Click to enlarge

Inside Mac Games has posted a new review of Trendy Entertainment's Dungeon Defenders. The game combines elements of action role playing games with tower defense titles. Players choose from several hero classes, and a variety of weaponry, as they defend Eternia Crystals from hordes of attacking creatures.

Here's an excerpt:

As far as levels go, Dungeon Defenders isn't lacking. Over 70 different maps are included, and while the Mac version doesn't have the mod tools, the PC version does, so you can still access user created content as well. Every map has a different visual look, layout enemy types and scripted surprises. In traditional TD style the enemies come along preset paths at different parts of the map. Playing alone you have to scramble and run around, but when doing multiplayer it's easier to assign each player a section or path to defend. Every round begins with a build phase in which you can place your defenses and plan who does what. You can even switch out your hero class in the build phase if you wish. Once everyone is ready you start the round and off it goes to the attack phase. These alternate until the waves are over and you beat the level. There are 4 difficulty modes, survival missions, challenge maps and more. Plenty to keep even the most diehard of tower defense busy for a long time.

IMG Review: Dungeon Defenders

Dungeon Defenders

Click to enlarge

theBitFix recently posted a new interview with Spiderweb Software's Jeff Vogel, creator of indie RPG favorites such as Geneforge and Avernum. In the interview the veteran developer discussed his recent return to the Exile/Avernum series with Avernum: Escape from the Pit, a complete remake of the original.

TBF: Your remake of Avernum is rebuilding a lot of major aspects of the original game, such as the skill/trait advancement system. Why is that?

Jeff: I redid everything. Every element of the game, every line of text, everything was redone. I put as much work in Avernum: Escape From the Pit as in a new game. I used everything I learned in the years since I wrote it to make it entirely modern, accessible and fun.

TBF: What makes games like Avernum (which is heavily text-based, played from an isometric view, and requires some serious micromanagement) relevant amongst games like The Elder Scrolls V, Kingdoms of Amalur, and the Mass Effect series? What do you offer that they don’t?

Jeff: You seem to assume that there is no longer a demand for an in-depth, tactical role-playing game with a rich world and storyline. Luckily for me, this is not the case. As the big AAA publishers have decided to only make RPGs that are action games with stat-building stuck on, I have continued to cater to the old-school role-playing game fan. Those people totally still exist, even if the big publishers have forgotten about them.

TBF: Have you ever thought about turning to Kickstarter to fund a game? Why or why not?

Jeff: I decided a long time ago that I enjoy being small and low-budget, so I didn’t seek outside funding. It makes me happier. Remember, Kickstarter is only one of many sorts of funding available to me (including old standbys like bank loans). I’ve avoided all of them. It’s probably not wise, but it’s how I work.

theBitFix: Jeff Vogel Interview

Spiderweb Software

Avernum: Escape From The Pit

Buy Avernum: Escape From The Pit

Click to enlarge

Fatshark has announced release dates for its upcoming post-apocalyptic role playing game, Krater. Windows PC gamers will be able to pick up the adventure on June 12, 2012, with a Mac verision coming in July. The top down RPG takes place inside a giant impact crater where the inhabitants live on in the aftermath of a bomb. Krater will feature crafting, exploration, and consequence. One example of such consequence is the possibility that characters may suffer permanent injuries and death.

THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS

Krater takes place in a lush post-apocalyptic game world, a gigantic impact crater where cities and even nations have has been built on the aftermath of a bomb. It is a colorful game exeperince, where genre-typical deserts are replaced by nordic pine forests and red wooden cottages.

BASIC GAME CONCEPT

It combines the combat mechanics of action-rpgs with the top-down tactics of the classic old-school games such as Syndicate and X-Com. The rich world opens up for the players via exploration of the immense world map.

Extensive crafting (craft unique abilities, weapons and items) and character persistence where both injuries and experience work in conjunction are key elements to evolve your team over time and get ready to enter into the end-game.

CORE MECHANICS

• Extensive crafting (craft unique abilities, weapons and items)
  
• Character persistence where both injuries and experience work in conjunction to evolve your team over time.
  
• Simultaneously control a squad of 3 characters chosen from 4 different main classes with a multitude of specializations.
  
• Prepare your team of Freediggers for the end-game and try to get as deep as you can into the main shaft, a dungeon crawler of massive proportions.
  
• Singleplayer/multiplayer which blend seamless with each other. Use your progress from the single player campaign in coop missions and the other way around.

Krater

Buy Krater

Click to enlarge

Inside Mac Games' podcast crew has released two more episodes of the MacGameCast. IMG's Jon Carr, Ted Bade, Franklin Pride, and guest commentators Andrew Lennox and David Silvester discussed a variety of topics including Wasteland 2, Kickstarters, game ratings, and censorship.

What's in the latest episodes:

MacGameCast 17

The MGC crew take on Fallout, Wasteland 2, Kickstarters, Mac Porting, Dungeon Defenders, and upcoming games like Serious Sam 3. Ted gives us the latest WoW updates, Jon gives a special shoutout to Lone Survivor, and Frank discusses PC favorites he'd like to see on Mac.

MacGameCast 18

It's the Australian Edition! Jon brings on Andrew Lennox and David Silvester to discuss gate ratings and censorship, current graphics, engines and performance, and quizzes them on the important factors of the mac game community.

MacGameCast 17

MacGameCast 18

Click to enlarge

MythPeople's Azkend 2: The World Beneath is now available for purchase from Macgamestore.com. The puzzle title sequel features over 60 story mode levels, a variety of unique powerups, over a dozen achievements to unlock. and three game modes.

While traveling from Liverpool to New York your ship was pulled down into a massive maelstrom and you woke up in a place that may have never been gazed upon by the eyes of men. What is the nature of this unreal place and will you be able to travel back to civilization? Azkend 2 will take you on a ride to remember. You'll experience awe, excitement, and even serenity on your unbelievable journey. Take a deep breath and get ready to step on board one of the most fantastic adventures ever created.

Full length description: While traveling from Liverpool to New York your ship was pulled down into a massive maelstrom and you woke up in a place that may have never been gazed upon by the eyes of men. From now on your goal is to escape this unbelievable world and return to civilization.

Step on board one of the most fantastic adventures ever created and enjoy over 60 exciting levels in the story mode. The story of your journey will be told with gorgeous animated full screen cutscenes and professional voice overs. You'll experience awe and wonder through all the eight fantastic sceneries that change constantly as you move through them.

Azkend 2 presents you several exciting level styles throughout the adventure. You can also earn almost 20 unique powerups and over a dozen achievements. Choose your powerups wisely for each level to hasten your journey.

In addition Azkend 2 has two challenge game modes called Time and Medals. The Time-challenge is a quick two minute bite-sized game where you'll try to gain as many points as possible. In the Medals-challenge you can replay all the levels from the story and try to gain a medal from each one.

Features:

• Eight gorgeous hand painted and animated environments
  
• Three game modes: The Grand Adventure plus two challenges
  
• A story that provides sense of awe, excitement and even moments of serenity
  
• 9 active and 9 passive powerups unlockable throughout the game
  
• Amazing sound track custom made for the world of Azkend 2

Azkend 2: The World Beneath

Buy Azkend 2: The World Beneath

Search for other Mac games news stories or browse our Mac Games News Archive.