Dungeon Defenders: Awakened

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

68%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

stability, grinding

66% User Score Based on 3,472 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 6 reviews

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About

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Chromatic Games and was released on May 28, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"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.

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+32

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66%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,472 reviews

graphics95 positive mentions

stability146 negative mentions

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original game, with familiar characters and maps.
The game features numerous quality of life improvements, such as auto-loot and a shared experience system for heroes, making it more accessible for new players.
The graphics and overall presentation have been significantly upgraded, providing a visually appealing experience.

The game has been criticized for a lack of content compared to the original Dungeon Defenders, with many maps being recycled and fewer unique features.
There are numerous bugs and technical issues, including problems with enemy AI, UI glitches, and performance drops, which detract from the overall experience.
The decision to cap tower attack speeds and reduce enemy spawn counts to accommodate the Nintendo Switch has led to a less challenging and engaging gameplay experience.

graphics
359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
68%
6%
The graphics of "Dungeon Defenders: Awakened" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the updated visuals and improved lighting effects that enhance the overall aesthetic. While some players appreciate the vibrant and polished art style, others feel it lacks the charm of the original game, describing it as overly shiny or sterile. Overall, the game is seen as a graphical upgrade from its predecessor, but opinions vary on whether this enhancement compensates for perceived shortcomings in gameplay and content.
- “Visually, the game strikes a pleasant balance between cartoonish charm and polished 3D graphics.”
- “The art style retains the lighthearted tone of the franchise, making it approachable for players of all ages while maintaining enough detail to keep longer sessions visually stimulating.”
- “The graphics are improved and updated, but there is something about it that doesn't sit well with me, and it might be the post-processing effects and filters or it may be the way everything looks a little like rubber or plastic.”
- “The graphics are worse than the decade-old Dungeon Defenders one, and everything is super small scale and boring.”
- “I kickstarted a game that was supposed to be the definitive enhanced re-imagining of Dungeon Defenders, and what we're left with is muddy graphics, terrible design choices, and a lack of understanding from the developers who focused on making a mobile game accessible on Steam.”
- “The graphics in this game are definitely overall worse than in Dungeon Defenders 1.”
gameplay
328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The gameplay of "Dungeon Defenders: Awakened" is a mix of tower defense and action RPG elements, allowing players to strategically place defenses while engaging enemies directly. While the core mechanics are generally enjoyable and reminiscent of the original game, many players express disappointment over unbalanced gameplay, technical issues, and a lack of content compared to previous installments. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation but suffers from execution flaws that detract from its potential, leaving both new players and series veterans with mixed feelings.
- “The core gameplay loop in Dungeon Defenders: Awakened revolves around defending a series of increasingly challenging waves of enemies by constructing defensive structures and personally engaging foes with a hero of your choice.”
- “Whether playing solo or with friends, the game delivers hours of satisfying gameplay that challenges players to think tactically while keeping their reflexes sharp.”
- “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.”
- “It's a shame the gameplay doesn't match up to it, though.”
- “The gameplay gets highly repetitive at later-game stages, when you are experienced enough to roll most content first try.”
stability
147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note improvements since launch, many still describe it as a "buggy mess" that feels unfinished and unpolished, with issues ranging from UI problems to game-breaking glitches. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial fixes and optimizations before it can be recommended for play.
- “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 Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the endgame where significant time investment yields minimal rewards. While some appreciate the depth and potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay through loot farming and character progression, others feel that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially when it becomes a chore rather than a fun challenge. Quality of life improvements have been noted, but the core experience remains heavily focused on grinding, which may not appeal to all players.
- “Grinding in this game is a rewarding experience that keeps you engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is intense, but it feels satisfying to see your character grow stronger.”
- “I appreciate how grinding allows me to explore different strategies and playstyles.”
- “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 grinding can put the game to a halt though.”
- “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.”
story
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels like a rehash of content from the original Dungeon Defenders, lacking depth and character development. While some appreciate the updated graphics and the attempt to create a new narrative, others feel that the story is underwhelming and serves primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay. Overall, it seems that players looking for a rich lore experience may be disappointed, as the story is often described as basic and lacking in meaningful engagement.
- “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.”
- “I think with some polish this game can be as good as DD1 and not only allow us to relive the original storyline albeit somewhat altered, it also sets up for a continuation of the storyline and gameplay we all loved.”
- “The cherished story is back again with its delightful cel-shaded visuals and sound design that packs a punch, although it is hurt by repetition and lack of variance.”
- “The story, while serviceable, takes a backseat to gameplay and lacks the narrative weight or character development seen in some other RPGs, which may disappoint players looking for a richer lore experience.”
- “The story feels like it has no meaning, like it's thrown together in bits and pieces with little to no character development and very little customization.”
- “Go fuck yourself chromatic and go fuck yourself trendy, I issued a refund and I'm getting my money back from you for false advertising a game that is supposed to be unique from 'dd1' with an 'in between dd1 and dd2's story' when literally no fucking joke the 15 maps that are available to you encompass the same maps you play in dd1 with the same fucking story.”
optimization
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
58%
33%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on many hardware configurations with stable frame rates and minimal loading times, significant issues plague the multiplayer experience and higher difficulty levels. Many players report performance drops, especially during intense gameplay, and express frustration over the game's downgrade to accommodate a Switch port, which has negatively impacted the PC version. Despite some positive notes on performance updates, the consensus leans towards the game being poorly optimized, particularly in its online co-op mode.
- “From a technical perspective, the game runs smoothly on most hardware configurations, with stable frame rates and minimal loading times.”
- “1) Optimization (FPS), I am playing on a laptop with a GTX 980M and an i7-4710HQ inside, which was a high-end GPU and CPU in the laptop market 5+ years ago, and it runs super good on 1080p and epic settings on my machine.”
- “When I first played DD2 it was an awesome game and I wanted to know if they are going to make a third one, so I found the Kickstarter of this game and was like this game looks awesome I want to buy it when it comes to available to buy 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
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
13%
82%
The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly criticized by users, who describe it as a blatant cash grab with minimal content and numerous bugs. Many reviewers express disappointment in the developers for prioritizing profit over quality, citing a lack of genuine support and updates for the game, while others recommend sticking to the original title or alternatives that offer better value without microtransactions. Overall, the sentiment is that the game fails to deliver on its promises and feels like a rushed attempt to capitalize on nostalgia.
- “The microtransactions are manageable and completely optional; if you don't want to spend money, just play the second 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.”
- “Unfortunately, I feel like it's just a cash grab.”
- “A game that could have been excellent abandoned by its devs for multiple other cash grabs.”
- “This game was just another cash grab that fans have fallen for.”
replayability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
45%
9%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by a satisfying loot system and engaging mechanics that encourage experimentation and grinding. While some players note limitations due to character variety and execution flaws, many find the game to be infinitely replayable, especially with ongoing updates and patches. The combination of nostalgic elements and cooperative gameplay further enhances its replay value, making it appealing for fans of the genre.
- “The loot system, while not as RNG-heavy as some action RPGs, still offers a satisfying variety that encourages experimentation and replayability.”
- “If you like grinding games with a lot of replay value and loot, this is the game for you.”
- “It has so much charm and little details that make the game replayable through and through.”
- “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.”
- “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 and level 30 on huntress and monk (created them later). Why would someone play these characters if they are all evolved?”
- “All this making replayability a bit limited.”
music
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
62%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic battle themes and immersive sound design that complements gameplay, while others criticize the reliance on recycled tracks from previous titles, leading to a lack of originality. Although the soundtrack is generally considered enjoyable, it is described as less memorable and not significantly improved from earlier versions, with some users noting issues like missing music in certain levels. Overall, while the music enhances the experience for many, it falls short of expectations for those seeking fresh compositions.
- “The sound design effectively complements the gameplay with energetic battle music and clear audio cues for enemy actions and tower placements, enhancing the overall immersion without becoming repetitive or intrusive.”
- “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 content 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.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the quirky character interactions, amusing cutscenes, and unexpected ragdoll physics that lead to hilarious moments. While some appreciate the comedic elements and funny character designs, others feel that the humor doesn't quite match the charm of the original game, citing a lack of engaging dialogue and memorable one-liners. Overall, the game offers a blend of laugh-out-loud moments and frustrating inconsistencies that can detract from 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.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
Overall, character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that the narrative lacks depth and meaningful progression. While some appreciate the return to original character designs and enhanced art styles, others criticize the overall character development as insufficient and disappointing compared to other RPGs. Customization options are also noted as limited, further detracting from the potential for richer character experiences.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The story, while serviceable, takes a backseat to gameplay and lacks the narrative weight or character development seen in some other RPGs, which may disappoint players looking for a richer lore experience.”
- “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.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions, with some players expressing strong dissatisfaction and recommending against engaging with the developer, while others highlight a more positive experience, describing it as an emotional rollercoaster that offers wholesome fun. Overall, the emotional responses range from frustration to enjoyment, indicating a polarized reception.
- “75$ Kickstarter backer here - so far, this game has given me an emotional rollercoaster.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its engaging storytelling and immersive pacing, successfully recapturing the essence of its predecessor while introducing quality-of-life improvements. While some reviewers note a shift towards a more serious tone, the overall ambiance remains appealing, enhanced by friendly gameplay elements like individual chests for players. The combination of character depth and visual design contributes to a captivating experience that keeps players invested.
- “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.”
- “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 features, 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 gotta set the atmosphere right as well to keep people invested. Otherwise, it'd be easier to just make a game and ignore a story.”
- “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.”

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72%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

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89h Median play time

184h Average play time

12-250h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is a role playing game.

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and others.

On average players spend around 184 hours playing Dungeon Defenders: Awakened.

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened was released on May 28, 2020.

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened was developed by Chromatic Games.

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Dungeon Defenders II, Torchlight III, Clicker Heroes 2, Wayfinder, Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem and others.

Dungeon Defenders: Awakened

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