Developed by Trion Worlds, Defiance is based on a pre-existing franchise through an associated SyFy television program. This helps set it apart from other MMOs at a time when the PC landscape is still dominated by old titans like World of Warcraft and EVE Online.
Originally released in 2013, Defiance went free-to-play in 2014. Although SyFy canceled the TV show in 2015, the game is still going strong. But is it worth your time?
Game
Unlike many other MMOs, Defiance’s gameplay is fast-paced. Play more like a shooter rather than a traditional MMO, with games like Borderlands having an obvious influence. As a result, Defiance has a somewhat chaotic and fun approach, just like other looter shooters.
The basic game system is to defeat enemies and collect the loot they drop so that you can get stronger. The problem is that Defiance essentially falls into the trap of continuing this cycle indefinitely. Unlike other titles, Defiance doesn’t have much to build on outside of this premise. Games like Borderlands often have a strong narrative element and don’t just rely on core mechanics to provide the motivation to keep playing.
Sure, it can be fun to mow down hordes of enemies, but a full game needs more. Confronting the same type of enemies over and over again without any variety is hard enough. Doing this in the knowledge that you will later do the same thing, only in a more powerful form, is frustrating and depressing.
Classes
This lack of variety extends to your character as well. There are only four classes to choose from. While each of them have their own distinctive abilities, these don’t seem different enough to really warrant further playthroughs. Player customization is also extremely limited, so much so that you can barely change anything about your appearance or the way you play.
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