Safety Grid: Awakening
- Developer: Hidden path, entertainment
- Release date: December 8, 2008
- Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
Defense Grid: The Awakening may be one of the oldest games on this list, but it is still one of the strongest tower defense games of the last 20 years. You can play through the main storyline, which lasts up to eight hours, but like most games in this genre, there's a lot more replayability beyond that.
When you start Defense Grid: The Awakening, you start with a few fairly easy levels that challenge your basic ability to set up defenses. As you progress, you'll unlock new upgrades and tower types, with each tower having three different levels of capabilities. All towers have their own strengths and weaknesses, and some of them may be strong on one map and weak on another. Speaking of maps, Defense Grid: The Awakening has 20 unique maps, with additional ones available in the paid map pack. A total of 15 different enemies can appear on the maps, which become stronger the more you play.
The variety of enemies and numbers that come into play often make each round feel like it's coming to an end. While your towers may not be overwhelmed at the start of the round, as the round progresses stronger enemies appear in greater numbers that can ruin your entire strategy.
Although Defense Grid: The Awakening is an older game, it still captures the magic of what a tower defense game should be. Couple that with graphics that look straight out of Halo and you've got a game worth checking out.
