Iron Brigade Critic Reviews

Trenched is, at the most basic of explanations, a tower-defense game crossed with a third-person mech shooter. But that's a pigeonholed description that doesn't do it justice because it's so much more.

The game won't live forever, and players will eventually max out their requisite and personal challenges, but for the time being it is well worth the price and time to play.

What you need to know is that this is a blisteringly paced, funny, addictive game that never lets up.

One hell of a game. There are tons of loot options and load-outs to try in missions that freely allow you to mix and match strategies to your liking. It's a huge amount of fun to bring friends over to your game in order to go for just another gold medal. The extensive stat tracking will have you coming back repeatedly.

Trenched delivers a lot for its 1200 Microsoft Points tag. It is a new perspective on tower defense and it makes for some frantic gameplay moments, but it does not skimp on the strategic style of it one bit. The action is exciting and the comedy writing is there and really sells it. Double Fine has created a download that is definitely worth your time.

A marvelous action game that outshines everything in its class.

Like Costume Quest and Stacked before it, Trenched is one of those downloadable games that almost makes you feel like you're getting away with robbery for paying $15 for it rather than full retail price.

But those are small problems in what is otherwise a wonderful, simple game. The colored loot calls out to the loot hound in me, and the customization option available for both my mech and his pilot make me want to play a few more matches just to earn the money to trick them out differently. Trenched's campaign isn't terribly long, but like Double Fine's other recent downloadable games, it's completely enjoyable throughout.

Trenched is the best downloadable game I've played all year. Its skillful blend of witty writing, fun shooting, and tactical tower defense makes for hours of replayable gameplay.

On top of the classic Double Fine charm we expected, we found Treched's mechanics more than satisfying, and when you consider the game's approachability and download-only pedigree, the depth is startling.

Trenched has a surprising level of polish, a steady dose of wit, and a consistent supply of mind-synchronizing mechicular combat. It doesn't ask to be qualified with the modifier "for a downloadable game." Trenched is simply a fully-polished, fully-voiced, and fully-realized mech combat game that genuinely cares about making people smile. The game was clearly designed by people who care, and it shows in every way possible.

Trenched stands out as one of the best downloadable titles this year on any platform. The mix of genres works out just right, as the tactical notions of a tower defense game blend in well with the action of a third-person mech shooter.

It's not perfect but, instead of the faults (little things like visual glitches, etc) piling up to become an unbearable thorn in your side, they're more like the eccentricities of a favorite uncle. It's whacky, weird, and wonderful.

Trenched screams personality, polish, and customization. While it is labeled a tower defense game, it allows for so much more. Lack of split screen co-op is disappointing, but overall, Trenched is well worth the dozens of hours you will inevitably invest in it.

From the grimly nostalgic art design to the thrumming soundtrack and exceptional voice acting, it's a slickly presented package from start to finish. It manages to pack just enough complexity into its strategy to offer a challenge without sacrificing action-oriented gameplay that gives a direct sense of agency and control.

There's absolutely no doubt that Trenched offers a deep and entertaining action and strategy experience, built on a familiar premise, molded into an amazingly unique perspective.

It is an enjoyable genre crossover with bit of mech (trench) customization, looting, tower defense and shooting.

Whether if you're a fan of the Tower Defense genre or the Action genre, Iron Brigade is a title not to be missed: the mixture of the two genres it's just perfect and there's a good amount of humor for the ones who love to snatch a laugh while playing.

Trenched is doubtlessly a tower defense game, just one that falls further from the tree than most. Though it takes a few missteps, particularly the tedious scrap collection and the lack of a survival mode, it's ultimately another notch in Double Fine's belt.

Nice tower defense game with lot of action. Multiplayer is brilliant, however single can be a little harsh. Graphics are slightly blurry.