D.O.T. Defence Review Summary

Excellent local multiplayer with fast-paced accessible gameplay and varied modes, but suffers from insufficient content, a short campaign, frustrating bugs, and lacks online support.

Excellent local multiplayer: Local co-op for up to four players is highlighted as a standout feature, with couch co-op and Steam Remote Play support making it a great party game.

Fast-paced and accessible: The fast-paced nature of the game is coupled with accessibility, making it easy for new players to jump in while still offering depth.

Rich and varied game modes: Players praise the abundance of content, including campaigns for all factions, skirmish, wave defense, escalation mode with modifiers, and multiplayer. This variety keeps the experience fresh and engaging.

Perfect blend of genres: The game masterfully combines real-time strategy with tower defense elements, offering fast-paced and engaging gameplay that feels fresh and addictive.

Three unique factions: The game features three distinct factions with unique buildings and features, each offering different playstyles and strategies.

Insufficient content and short campaign: Many users report the campaign is too short, around 90 minutes to 2 hours, and the overall content is limited. This leads to low replayability and a feeling of incompleteness compared to major RTS titles.

Frustrating bugs and crashes: Numerous bugs, including game-breaking mission issues, crashes, black screens, and softlock problems in specific modes, are frequently mentioned. These make the game feel unfinished and unstable.

Repetitive grind to unlock content: Players criticize the grindy progression that requires experience points to unlock units and content, even after patches. The campaign forces replay of long intros on failure, adding to frustration.

Terrible tutorials and UI/controls: The tutorial is considered too long, poorly designed, and irritating, with controls that cannot be remapped and no proper pause button. The interface and art style also receive negative feedback.

Lacks online multiplayer: Multiple reviews highlight the absence of online multiplayer, with only local co-op or single-player options available. Players express disappointment that the original multiplayer mode lacks online functionality.

RTS and tower defense hybrid: The game combines real-time strategy with tower defense elements, often described as a hybrid that includes base building, unit production, and defensive structures.

Multiple game modes available: Players can enjoy campaign, wave defense, skirmish, and survival modes, with options for co-op and PvP, as well as escalation and quickplay modes.

Base building and production structures: Players can build defense towers and production buildings that automatically spawn units, with various types including turrets, barracks, and factories.

Local multiplayer support available: The game supports local multiplayer, including couch co-op, split-screen, and up to 4 players, with options for solo, cooperative, and competitive modes.

Multiple factions with unique playstyles: The game features three or more factions with distinct mechanics, unlockable buildings, and controller super units, such as Colorful and Swarm.

Frequent crashes reported: Many players experience crashes at various points such as mission end, screen switching, and launch. The crashes are sometimes linked to incomplete development.

Issues on high-end PCs: Even players with high-end PC hardware report performance issues, suggesting optimization problems.

Performance drops with units: Producing a large number of units causes a noticeable drop in performance, affecting gameplay smoothness.

Steam Deck runs well: The game runs flawlessly on Steam Deck in both handheld and docked modes with a Bluetooth controller.

Low framerate issues: Some players experience low framerates, impacting the overall gameplay experience.

Recommended for strategy fans: Multiple reviewers recommend the game for both casual and veteran strategy players as well as RTS fans. The feedback highlights broad appeal within the strategy genre.

Great value at low price: The game is considered worth buying at its low price point, often mentioned as 10 euros or a symbolic price. Multiple reviewers emphasize the cost-to-value ratio is favorable.

Not recommended due to issues: A few reviewers do not recommend the game, citing lack of multiplayer, poor quality compared to classic titles like Red Alert, or feeling that the demo was better. One even warns of a scam.

Suitable as party game: The game is recommended as a party game, implying it is fun for group play. This is supported by mentions of local co-op and LAN party suitability.

Cautious recommendation: Some reviewers recommend buying with caution, suggesting the game has potential but may not be ready. One reviewer advises returning when content is complete and balance is fixed.

Story completion: 2.0h.

Session length: 0.1h.

Defence delivers immediate fun through fast-paced tower defense and RTS gameplay, though early difficulty and pacing issues may hinder some players initially.

Friction: Steep difficulty curve in early game; Interrupted pacing that breaks flow; Lack of online multiplayer (local only); Lack of Steam achievements.

Unlock drivers: Accessible and straightforward controls; Variety of multiplayer modes (local co-op, competitive, skirmish); Adjustable AI difficulty for solo play; Fast-paced match length maintaining engagement.

Couch Co-op Party Strategist: Engages in quick local multiplayer matches (1v1, 2v2, FFA), prioritizes entertainment over deep strategy, enjoys the variety of game modes. Motivation: Social fun and friendly competition with local friends. Stance: buy.

Old-School RTS Enthusiast: Plays solo skirmish vs AI or campaign, focuses on base building, commander abilities, and resource management; appreciates depth but accepts simple controls. Motivation: Strategic challenge and nostalgic RTS mechanics. Stance: buy.

Time-Friendly Casual Gamer: Plays short matches (5-10 min) solo or with friends, prefers simple controls and low barrier to entry, avoids complex micromanagement. Motivation: Quick, stress-free fun in limited time windows. Stance: sale.

Steam Deck: The majority of user feedback reports frequent crashes, freezes, and black screens that make the game nearly unplayable, compounded by an incomplete state and lack of developer updates. A single positive review exists but does not represent the overall experience.