Defense Grid: The Awakening update

[SenorBeef]

They updated Defense Grid: The Awakening (http://defensegrid.hiddenpath.com/) on steam today to give a free DLC pack and some tweaks - the most important of which is that they switched over to Steam's better/faster leaderboard system, but they lose the current leaderboards in the process, so all the scores are up for grabs again.

I figured I'd let you guys know since I know a lot of people here play it (my steam friends list leaderboard entries have like 8-10 people from the boards), both that there's new content and a new chance to set high scores. Maybe we could get a high score competition going by adding other people who have the game to your friends lists, and then using the view friend scores on the leaderboard function. If you play the game and aren't on my friends list yet, add me (senorbeef) on steam and I can keep track/post scores if we get interest for a competition.

It figures, too - I just went back through the story mode 2 weeks ago in order to try to put up good leaderboard scores. Good timing on my part.

[Crowbar of Irony +3]

People here play it? Please, tell me, how do you beat the Last Stand?

[Captain_C]

There's Youtube videos for how to beat each level, if you are stuck. Just search for Defense Grid + Level name.

[SenorBeef]

Looks like the patch included some new game modes too for the old maps in addition to the 4 new maps. I read on their forums too that they're working on 8 free new maps for release too.

I've been playing a lot this morning to see myself get high (top 10) scores on the new leaderboards... but they'll probably go into the 500th best score range by the end of the week.

[Roulette]

I tried 2 of the new maps this morning after beef told me about them. They're mid to high level difficulty, IMO. At least, you need to figure out the trick for each of them.

As for the comment about last stand, the secret is to force the units to double back and around as many times as possible. Force everything to go down a single path to your core, the longer the better. Mostly, I use gun towers because they're the best bang for your buck when trying to extend the path. With a little planning you can force them to walk around a platform two or three times in each direction.

And make sure you remember to put in missile towers before those waves arrive.

Or you know... go watch the youtube video. I think that takes a little of the fun out of it, but if you're stuck they're useful.

[SenorBeef]

I wouldn't watch the youtube videos, it takes all the fun and satisfaction out if you're just copying someone else. You just need to plan out the route you want the enemy to take before you lay down a single tower - figure out the best way to make them take the longest path, and the areas where you can get the most paths into a smallest area, set them up as killzones with a command tower and a temporal tower and upgrade the towers in that area first (after your maze is set).

Edit: I gold medalled all 4 new maps on the first try without much difficulty (although some resets especially on the second map where you get unexpectedly tough air competition) so I'm either getting good or they're not quite that hard. The one with few tower slots but lots of paths is the most difficult - I think it's the third one.