Software:Defenders of Ardania

From HandWiki
Short description: Strategy video game
Not to be confused with Defenders of Arcadia.
Defenders of Ardania
Developer(s)Most Wanted Entertainment
Publisher(s)Deep Silver
Paradox Interactive
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows, Xbox 360
  • EU: November 25, 2011 (PC)
  • AU: December 15, 2011 (PC)
  • NA: March 14, 2012
  • EU: March 14, 2012 (X360)
iOS
December 6, 2011
PlayStation 3
  • EU: March 6, 2013
Genre(s)Tower defense, real-time strategy

Defenders of Ardania is a hybrid tower defense and real-time strategy video game for Microsoft Windows, iOS, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. It was developed by Most Wanted Entertainment and published by Deep Silver and Paradox Interactive.[1]

Gameplay

Defenders of Ardania includes both land and air units.

Defenders of Ardania is a tower defense game that also has offensive real-time strategy elements. As with all tower defense games, the player must defend their home base by building several types of static tower units that fire at weak offensive units spawned by the opponent. In Defenders of Ardania, however, players must also spawn soldiers themselves. Like the opponent's soldiers, the player's soldiers move along a fixed path towards their opponent's base and cannot be directly maneuvered by the player. The game is won if units spawned by the player get past the opponent's towers and destroy the opponent's base before the opponent's units get past the player's towers and destroy the player's base.[2][3]

The game features a campaign mode with eighteen levels, pitting the player, controlling human, elven, and dwarven land and air units against a computer opponent controlling undead units.[4] There is also a multiplayer mode that supports up to four players, either in free for all or two versus two format.[4] In the multiplayer, players can choose from one of three factions to play as; the single player campaign's human faction, an animal-filled faction, or the undead faction.[1]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
iOSPCXbox 360
4Players46%[8]46%[8]46%[8]
EGMN/AN/A5/10[2]
GamesMasterN/AN/A55%[9]
GamesRadar+N/AN/AStarStarStar[4]
IGNN/A4.5/10[10]4.5/10[10]
Jeuxvideo.comN/A11/20[11]10/20[12]
OXM (US)N/AN/A6/10[1]
PC Gamer (UK)N/A59%[3]N/A
TouchArcadeStarStarStarStar[13]N/AN/A
VentureBeatN/AN/A13/100[14]
411ManiaN/A4.7/10[15]4.6/10[16]
The Digital FixN/AN/A3/10[17]
Aggregate score
Metacritic85/100[5]58/100[6]52/100[7]

The iOS version received "favorable" reviews, while the PC and Xbox 360 versions received "mixed" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6][7]

For the iOS, Michael Halloran of 148Apps praised the game's visuals and level of detail, and expressed dissatisfaction only with the game's tutorial.[18] Eric Ford of TouchArcade, another iOS reviewer, praised the visuals as "beautiful" and "gorgeous" and said that the game "is an excellent addition to the tower defense genre and is a must-try for any fan". Ford did, however, criticize the tutorial, expressing a desire for a tutorial mission rather than instructional screens.[13] Mat Jones of The Average Gamer gave the game a highly negative review, saying that the game was not challenging and that concepts, such as the ability during one level to attack multiple bases and change which one player's units went towards, were never explained. Jones concluded his review by saying that "Defenders of Ardania isn’t a quality product and you probably shouldn’t spend money on it."[19]

Critics disliked that units from opposing factions passed each other without fighting.

Reviews were universally less than positive on other systems. While critics praised the idea of the game, they found fault in the execution.[2][3] Several critics disliked that the troops spawned by the player simply walk past the troops spawned by the opponent without the two groups fighting.[1][3][10] The game's flow also attracted significant criticism, with Peter Eykemans of IGN saying "Even on double speed, the pace is painful. This makes a simple two-person battle turn into a lengthy saga of repeating the same actions over and over again."[10] and Ray Carsillo of EGMNow complaining of "long drawn out matches on even the easiest difficulty settings as you try to force your way past a virtual stalemate".[2] While the visuals did receive praise, critics felt that they also got in the way of allowing the player to tell what was going on in the game.[1][4] Opinions about the narrator were mixed. Henry Winchester of PC Gamer UK praised the voiceover, calling it "a pleasingly booze-obsessed voiceover, delivered by what sounds like a Dalek doing an impression of Sean Connery".[3] Carsillo was less kind, stating that "your narrator and chief advisor sounds like an awful Sean Connery impersonator and he may be the best of the voice actors you come across".[2] Matt Hughes of GamesRadar+ strikes a more neutral tone, stating that "Pre and post-battle dialog is fully voiced by what are only technically 'actors,' but it definitely beats silent text, and does add a bit of flavor to the world."[4] Multiplayer also received mixed reviews. Eykemans suggested that multiplayer exacerbates the length and flow issues already present in the single player game,[10] while Hughes called multiplayer the game's "biggest asset", stating that "Playing against real humans definitely ramps up the intensity and reduces the cheap exploitation found in the campaign."[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lewis, Cameron (March 27, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). http://www.oxmonline.com/defenders-ardania-review. Retrieved October 27, 2022. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Carsillo, Ray (March 16, 2012). "EGM Review: Defenders of Ardania (X360)". EGMNow (EGM Media LLC). http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-defenders-of-ardania/. Retrieved October 27, 2022. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Winchester, Henry (June 2012). "Defenders of Ardania review". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 110. https://www.pcgamer.com/defenders-of-ardania-review/. Retrieved October 27, 2022. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Hughes, Matt (March 14, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania review (X360)". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/defenders-of-ardania-review/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Defenders of Ardania for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/defenders-of-ardania/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Defenders of Ardania for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/defenders-of-ardania/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Defenders of Ardania for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/defenders-of-ardania/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kleffmann, Marcel (March 23, 2012). "Test: Defenders of Adrania" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PC-CDROM/Test/26059/75372/0/Defenders_of_Ardania.html. 
  9. ↑ "Review: Defenders of Ardania (X360)". GamesMaster (Future plc): 79. June 2012. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Eykemans, Peter (March 19, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania Review (PC, Xbox 360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/19/defenders-of-ardania-review. 
  11. ↑ miniblob (April 4, 2012). "Test: Defenders of Ardania (PC)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016837-defenders-of-ardania-test.htm. 
  12. ↑ miniblob (April 4, 2012). "Test: Defenders of Ardania (360)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016839-defenders-of-ardania-test.htm. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ford, Eric (December 9, 2011). "'Defenders of Ardania' Review – A Great New Twist In Tower Defense". TouchArcade.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2011/12/09/defenders-of-ardania-review-%E2%80%93-a-great-new-twist-in-tower-defense/. 
  14. ↑ Hsu, Dan "Shoe (March 15, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania: Why I'll never touch this game again (review) (X360)". https://venturebeat.com/games/defenders-of-ardania-review/. 
  15. ↑ Osorio, Vince (April 6, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania (PC) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/232761. 
  16. ↑ Lange, Stewart (March 31, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania Review (XBLA)". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/231809. 
  17. ↑ Savage, Geoff (March 29, 2012). "Defenders of Ardania (X360)". Poisonous Monkey. http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/787/defenders-of-ardania.html. 
  18. ↑ Halloran, Michael (December 9, 2011). "Defenders of Ardania Review". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.148apps.com/reviews/defenders-ardania-review/. 
  19. ↑ Jones, Mat (December 7, 2011). "Defenders of Ardania Review (iOS)". Rock Base Projects Ltd. http://www.theaveragegamer.com/2011/12/07/defenders-of-ardania-review-ios/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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