Fortified

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 290 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Fortified Game Cover
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"Fortified is a thrilling strategy shooter set in a 1950s retro sci-fi world, where players defend Earth from a Martian invasion. Combining third-person shooter, real-time strategy, and tower defense mechanics, players can enjoy single-player, co-op, or multiplayer modes, building defenses and wielding an arsenal of Cold War-era weapons. Protect the city against towering attackers and experience an exciting blend of gameplay styles for a unique and immersive adventure."

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 290 reviews
graphics30 positive mentions
story6 negative mentions
  • Fun and engaging gameplay, especially when played with friends.
  • Unique 1950s sci-fi aesthetic with varied character abilities and enemy types.
  • Challenging tower defense mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and teamwork.
  • Frequent crashes and dead online multiplayer make solo play frustrating.
  • Lack of depth in gameplay mechanics and limited tower options lead to repetitive experiences.
  • Poorly balanced difficulty spikes and lack of content can make progression feel tedious.
  • graphics70 mentions

    The graphics of Fortified are widely praised for their unique 1950s sci-fi aesthetic, featuring a retro comic book art style that enhances the game's charm and appeal. While some reviewers noted that the environments can be bland and the graphics occasionally lackluster, the overall visual presentation, including character designs and animations, is considered top-notch and contributes significantly to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere. The combination of vibrant visuals and a nostalgic theme makes it stand out in the tower defense genre.

    • “And the graphics with this 'retro comic-book' style are amazing!!”
    • “The golden-age comic art style and the retro 50's sci-fi look were instant likes for me.”
    • “Graphics, effects, and overall atmosphere are beautiful; the game has all attributes of the Martian madness era.”
    • “Pretty lackluster graphics.”
    • “There are about 12 traps and weapons in total per character, some of which are repetitive. The graphics are mediocre, the gameplay feels slow at times and then nearly impossible during the very next wave. The humor is dry and predictable, and each character has about three pieces of dialogue that they just continuously repeat.”
    • “The game also lacks 'trap spots' in the same way as Orcs Must Die, which keeps players from creating such aesthetically pleasing and deadly choke points.”
  • gameplay68 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a blend of simple mechanics and a retro 1950s alien invasion aesthetic, making it accessible yet somewhat shallow, especially for seasoned tower defense fans. While the game offers a fun and challenging experience, particularly in multiplayer, it suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of depth in mechanics and content. Overall, it provides a solid, enjoyable experience, especially when played with others, but may feel limited for those seeking more complexity.

    • “Fortified has a fun 1950's alien invasion aesthetic, four heroes ripped from the pages of a pulp novel/golden age comic, and plenty of fun gameplay.”
    • “Neat graphics and character concepts, varied and intuitive gameplay, dozens of ways to splat aliens.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, just try to play it with at least one other person if you possibly can.”
    • “Those same simplified mechanics that make the game accessible sadly also make things rather shallow.”
    • “Some animations are a little too stiff, the characters repeat the same few lines all the time during gameplay, and the game doesn't have that many traps, weapons, and maps (12 for campaign mode).”
    • “The gameplay does get a little bit repetitive towards the later stages of the game as you get used to the different types of enemies.”
  • story40 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that the campaign feels more like a series of disconnected missions rather than a cohesive narrative. While some find amusement in the simplistic backstory and characters, the overall consensus is that players should not expect a significant story experience, especially in single-player mode. The focus is primarily on gameplay mechanics and mission completion rather than storytelling.

    • “I was somewhat amused by the hokey story and characters.”
    • “I kinda wish the campaign had a more progressive story cut-scene between each level.”
    • “Other than that, the only thing I have an issue with is the campaign; it seems a bit long and drawn out, and there isn't really an overall narrative or story to speak of, it's more just a series of missions.”
    • “No story during the campaign.”
    • “Other than that the only thing I have an issue with is the campaign; it seems a bit long and drawn out, and there isn't really an overall narrative or story to speak of, it's more just a series of missions.”
    • “There is literally no story there other than a lackluster backstory.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing during co-op play and appreciating the quirky dialogue and flailing robot designs. However, many criticize the humor as dry, predictable, and repetitive, with limited character dialogue that detracts from the overall experience. While there are moments of comedic charm, the execution often falls flat amidst gameplay frustrations.

    • “The flailing robot designs are a fantastic homage to the era that inspired them, and they are straight up hilarious to annihilate.”
    • “+ dialog and phrases are funny to listen to.”
    • “There's a little humor injected with some random sayings, and the 50s atmosphere is there...although it's not as strong as I wish it was.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game is praised for its great soundtrack that complements the early 1900s art style and enhances the overall experience, despite some repetitiveness. Reviewers appreciate how well the music integrates with the pulpy comic cutscenes and the game's vibrant visuals, contributing to a fun atmosphere, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, adding to its charm and engagement.

    • “Great soundtrack, great visuals and a lot of fun, especially with a friend.”
    • “The early 1900s art style, from the music down to the pulpy comic cutscenes and menu, is a delight.”
    • “The comic book, pulp fiction, cut-scenes, and music are done so well and translated into a 3-dimensional world so nicely!”
    • “I wasn't totally bored by the same music track played over and over.”
    • “All-in-all it's a great tower defense game with a decent theme & music and any repetitiveness is forgivable (at least, for me) due to the captivating constant action.”
    • “[td]soundtrack[/td]”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere effectively captures a 1950s vibe, enhanced by beautiful graphics and effects reminiscent of the Martian madness era. However, some players feel that the nostalgic atmosphere could be stronger, despite the inclusion of humorous elements and random sayings.

    • “Graphics, effects, and overall atmosphere are beautiful; the game has all the attributes of the Martian madness era.”
    • “There's a little humor injected with some random sayings, and the 50s atmosphere is there, although it's not as strong as I wish it was.”
    • “There's a little humor injected with some random sayings, and the 50s atmosphere is there...although it's not as strong as I wish it was.”
    • “Graphics, effects, and overall atmosphere are beautiful, but the game lacks the immersive quality I expected from the Martian madness era.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and fails to engage, leaving the experience lacking the depth I was hoping for.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, with four distinct characters to choose from, each providing a unique experience due to their varied abilities. A single playthrough lasts around four hours, encouraging players to explore different classes for diverse gameplay.

    • “A single playthrough of the game using one character took me just under four hours to complete; the game has tons of replayability with three more characters to use, which will make for a different experience each time due to their variety in abilities.”
    • “Four individually leveled classes add more replayability.”
    • “The game offers a wealth of replayability with multiple characters, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique and engaging.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its smooth performance and solid optimization, providing a complete experience without the issues typically associated with early access titles. Players report that it runs well both in and out of combat, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly in and out of combat and is well optimized.”
    • “Other than this problem, it's a lot of fun, runs smoothly, and feels like a complete package without the questionable early access issues.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding in the game to be excessive, leading to a sense that the time invested does not yield sufficient rewards. This sentiment is echoed consistently, indicating a common frustration with the leveling process.

    • “As with all games that involve increasing amounts of XP to level, there was grinding involved, and eventually that grinding wasn't worth the time.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The stability of the game is highlighted by the space man's ability to become immortal and freeze the environment, allowing for uninterrupted gameplay and strategic attacks. This mechanic contributes to a sense of reliability and control during intense moments.

  • character development2 mentions

    The character development in the game is enhanced by its impressive animation and unique designs inspired by 50s cinema, contributing to a visually engaging experience. However, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of the characters themselves.

  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the game profoundly emotional, often feeling a mix of nostalgia and excitement as it resonates deeply with their past experiences. The emotional impact is highlighted as a standout feature, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “My god, this game is so amazing! It actually hits you emotionally, leaving you rattled and excited to relive those good old days.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

65hMedian play time
65hAverage play time
65-65hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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