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IS Defense

If you adore turret segments more than anything, love grinding, and have an absolute hate-on for ISIS then IS Defense is the video game for you. For anyone else please, for the love of God, avoid this game.
IS Defense Game Cover
80%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
story, grinding
92% User Score Based on 971 reviews
Critic Score 20%Based on 1 reviews

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IS Defense Game Cover

About

IS Defense is a single player arcade shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Destructive Creations and was released on April 19, 2016. It received negative reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"IS Defense" is a strategy tower defense game set in a modern-day war scenario. Players must defend their base from incoming enemy forces using a variety of weapons and towers. The game offers challenging gameplay with realistic ballistics and a wide range of enemy types to keep things interesting. With multiple difficulty settings and leaderboards, "IS Defense" offers plenty of replayability.

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IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
IS Defense screenshot
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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 971 reviews
graphics88 positive mentions
story12 negative mentions
  • IS Defense offers a fun and addictive gameplay experience reminiscent of classic arcade shooters, allowing players to enjoy quick sessions of action.
  • The game features a solid upgrade system that enhances the player's abilities and keeps the gameplay engaging as they progress through the levels.
  • The graphics and sound design are impressive for a budget title, creating an immersive atmosphere filled with explosions and chaos.
  • The game can become repetitive quickly due to the limited number of maps and enemy types, which may lead to a lack of long-term engagement.
  • Players may find the difficulty spikes frustrating, especially in later levels where overwhelming enemy waves can lead to quick deaths.
  • The stationary nature of the gameplay can feel restrictive, limiting exploration and alternative combat strategies.
  • graphics
    150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed but generally positive feedback, with many users praising their quality and detail, especially for a budget title. While some reviews note issues like asset recycling and optimization problems, the overall consensus highlights the effective use of visuals to enhance gameplay, particularly during chaotic combat scenes. The combination of solid graphics, engaging sound design, and a well-defined aesthetic contributes to a satisfying gaming experience.

    • “With detailed graphics and a well-defined aesthetic, the game offers a visually appealing and functional environment.”
    • “The combination of deep strategic gameplay, stunning graphics, and an engaging soundtrack creates a cohesive and well-executed package.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic (the game is running on the Unreal Engine), so killing those enemies never felt and looked as good.”
    • “The graphical effects, while effective at conveying battle damage and chaos, recycle assets frequently, leading to a sense of visual monotony over time.”
    • “Though released in 2016, the graphics and special effects are mediocre, but not alarming enough to make you regret it.”
    • “I loved Hatred, but damn this new game by Destructive Creations sucks; they basically pre-packaged a free-to-play flash game and updated it with pretty graphics, and the first map looks like something out of an asset store that was made for World War II games, and the shooting gets boring after a while due to the game's repetition.”
  • gameplay
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "is defense" is characterized by its straightforward turret-based mechanics, where players fend off waves of enemies while managing resources and upgrades. While the graphics and strategic depth are praised, the limited variety in maps and enemy types can lead to repetitive gameplay. Overall, it offers an engaging experience for fans of arcade shooters, though some may find it lacking in depth and innovation.

    • “The gameplay loop is simple but effective: survive waves that progressively increase in difficulty while managing resources and upgrades.”
    • “With its engaging turret-based defense mechanics, it offers a depth that I hadn't expected, drawing me in further with each wave of enemies.”
    • “The combination of deep strategic gameplay, stunning graphics, and an engaging soundtrack creates a cohesive and well-executed package.”
    • “With only a handful of maps and enemy types, the gameplay loop can feel repetitive.”
    • “The stationary nature of the gameplay—being fixed in place on a turret—can feel restrictive, limiting exploration or alternative combat strategies.”
    • “In summary, it's a relatively good-looking game for the genre, but there's zero depth in the gameplay.”
  • story
    71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it revolves around a simplistic premise of defending against waves of enemies without any substantial narrative development. While some appreciate the arcade-style action and the controversial political context, others find the absence of a meaningful storyline makes the gameplay feel repetitive and shallow. Overall, the story is seen as a weak point, with many reviewers suggesting that it detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The story or lack thereof revolves around a fictitious invasion of Europe and one man's (us) bravery to stand on his own against a horde of vicious religious fanatics that want to expand their dominion.”
    • “The game's story is perhaps its weakest point, though still adequately interesting, particularly so long as you don't take it too seriously. At the game's end, it sets up a potential sequel where maybe you will wind up shooting up Russian soldiers instead of Islamic State terrorists.”
    • “On starting the game, you first get a small intro which shows a brief story.”
    • “On the story side, there isn't any as you are just given a single task to kill the terrorists... period.”
    • “The fact there is no story makes the game kind of repetitive and there is no actual ending other than dying and replaying the stages to see how long you last, kill as many enemies and unlock the sweet Steam achievements.”
    • “There's no story, no plot (beyond 'kill bad guys'), no extensive dialogue trees, just fluid, heart-thudding violence.”
  • grinding
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews consistently highlight that the game is excessively grindy, requiring players to defeat a significant number of enemies to progress through levels, often leading to repetitive gameplay. Many users express frustration with the lack of variety and originality, describing it as a "grinding simulator" where advancement hinges on farming kills and experience points. While some players find enjoyment in the mechanics and frantic pace after initial grinding, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being tedious and overly reliant on grinding.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You have to defeat an arbitrary amount of enemies on the current level to unlock the next one, so it's virtually impossible to unlock the next level without grinding the current one at least 10 times.”
    • “This game should be called grinding simulator because that's all you do: grind kills until you can get to the next area to grind yet more kills.”
    • “A bland, boring, grindy game, that tries to sell itself by generating controversy.”
  • music
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game, composed by Adam Skorupa, is generally praised for its high quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with an energizing soundtrack that complements the chaotic combat. While many players appreciate the audio elements, some suggest that the in-game music can be overshadowed by combat sounds, leading them to prefer playing their own music for a more enjoyable experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong addition to the game's atmosphere, though opinions vary on its effectiveness in isolation.

    • “The audio elements, including the soundtrack by Adam Skorupa, are heavy and urgent, complementing the chaos of the combat.”
    • “The music is energizing and fits well with the in-game action, creating an exciting and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The combination of deep strategic gameplay, stunning graphics, and an engaging soundtrack creates a cohesive and well-executed package.”
    • “Mute the soundtrack and jam some black metal while playing.”
    • “Soundtrack is weak but you can set Slayer's discography on background for full experience.”
    • “Audio is clear though the music is difficult to hear over the multiple layers of combat audio, which is fine anyways cause you can blast whatever 5FDP song you want to this and it'll work.”
  • replayability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its engaging gameplay, upgrade systems, and competitive elements like leaderboards and achievements. While some players note a decline in replay value after completing the game, the potential for modding and additional content could enhance longevity. Despite its simplicity and limited content, many find it worth revisiting for the fun and challenge it offers.

    • “What this game may lack in content and variety makes up for it in replay value.”
    • “Having experience skill trees keeps the replayability (albeit maybe only 5 hours of game time to unlock all of it) and with mods available, this game definitely makes it worth buying for only $5.99.”
    • “Its a fun game and has a ton of replay value if you want to earn all those achievements.”
    • “The game took me 5.1 hours to complete, and once you've unlocked all the upgrades and maps, the game quickly loses its replayability.”
    • “As an on-rails shooter, it has minimal replay value, especially given the limited enemy types and stage designs.”
    • “The game is quite short but has a lot of replay value thanks to its kick-ass leaderboards, and I believe I remember the devs saying they were going to add more levels to the game anyway.”
  • optimization
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised for providing a smooth and stable performance, even during intense gameplay moments. However, some users report occasional significant frame rate drops, particularly in busy battle scenes, indicating that while the optimization is effective, there is room for improvement, especially for players with lower-end systems. Despite these issues, many players appreciate the game's ability to run well on various hardware configurations.

    • “Optimization is effective, resulting in a smooth and seamless gameplay experience.”
    • “Reliable performance allows players to focus on strategy and execution without worrying about stuttering or performance drops.”
    • “Graphics are great, and well optimized for lower end systems.”
    • “Also, it seems FPS suffers a lot once the battles intensify; I saw them dropping to below 30 even though I have a decent PC, so crappy performance awaits sometimes.”
    • “Small addendum: I don't know if it has to do with my settings, my rig, the game's optimization, or a combination of those three, but the framerate can become downright abhorrent at times.”
    • “The performance wasn't an issue and the game played smoothly.”
  • humor
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its dark and edgy themes, particularly revolving around the absurdity of killing terrorists, which some players find hilarious. Many reviews highlight the chaotic and explosive gameplay as a source of amusement, while others note that the humor can be repetitive and may not appeal to everyone due to its controversial nature. Overall, players appreciate the comedic elements, despite acknowledging the potential for offense.

    • “Especially when all upgrades are unlocked, the game becomes an incredible and hilarious mayhem. The weapon controls and upgrades are terrific.”
    • “It is good to kill some time; the graphics are fine, the gameplay is simple, but the game itself is a lot of fun, with lots of explosions, blood, hilarious and cinematic situations. I would definitely recommend this game.”
    • “Funny game.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a tense coastal warzone setting, enhanced by a combination of fast-paced action, effective sound design, and energizing music that immerses players in the experience. While the visual presentation may not be cutting-edge, it successfully contributes to the overall mood, creating a thrilling environment that maintains high levels of adrenaline throughout gameplay.

    • “The music is energizing and fits well with the in-game action, creating an exciting and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “This narrative framework sets the tone for the game’s intense action, combining fast-paced shooting mechanics with an atmosphere steeped in geopolitical tension.”
    • “Its strengths lie in delivering satisfying bursts of combat, a well-paced difficulty curve, and a moody atmosphere bolstered by sound and visuals.”
    • “They work in tandem to create a thrilling atmosphere that keeps the adrenaline pumping.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with great graphics and performance, others encounter significant issues such as lag, bugs, and graphical glitches that require workarounds. Overall, the game shows potential for stability but has notable inconsistencies in user experiences.

    • “Runs great.”
    • “The game looks pretty and runs great on my machine. The reinforcement/support system is nice, and blowing up the little boats is really satisfying.”
    • “Looks and runs great right at launch! I've put a couple of hours into it, and it looks like it'll take a few more to unlock all those achievements.”
    • “Laggy, buggy, and unfun.”
    • “I had to play this game in borderless windowed mode to fix the green graphical glitches.”
    • “After playing (and despising) the buggy mess that was Hatred, I wasn't expecting much out of IS Defense.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional satisfaction from the game, highlighting its wholesome and enjoyable nature, which provides a fulfilling experience without requiring intense focus.

    • “I've never been this satisfied emotionally from buying a game.”
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20%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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4h Median play time
4h Average play time
4-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

IS Defense is a arcade shooter game with warfare theme.

IS Defense is available on PC, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing IS Defense.

IS Defense was released on April 19, 2016.

IS Defense was developed by Destructive Creations.

IS Defense has received negative reviews from players and negative reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

IS Defense is a single player game.

Similar games include Beach Invasion 1944, Sanctum 2, Let Them Come, Warpips, Zombie Army Trilogy and others.