I have to say that all of the mobile issues, my dislike for the camera (I hate the "half a spin" that happens every time I am done placing a tower, as well as other camera issues), the horrid experience online of being kicked, kicked, kicked and no way to communicate other than a quick shot at voice chat if the game drops you into a lobby first. I quit playing online completely. Solo play has become so monotonous and repetitive, I am not a fan of the "Endless loot grind". And honestly, there really isn't anything more to this game than that. Level balancing is so off (they are not in any real "order" of progression as far as difficulty, some levels are specifically designed for a certain character type to play), it is just not fun to have to replay one or a few levels over and over again on various difficulties, just to be able to finally get a weapon or level up enough to have a shot at finally completing the next LINEAR progression level on Easy, or HAVE to level up another character to have a shot at a map. OF course, this is all removed through multiplayer, but I am a middle aged parent, most of my friends do not "game" anymore, and if online play is lacking then a package like this is going to lack completely. And the worst part? At first I overlooked all of the flaws in this game, because deep down there IS something there...but still the mobile version interface is terrible, menus and inventory are just an absolute pain and even block text and buttons STILL. But now, I don't want to overlook them anymore, and it's made me not interested in the PS3 version. I can safely say at this point, I won't be picking the game up on PS3 until long after it's been released and I can see feedback from the community and all. And I definately will not be interested in playing on BOTH until they implement a better save system (should have had player data saved online, on their own cloud/server anyhow). I don't see mobile getting much more support now anyhow, since the whole console/publisher fiasco is over (They decided on the mobile one apparently while they had so much "down time"). And I remember them saying the game was FINISHED, they were just waiting on a release date. Now if you go to the official site, it's not finished - they aren't posting to the forums because they are supposedly so busy "Getting the game ready for console and PC release"... huh? I thought it was already done!?!?! Unfortunately for Trendy, if the mobile version is anything to go by, I'll be avoiding the other ones as well. I would like to add though, I'm not bitter and I don't regret my iOS or Android purchases, because like I said there is something there, for me it just ended sooner than expected and the experience soured me towards any future releases. But no one can ignore all of the mistakes made here, and imo still being made, and if Trendy botches up the console/PC versions this is going to be REAL bad... Because even though the graphics and all look superb on the consoles (even on mobile, honestly), the graphics were never really a "problem" other than performance. And performance was only one problem of many with the game, for a lot of people (performance was never a problem for me, however, since I had a Tegra2 tablet).
I basically agree with you, funkyflychicken! For me, there are two issues that need to be adressed ASAP: 1. A good working online multiplayer. Hell, this is supposed to be a mulitplayer game but it is no fun if there is a connection error at the last wave of a level... and this is happening every second or third game (with wifi connection!)... or the game is laggy as hell, maybe having less than 5 fps. Trendy told us in the beginning that this is a Gamecenter problem and all the problems would be solved by adding Gamespy. Obviously this is not the case. So, what now?!? 2. Server based hosting of save games/character data... Not only the loss of data due to ill working QC showed the need for this, but I want to be able to switch between different devices (iPhone, iPad and so on) without having to start all over again on each device. I still will try the PC version when it is released but I stoped playing the mobile version even though the delays are getting redicilous by now (fall 2010, january 2011, end of february, Q1 2011 (march 2011), later than Q1, TBA.... come on, guys! Even though I read that this might be related to a single plattform requirement, this is getting a little tedious now and the hype surely is fading) I'd really wish that all this will be adressed as I like the game but until then there are tons of other quality games to play for now. Just my 2 cents, now let the fanboy flaming begin
Nope, but if you had backed up your device and therefore it's saves you could get them back. But that one version of Dungeon Defenders did erase your saves, there was no online save...just a device save...so they were lost forever otherwise. As compensation, they are going to give us pets that are mini-versions of our lost selves, for those that submitted to their posted form with their lost character. Trendy immediately came out with a new updated version in like a week or so after the mishap (and another update since then) that does not erase any saves. So if you were waiting to update because of the potential to lose your characters, that's not a problem anymore thankfully. That was just a temporary glitch in the lifespan of this awesome game. @funkyflychicken: I agree with a lot of what you are saying. However, the amount of money most people paid for this game including myself, I am still glad I bought it. I've spent more money on a lot crappier games with a lot less content and a lot less updates than Dungeon Defenders. And if you bought this at $0.99, it's a steal. That is, if it runs okay on your device then it is quite fun, but I realize some people are having problems with it running poorly or not at all still.
Yeah, that's why I said I wasn't bitter, but just felt that I should give my opinion on how these issues have soured me towards the future versions, at least until I see how all of the "Cross platform play" and multiplayer communities work out. I did have a lot of fun initially, playing through the levels with an apprentice. And I don't regret the few bucks I spent on the game at all either. I Just won't be putting any more into it until they really get things together. I have no problems running it. I played it first on an iPod 3GS, and it ran well enough until you got into the harder difficulties of later maps. On my Tegra2 tablet it runs like a champ, I have no issues with the performance side, as far as that's concernred. However I TOTALLY forgot to mention the "disconnect from a game right before you land the finishing blow to the boss/last mob on the last wave" issue. That hit me lots of times I got into a solid online game. It didn't turn out to be the last straw though, the last straw for me was being kicked out of a few games in a row, similar level players, and I wasn't going for any loot or anything, I just wanted to play the level and have fun! (Meaning I wasn't joining and trying to "ninja" mana or chests/loot, I even used the "over here!" button to call others to loot that was for their character, and I got booted!) I would hope that the console version has a STORY to follow, because the developers have explained that the levels are not SUPPOSED to be played in a linear progression order by all of the characters (a big problem, imo, because not everyone wants to play all 4 character types to enjoy the game). Really made that part of the grind just seem that much more banal, but calls out yet another design question - if that's the case, then when you BEAT A LEVEL, WHY DOES IT THEN GO TO SEND YOU ONTO THE NEXT? You would expect then, to get to the next level, and be able to finish it with a solid strategy. But there is a wall in this game that is hit by ALL characters, regardless of which one you pick (but that will dictate WHEN the wall hits you...), at which point you have no choice but to level and loot grind. And you either go for ONE map and exploit the hell out of it (lame), or keep playing the other levels over, and over, and over, and over.... I really hope the PS3 version is different. I have little desire to play on the mobile side anymore (due to Android just beginning to get some real quality games, it's still on my device for an occasional solo run of a level, but it's rare. And after one run, which can take 30 minutes or more per level, I'm usually done and not interested in playing ANOTHER level). That's one GLARING issue with this as a "mobile" game/version. It's not very suited for quick games on the go, which is what the overwhelming majority of the iOS games need to support. I mean, you can't even SAVE a solo game and continue it later, which I'm sure turned a bunch of people off when they realized how long it can take to get through all of the waves on a level. Another major issue also with this as a mobile release - I don't see PC and Console users allowing mobile play with them. This is NOT going to increase the mobile online community. PC and PS3 can choose whether or not mobile can join their games. I can EASILY see why PC/PS3 users are not going to want mobile users in the game. The mobile version is harder to control, has all of these performance and connection issues... But if the console/PC version suffers similar responses to this mobile release I'm ok moving on to the next game. I also think it was due to the loss of their original publisher that caused some of the delays, as well as Microsoft not allowing the cross platform play on 360 (360 users will only be playing with other 360 users). Right now they are advertising cross platform between mobile, pc, and ps3. But I'm not going to believe THAT even works well until I see it.
@ Funkyflychicken Re: getting kicked from games, you have to understand that in a game with no built in chat, you could be playing with any random lunatic or 6 year old. I say 6 year old because, well, my 6 year old son is level 28 now, and I allow him to play freely on the ipad. You play with random folks, you take your chances. There is an IRC channel you can join, http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=dungeondefenders&uio=d4# Playing with those folks is much better. No six year olds for one thing. Re: leveling/grinding. Well, yes, you cant go straight through the game, level by level, even on easy. Thats true. However, if you level in the quickest way, its pretty darn fast -- up to 120,000 xp in under 10 minutes through 3 man zippy terror on insane. Hop on the IRC channel and ask about it. Agree it can be painful to level your first character if you dont get guidance/help at some poitn. Game is not perfect, but its pretty good on idevices and will be better on PC with built in chat and ability to handle higher unit counts with no slow downs. At its best, its Diablo + Tower Defense. At its worst, well, you guys covered that
@funkyflychicken: Exactly my thoughts about this "cross platform play" thing. I seriously doubt players playing on console would want to play with mobile players due to the issues you listed. They really should have focus more on refining the single player (and perhaps, local multiplayer) experience above other things.
It was, there is still a ton of stuff one has to do to actually get the game on XBLA, PSN, etc once it's (re-)approved for those platforms. That's what the whole team is busy with right now! Lost Heroes are coming, so we haven't forgotten about all of you!
It's not easy to get a game approved on PSN or XBLA. Tweaks will be needed to make to the game code to adhere Sony's or Microsoft's requirements. I suppose we should all be more patient, I want my guardian too!
It's not that I'm impatient, I was actually one of the more vocal supporters of Trendy in the beginning. I really don't care WHEN the PS3/PC/360 versions release, I would prefer that Trendy not work everyone in hyperdrive trying to make some unrealistic release date. And as I stated, I really don't WANT the newer versions at this point in time, not until I read reviews and forum posts as to the stability and community that grows (or fails to grow, as it is with the mobile version), and how the game plays both solo and multiplayer. As a solo game, I was happy enough with the few dollars I spent. As a multiplayer game, I was entirely disappointed. Constructive Criticism is good, it is needed, and hopefully it will help Trendy learn from the mistakes that have plagued their mobile release on both platforms (although ESPECIALLY plagued iOS). But even now there are still bugs (trading has a big one, where loot can disappear) and serious UI issues with the mobile release, and now with the console release taking 100%, the mobile version HAS to be ignored. What happens now for this small team that went in WAY over their head, if the console version gets botched? Mobile will be lucky to see any fixes or updates for quite a long time, especially if sales don't pick up. BTW - I play this game on mobile devices, I am NOT going to be going to my PC, going on a forum to try and find people to play the game with (nor am I going to keep a browser open on my tablet/phone chatting on a forum just so that the game experience doesn't end up sucking). I posted here regularly in the beginning, I played a few good games at the start with a few TouchArcade people. But as time went on with the game, the community has collapsed and it's really hard to get into a random, "quick" game (which is mostly all I have time for anyhow, I don't game all day long or for hours at a time). So I'm sorry, I (nor will anywhere NEAR the majority of players) go to a forum to make sure the game is enjoyable. Anyone who wants to do that, sure... go for it. Just know, however, you can't cover up a glaring flaw in a game by basically saying, "Well hey, you could jump through these inane hoops before playing the game, if you actually wanted to enjoy it! And six year olds online... don't get me started. I hate parents who set their kids loose online and then say "Eh, if they are obnoxious, deal with it, it's the way it is online with 6 year olds". Um, no... have some parenting skill and keep your kids off of the internet at such early ages where they have very little responsibility and respect learned! I'm not suggesting your kid is that way, but YOU were basically suggesting that 6 year olds will just act like that, and it should be accepted. I disagree completely, obviously even with the idea of a 6 year old online unsupervised period. Please understand I am not attacking the original poster per-se about his involvment or child, but the general idea. Reminds me of my wife's friends, few of which have their 10-12 year olds on Facebook, posting lewd comments and photos to each other. And the parents claim they can't control what the kids do with their PC's and their phones...It's just poor parenting, with an even poorer excuse to try and justify it. I see the online situation with gaming no different.
Funkyfly, I can't agree with you more. I used to play DD all the time. If you look on the first 20 pages of this forum I'm all over it but after 4.0 I quit. Trendy was unaware of what was coming. And although this game WAS great they lost their focus. What this game couldve been was somethin really special but lag and bugs plagued the iOS version and now I'm unaware if I'll even buy the 360 version as I'm limited on money and portal 2 is coming soon and I've got my eyes on that. So trendy, good luck.
