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Sanctum 2 (Video Game Review)

The tower defense genre has become one of the fastest rising video game genres ever in recent years with popular titles such as Plants vs. Zombies, GemCraft and Protector leading the charge. Developer Coffee Stain Studios' Sanctum continued this rising trend with the release of a brand new type of tower defense game that combined aspects of many different genres when it released back in 2011. Now, Coffee Stain Studios and publisher D3Publishers are back with an all new title called Sanctum 2 that is looking to change the popular strategy genre once again. Sanctum 2 isn't a quick cash-in for the team behind the game; the sequel has been rebuilt from the ground up with all new features, maps, towers, weapons and other mechanics that make this a title that is head and shoulders above its predecessor. Though many gamers will have looked over this popular PC title, the game is now a must play for tower defense aficionados with its release coming on PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade and PC this time around. Strap in and get ready to destroy some alien scumbags.

In Sanctum 2, players team up to take on ever increasingly difficult waves of alien intruders. The why and who of the alien invasion is revealed throughout the game's large campaign with cel-shaded panels and informative sequences seen between matches. Storyline isn't an important factor when determining if players will enjoy the new release or not, but it's nice to see Coffee Stain Studios put a lot more thought into giving players a reason to keep fighting with a goal of pushing back some familiar invaders once again. Sanctum 2's campaign is fully cooperative and allows up to four players to team up to build towers and blast firearms until their enemies have been driven back once and for all. The formula is highly effective, and Sanctum 2 is one of the most addictive new games around to say the least.

Sanctum 2 is easily described as a combination of many genres. Shooter fans will enjoy running around the battlefield, unloading countless amounts of ammunition into the enemies' weak spots while gathering all important resources. To get a boost on the battlefield, players will begin constructing powerful towers around the battlefield in a fashion that will make the enemies take the longest routes possible to get to their destinations. There are also plenty of RPG elements crammed into Sanctum 2 such as the ability to see how much damage is being done to enemies in hit point values, using character class specific skills to gain benefits on the battlefield for towers and more, or upgrading weapons with skills or other helpful items. Players who enjoyed the original title will definitely notice an increase in difficulty for the new title with the introduction of some tough new enemies and the removal of shared resources across all characters, but the game is still plenty of fun and all the more rewarding when a high score is earned with hard work.



Protecting powerful Cores in the world of LOEK III is key in Sanctum 2, but the game offers up a unique playstyle that truly puts the game in a class of its own. The game is packed with plenty of replay value thanks to unlockable towers, weapons and perks that are gained with experience points earned on the battlefield. The game itself looks a lot better this time around with impressive cel-shaded graphics that make the game look like a comic book is being played right before your eyes. A brand new soundtrack compliments the game nicely to add a real sense of science fiction and action thrills you'd expect from a game with this type of storyline. Playing online and connecting with the community is simplistic, and the game should continue to see a nice helping of community support if the loyal fans of the original game returns for the sequel. Sanctum 2 is a fun new way to play one of the more popular genres in game, and it's difficult not to gush when recommending the game to fans of other tower defense games. Pick up a copy of Sanctum 2 to try the best tower defense game since Plants vs. Zombies.

Sanctum 2 is now available for PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade and PC and can be purchased for $14.99 or 1200 Microsoft Points. Sanctum 2 is rated T by the ESRB for Blood, Violence & Mild Language. For more information on the game, check out the official Sanctum 2 website.

Game Features:
  • Online Cooperative 1-4
  • Tower Defense and Shooter Elements
  • Over 15 New Maps
  • Online Leaderboards
  • Achievement Support


    • Game Information:
    Developer: Coffee Stain Studios
    Publisher: D3Publisher
    Platforms: PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade (reviewed) & PC
    Release Date: May 15, 2013

    Score: 8 out of 10

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