map a new life.”
- “The gameplay is fun, and there's no denying that, but it should be committed to with the understanding that the devs lack integrity as well as respect for how their actions affect their players.”
- “The gameplay is much smoother than dd1, and it has all the original appeal.”
- “The gameplay is also more similar to DD2 than DD1, but instead of blending DD1 and DD2, it has blended DD2 with a slightly new direction that, in my opinion, leaves hero-based combat feeling underwhelming and the overall balance out of whack.”
- “Worse gameplay/mechanics than DD2, too much grind of boring uncharacteristic waves.”
- “It's a terrible shame the game got review bombed due to aspects that have nothing to do with the gameplay.”
stability
145 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience issues such as broken mechanics, UI problems, and game-breaking glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is perceived as unfinished and overly buggy, leading to a recommendation for potential players to wait for further updates and fixes before purchasing.
- “I still recommend this game because it's very fun whenever it's not buggy.”
- “This game is a mess, super buggy, a downgrade from Dungeon Defenders 1.”
- “The game is buggy and unpolished and probably won't be fixed considering it's already been 2 years since launch.”
- “It's a buggy, featureless, shallow, immersion-lacking attempt to build upon everything that was great from Dungeon Defenders 1.”
grinding
133 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the endgame where farming for gear can feel unrewarding. While some appreciate the depth and replayability that grinding offers, others express frustration over the lack of meaningful progression and the repetitive nature of the tasks required to achieve certain achievements. Overall, the game caters to those who enjoy grind-heavy experiences, but it may deter casual players seeking a more balanced gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I'm not grinding to level 90 just to put on gear I should be able to already equip.”
- “My main issue with the game is the redundant grinding required to achieve some of the achievements, namely the one requiring several different character builds to be at least level 105.”
- “The fun in finding an item of high rarity has since been ruined, which in turn, ruins the fun of grinding wave after wave for drops.”
- “As a casual player, it sucks to just spend a weekend grinding one map for small incremental upgrades that barely do anything.”
story
99 mentions
13 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The story in "Dungeon Defenders: Awakened" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels like a rehash of the original game's narrative, lacking depth and character development. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and updated graphics, others criticize the limited content and repetitive missions, suggesting that the story does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, players express a desire for more substantial story content and character arcs in future updates.
- “I loved the characters' new models and how each cutscene had a very good backstory and a few funny bits.”
- “The story takes you back in time as we are thrown into the old DD1 maps with a new refreshing graphic and a twist to the story but still keeping the same characters and monsters we knew from the past DD games, an honest story and remake of DD1 perfectly aligning.”
- “It really does justice to Dungeon Defenders 1; being a small team, Chromatic Games did a fantastic job. I'm curious to see where the story goes, and I'm waiting for new maps and heroes. Keep up the good work!”
- “The latest update did not contribute to the story at all.”
- “Once you beat the main story, which is 80% reused content from DD1, that's it.”
- “The story feels like it has no meaning, like it's thrown together in bits and pieces with little to no character development.”
optimization
59 mentions
8 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
34 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially during multiplayer sessions and high-intensity gameplay. Users have noted that the game feels downgraded, particularly on PC, due to limitations imposed for the Switch port, resulting in lower frame rates and increased bugs. While some players experienced smooth performance on lower settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and requires substantial improvements to meet player expectations.
- “Let's say this game has the potential to be the most promising cooperative action tower defense game of the year if these issues were to be optimized.”
- “I would rather like to have one well-optimized game instead of a downgraded PC version and a mediocre Switch port.”
- “When I first played DD2, it was an awesome game and I wanted to know if they are going to make a third one. I found the Kickstarter of this game and was like, this game looks awesome! I want to buy it when it becomes available, and now I got it and it was amazing. It runs smoothly, looks awesome, and works perfectly. Even at this point, I have no complaints about the game; I think it's in good hands and has an awesome future.”
- “The multiplayer, on the other hand, is not optimized at all.”
- “The biggest problem to keep in mind is that any future updates that will be released will be optimized for the Switch version, meaning the PC version will take a hit.”
- “Long time fan, owned every Dungeon Defenders on pretty much every platform and all the DLCs, this is honestly one of the most buggy, unoptimized games I've ever played. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.”
monetization
49 mentions
6 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it as a blatant cash grab that prioritizes profit over quality and player experience. Reviewers express disappointment in the game's balance and content, often comparing it unfavorably to its predecessors, and they are skeptical about the developers' promises regarding microtransactions and future updates. Overall, the sentiment is that the game feels unfinished and exploitative, leading to a lack of trust in the developers.
- “If you don't want to spend the money, just play the second one. The microtransactions are manageable and completely optional; hell, the player base is double the size of this one.”
- “It's like a hybrid of the first and second Dungeon Defenders without all the microtransactions.”
- “All the fun of Dungeon Defenders without the microtransactions of DD2.”
- “The game is an absolute cash grab.”
- “This is a cash grab and disgusts me as someone who has family that are game devs; this is a joke and pure manipulation of the player base.”
- “Less content than the original... more bugs... 40 dollar tag... 4.5 hours to beat the game and no bosses or anything else to do besides max. I was hoping to enjoy the game like I did back then, but this is just a cash grab.”
music
34 mentions
29 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting, while others criticize it for being largely recycled from previous titles without significant originality or memorable elements. While the tavern music and certain tracks are highlighted as standout pieces, many players express disappointment over the lack of new compositions and the presence of technical issues affecting music playback. Overall, the music is described as adequate but not groundbreaking, with a desire for more innovative and original soundscapes.
- “The game is much more beautiful and the tavern music is a banger.”
- “Dungeon Defenders Awakened's visual and sound design is a homage to the original game with a delightful soundtrack and enhanced graphics alongside a welcomed change to Unreal Engine 4.”
- “This game has an amazing soundtrack by the same person who made the OST for DD1 (and DD2 I believe!).”
- “Changes feel questionable or random; they added two new acts to the campaign, and they are the most random assortment of crap possible. Some of them have pathfinding bugs and even missing content where levels don't play music properly or have no enemy path previews.”
- “Also, no new music, just the same old songs, not even remixes or built-upon versions.”
- “Music and sound is brief.”
replayability
33 mentions
42 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting its endless grinding potential, diverse loot systems, and engaging mechanics that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some users express a desire for more character options and content updates to enhance replay value, the current experience is still considered enjoyable and addictive, particularly in co-op mode. Frequent patches and improvements from the development team further contribute to its lasting appeal.
- “If you like grinding games with a lot of replay value and loot, this is the game for you.”
- “I love this game because of its immense amount of replay value and action tower defense style.”
- “It has addictive RTS meets tower defense mechanics, this with the 4 player co-op creates a great replayable experience.”
- “Perhaps in the future when the game receives more content updates, there will be some more changes to the game that add more depth and replayability, but for now it's pretty much just a nice nostalgic gimmick of a game that could have been much more.”
- “The obvious solution for replayability is to remove the stupid multi-character leveling.”
- “That kills replayability; you have 4 characters in the base game and 4 cards, so... well, let me explain like this: I only played as the apprentice and I'm level 35 with him, with the squire at level 30 and the huntress and monk created later. Why would someone play these characters if they are all evolved?”
humor
15 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its funny character interactions, amusing cutscenes, and unexpected moments, such as ragdoll physics and quirky enemy behaviors. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into gameplay, though some feel that the humor does not compensate for the game's shortcomings compared to its predecessor. Overall, while there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, opinions vary on whether the humor is enough to elevate the overall experience.
- “Great game, great developers, Phil falling off the map is still funny.”
- “I loved the characters' new models and how each cutscene had a very good backstory and a few funny bits.”
- “Sometimes this is funny ragdoll reactions (stools shooting away at 100mph in the tavern when you bump into them), sometimes it's enemies zooming across the map despite their slow walking animations.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players express deep disappointment and frustration, recommending against engaging with the game or its developer, others highlight a more positive experience, describing it as an emotional rollercoaster that offers wholesome fun. Overall, the emotional responses range from negative to uplifting, reflecting a divide in player experiences.
- “75$ Kickstarter backer here - so far, this game has given me an emotional rollercoaster.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its engaging storytelling and immersive environment, successfully recapturing the essence of its predecessor while introducing quality-of-life improvements. Although some users find the tone to be more serious compared to earlier settings, the overall ambiance, enhanced graphics, and features like individual player chests contribute to a friendly and enjoyable experience.
- “DD1 was a nicely paced game with wonderful pacing, quite a few heroes, fantastic atmosphere, character, and plenty of content.”
- “This game recaptures the DD1 atmosphere and feeling while adding some nice quality of life improvements, like the hero deck from DD2 (all heroes in your deck gain XP, and you can swap heroes in and out of your deck).”
- “There's more to a story than just the words; you have to set the atmosphere right as well to keep people invested. Otherwise, it would be easier to just make a game and ignore a story.”
- “The atmosphere is a bit more lame and serious than previous settings, but I still like the towers and graphics.”
- “To absorb the atmosphere of DD1 and to transition it into DD:A.”
character development
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that it lacks depth and meaningful progression, while others appreciate the return to original character designs and enhanced art styles. Overall, there is a sentiment that the story feels disjointed and that customization options are limited, leading to a perception of character development as a missed opportunity.
- “Overall though they seem to be staying on top of squishing bugs and I do enjoy the character development and challenges they've brought on.”
- “Now we have DDA, which sees a return to the original character designs, an enhanced art style that pops like DD1's did (only perhaps less 'glowy' if you know what I mean, but still looks good if not way better), and even many of the original locations/maps - plus some new maps added in.”
- “Character design feels like a downgrade across the board.”
- “The story feels like it has no meaning, like it's thrown together in bits and pieces with little to no character development (not that I was expecting a whole lot) and very little customization.”
- “Every attempt since has been meh... changing the character design was probably their biggest mistake.”