Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 87% | 80 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 70 | 4 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 99% | 95 | 7 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 20 reviews sampled · 12 total reviews in window · weighted 15 up / 0.1 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (44)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“There's no denying that Defense Grid 2 is an absorbing experience, and its low barriers to entry ensure it should appeal to seasoned RTS vets and tower defence noobs alike. For lovers of the blueprint, it's really not that hard to see why this series has become synonymous with the genre, and that in itself should be recommendation enough.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Unfortunately, although it initially feels as though there is a wealth of content here, it soon becomes clear that Defense Grid 2 doesn't have an awful lot to offer in the long run and, as one of the higher priced games in the Xbox marketplace, doesn't really deliver a gaming experience worthy of its price point. It's great fun in short bursts though and fans of the genre will enjoy the challenges offered by some of the more intense game modes.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Though not perfect, Defense Grid 2 presents one of the best tower defence options on the Japanese giant's shiny black box. It has everything that a fan of the genre could want, loads of modes, challenges, and, at its core, is just plain fun. The back and forth between the excellently voiced characters is entertaining, even if the narrative is messy and the excellent dynamic maps are few and far between. Those willing to overlook these few flaws, though, are in for a good time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Defense Grid 2 offers tight strategic gameplay with a wealth of options and a story that's much better than it needs to be.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Defense Grid 2 is a fairly typical Tower Defense game at its core, but the layers of complexity give it a lot more staying power and replay value than you are likely accustomed to. With 21 campaign levels, and plans to offer countless more as downloads, there is no end to how much time you can spend with DG2, and that's not even counting fighting for placement on the leaderboards... or multiplayer. DG2 is a shining example of Kickstarter done right.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Defense Grid 2 is, quite obviously about defence, but it's also about being passive, about observing morally grey conflicts play out in front of you - without your input. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While not being as much of a leap forward for the tower defense genre as the first game, Defense Grid 2 oozes quality and will provide both DG veterans and newcomers alike with hours and hours of enjoyment.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Defense Grid 2 is an enjoyable return to Hidden Path's dystopian future, though whilst the sequel features a number of improvements some key features of the original, in particular the engaging story, have been lost along the way. For fans of the genre it's still an essential entry on PC and console, with hours of content and plenty of replayability, all wrapped up in a high quality package.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Defense Grid 2 is the kind of game that can be played casually or for long sittings, as it thrives off that "just one more level!" addiction.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Defense Grid 2 isn't just another tower defense game, it's the best new tower defense game.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“Defense Grid 2 pushes what you can do to a tower defense game as far as possible and still have the game remain a tower defense game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It might be thin on story and full of bizarre chatter, but solid mechanics and great game modes make this a jolly great time for anyone with an interest in towers, defence or raspberry lollipops.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
Push Square
Tom's Guide
The Escapist
Eurogamer
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
We Got This Covered
PC Gamer
TechRaptor
DarkZero…and 32 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Defense Grid Game updateApr 24, 2026
- Defense Grid 2 in 2026!Mar 7, 2026
- WELCOME TO DEFENSE GRID 2Sep 12, 2025
- DG2 April 2018 UpdateApr 27, 2018
- 3/24/2015 - DG2 March Steam Update - PC, Mac only (SteamOS version coming very soon)Mar 24, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Mac Version UpdateOct 23, 2014
- Mac Version UpdateOct 23, 2014
- Mac version updated!Oct 15, 2014
- Mac version updated!Oct 15, 2014
- An October UpdateOct 8, 2014significant · resets scoring window
- An October UpdateOct 8, 2014significant · resets scoring window
- Weekend UpdateSep 27, 2014
- Weekend UpdateSep 27, 2014