Sanctum 2

About

Sanctum 2 is a single player and multiplayer survival shooter game with warfare and science fiction themes. It was developed by Coffee Stain Studios and was released on May 15, 2013. It received positive reviews from players.

Sanctum 2 is a Tower Defense/FPS hybrid game where you protect oxygen-producing Cores from hordes of aliens. Choose from four character classes, customize your loadouts, and utilize elements from multiple gameplay genres to succeed in this intense and strategic game. Build defenses and then jump into the action to take out enemies in the FPS mode.

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,913 reviews

gameplay340 positive mentions

grinding71 negative mentions

Fun tower defense game crossed over with FPS mechanics, providing a unique gameplay experience.
Great to play with friends, enhancing the cooperative experience and strategy.
Challenging missions that require tactical planning and can be rewarding when completed.

Game can feel repetitive and grindy, especially in single-player mode.
Limited tower placement and upgrades can restrict strategic options.
Some players experience crashes and performance issues, affecting gameplay.

gameplay
833 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The gameplay of "Sanctum 2" is a unique blend of first-person shooter and tower defense mechanics, offering a strategic and engaging experience that appeals to fans of both genres. While many players appreciate the depth and customization options available, some criticize the balance and repetitiveness of gameplay, particularly in solo modes. Overall, the game is praised for its cooperative multiplayer experience, vibrant graphics, and the ability to modify difficulty, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a fresh take on tower defense gameplay.
- “The gameplay is great, atmosphere is great, balance is fun, and the studio that made the game is amazing.”
- “Sanctum 2 is an innovative blend of tower defense and first-person shooter genres that stands out for its engaging gameplay and strategic depth.”
- “The gameplay is fun, challenging, and fresh.”
- “The first is that the FPS part of gameplay gets mind-numbingly boring after a while.”
- “While the gameplay itself is fine, it lacks variety.”
- “It is unfortunate that the gameplay harshly punishes co-op (enemies' health is exponentially increased with more players), making the game so difficult that it is actually not fun.”
story
731 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The story in "Sanctum 2" is presented primarily through comic-style panels before each mission, providing a basic narrative framework that many players find lacking in depth and engagement. While some appreciate the effort to include a storyline, noting it adds context to the gameplay, others criticize it as minimal and forgettable, often overshadowed by the game's focus on action and strategy. The necessity of DLCs to complete the story further detracts from the overall experience, leaving many players feeling that the narrative is incomplete or forced.
- “While not the main focus, the storyline provides enough context to give meaning to the missions, adding a layer of immersion to the experience.”
- “The story is presented through comic panels and barely makes any sense, but it's a tower defense game after all: monsters are coming, kill them.”
- “The story is one of the key parts of this game.”
- “The story of the base game also leaves you on a cliffhanger unless you play through all the DLCs to finish the story.”
- “The story is pretty generic, though the characters' aesthetic and design are top notch, and the choice of who to bring to a mission really feels like it matters.”
graphics
645 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they may appear dated, they still hold up well for a title released in 2013. The art style is often praised for its vibrant and unique aesthetic, reminiscent of comic book visuals, which enhances the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding optimization and occasional graphical glitches, the visuals are generally considered appealing and contribute positively to the gameplay, especially in cooperative settings.
- “The graphics and visual design are fantastic.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant environments and detailed character models.”
- “Graphically, the game presents a clean and colorful aesthetic that is both visually appealing and functional, with clear indications of enemy paths and tower effectiveness.”
- “The graphics are horrifically outdated though, I'd love to see a Sanctum 3.”
- “It's still using Unreal Engine 3, and they seem to have gotten worse at using the engine in this version. It's overall a graphical downgrade from the first game.”
- “This game's visuals seem incredibly outdated and choppy in comparison.”
music
226 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the sci-fi aesthetic and gameplay intensity. Many players highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the overall experience, with some describing it as a blend of electronic styles that fits perfectly within the game's environment. However, a few reviews note that certain tracks can feel repetitive over time, and while some find the music memorable, others consider it less impactful compared to the previous installment.
- “✔ Stylish visuals & soundtrack – the sci-fi aesthetic is sleek, and the soundtrack perfectly matches the intense action.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Leonard Hummer, is exciting, sci-fi, and suitable for the game, and very enjoyable to listen to on its own.”
- “The music is vivid, intense, upbeat, and energetic, which accentuates the plot of the game.”
- “The music is forgettable even while you're listening to it.”
- “The characters don't come alive, music doesn't engage the player, and levels feel so empty that they're borderline depressing in singleplayer.”
- “The music while ambient and futuristic doesn't deliver the same thumping encouragement as games such as Borderlands or Painkiller; this is definitely a game you should bring your own playlist to.”
replayability
153 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high potential due to diverse weapons, characters, and difficulty modifiers that keep gameplay fresh and engaging. However, some reviewers note a lack of substantial content and features that warrant repeated playthroughs, leading to feelings of repetitiveness over time. Overall, while there are numerous options for customization and strategies, the game's long-term replay value may be limited without additional content or community support.
- “This variability extends the game's replayability and keeps the gameplay fresh across multiple sessions.”
- “The plentiful amount of weapons, turrets, and skills gives you a lot of options when planning your strategy, paired with the added difficulty multipliers on each level adds a ton of replayability and keeps things interesting.”
- “The solo campaign, multiplayer games, and the challenging feats of strength system give the game great replay value, which when combined with the hidden zones to discover, the out-of-map glitch-exploring and the funny challenges you can set yourself and friends about completing a certain map with a particular loadout makes it varied and fun in a great many ways.”
- “I got to play it for 12 hours only until it just ran out of content and replayability...”
- “The replay value is low, unless you specifically hunt for achievements, as there are no features that warrant replaying levels multiple times.”
- “If you want to buy it, buy it only when it's on sale; the game is pretty nice and has some hidden easter eggs, but it gets boring after a while. Even the DLCs aren't worth buying, but overall it is a nice game to try... I give it thumbs up for creativity and its theme, but when it comes to replayability, the creators of this game are so inexperienced.”
humor
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
3%
The humor in the game is often highlighted as a key aspect, with players enjoying the comedic elements found in character dialogues, text-to-speech features, and various in-game interactions. Many reviews emphasize that the game is particularly funny when played with friends, showcasing hilarious moments and easter eggs that enhance the overall experience. While some players note that the humor can be hit or miss, the general consensus is that it adds a refreshing and entertaining layer to the gameplay, making it more enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings.
- “Absolutely hilarious that people are writing negative reviews for this 11+ year old game based on today's standards.”
- “The text to speech is hilarious as well.”
- “Funny easter eggs, for example: shooting Santa out of the sky.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat, making me wish I was reading unfunny comments on YouTube instead.”
- “The jokes are so stale that I'd rather listen to a monotone lecture than endure another punchline.”
- “I found the attempts at humor to be cringeworthy, leaving me more confused than amused.”
grinding
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
6%
90%
The reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often seen as tedious and time-consuming, particularly for solo players, with many feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the challenge and potential rewards of grinding, especially in multiplayer settings, the slow progression and reliance on repetitive gameplay can lead to frustration. Overall, the grinding aspect is a significant point of contention, with many suggesting that it could benefit from better pacing and balance.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Sanctum1 - more charm, bigger maps, no grinding, more polish, greater sense of accomplishment.”
- “You really need other people to help you and obviously, there aren't that many people playing to help you, so good luck farming.”
- “The incomplete story, limited maps, low turret variety, and grindy leveling system; all are at their worst in the base game.”
- “A tower defense game that isn't actually about tower defense, but rather about grinding (because all the good stuff is locked behind 50 hours of grinding).”
optimization
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
44%
36%
The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with many users reporting poor performance, significant lag, and issues with frame rates, especially on lower-end machines. While some players noted that the game can run smoothly with proper tweaks, the overall consensus is that it is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience, particularly in multiplayer settings. Despite its fun gameplay, the optimization issues detract significantly from the overall enjoyment.
- “The game dynamics feel polished, it's optimized well and it's fun to play with your friends.”
- “Awesome game, optimized, really great :D”
- “If you enjoy cooperatively solving hard optimization problems, I strongly recommend Sanctum 2 with a friend.”
- “Performance feels awful; when you tab out, it takes 10+ seconds for the framerate to go back up from 1 to 60 fps for some ungodly reason.”
- “On the technical side, the game is really poorly optimized, barely managing to keep 60 fps on a 2080.”
- “The game is not optimized for one player from my experience.”
stability
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting occasional bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly on certain systems like Mac and Linux. While some players experience significant issues such as freezing and graphical glitches, others find the game runs smoothly with only minor problems. Overall, while the game is enjoyable and performs well on modest hardware, players should be prepared for some instability and potential frustrations.
- “It runs great even on very modest hardware yet still manages to not look hideous.”
- “The game runs great, looks great, sounds great, and plays very smoothly.”
- “I enjoyed this game very much... no glitches, so far.”
- “Sooo horribly buggy, like why let a game like that out!!”
- “Game freezes at splash screen every time.”
- “But the real matter that makes me hesitate and recommend this game is the often game crashes, or actually freezes.”
atmosphere
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
20%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning visuals, an atmospheric electronic soundtrack, and unique level designs that create a captivating sci-fi environment. Players appreciate the balance between gameplay and atmosphere, noting that it enhances the overall experience, although some feel it lacks the same depth as its predecessor. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as beautiful, calming, and engaging, making it a standout feature that draws players in.
- “The game's music is atmospheric, it surrounds us and immerses us at all times.”
- “The surreal sci-fi atmosphere of the game was what initially got me hooked.”
- “The sound design is excellent, with great weapon sounds and music that sets the science-fiction atmosphere incredibly well.”
- “In a near genre, Orcs Must Die 1 & 2 are vastly superior games in all fields: controls, strategy, visual, story, atmosphere, polishing.”
- “For me, it is a disappointment because it doesn't capture and expand the atmosphere from the original title.”
- “Never have I felt this exact atmosphere in a game; it really left an impression.”
character development
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the leveling system that enhances gameplay through rewarding perks, while others criticize the character design and story depth. Although the aesthetic and character designs are often highlighted as appealing, many players feel that the overall character development lacks polish and depth compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, the character development aspect could benefit from more RPG features and a stronger narrative.
- “Character development is also boosted by a leveling system that rewards success with excellent perks, and they can be combined in great ways.”
- “I would recommend Sanctum 2 for anyone who felt like the original lacked in FPS and character development.”
- “Phenomenal character design and aesthetic, all wrapped in an extremely enjoyable co-op shoot defense.”
- “Character design feels like a step or two down and their one-liners were quite annoying.”
- “The comic strip artwork and character designs are bad.”
- “More RPG aspects in character development and a little more polish to the graphics.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
25%
Players express a mix of nostalgia and emotional engagement with the game, particularly enjoying the fun mechanics and multiplayer experience. However, the story is often described as lacking depth and emotional resonance, with some feeling a disconnect between the narrative and gameplay. Overall, while the game can evoke positive feelings and memories, it may not satisfy those seeking a deeply emotional experience akin to more narrative-driven titles.
- “It actually made me feel nostalgic for it.”
- “I cried when they made Satisfactory instead of Sanctum 3.”
- “10/10 would cry again.”
- “The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
- “I found the narrative to be dull, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
- “The emotional impact was nonexistent, making it hard to care about the storyline.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Sanctum 2 has been criticized for its monetization strategy, with users labeling it as an XP grind and a DLC cash grab. However, some players appreciate the game's blend of leveling mechanics akin to an MMO, which enhances gameplay without excessive grinding.
- “Sanctum 2 turned into an XP grind and DLC cash grab.”
- “Even the advertising.”
- “Vast improvements to controls and ads.”