A successful connection between the TV series and online game?
Defiance is twofold; on one hand, it is a successful American science fiction series, and on the other, it is an online game of the same name that presents itself as a Massive Multiplayer Third-Person Shooter (MMOTPS). The twist is that both are interconnected. This means that anyone who wants to experience the full extent of the science fiction story must engage with both. It’s not new that video games and films or TV series can be found together; usually, one is a spinoff or at least inspired by the other. However, in this case, both media interact with each other and, if the desired effect works, this indeed presents a certain added value. Moreover, the TV series is supposed to influence the game, and the players, in turn, influence the storyline of the series. Whether the concept works is something we want to test for you while also presenting the online game itself.
What can be stated in any case is that both the TV series and the related game can be consumed independently of each other. This works smoothly for the series, which, although not the ultimate in presentation, has a definitely interesting story to tell and offers entertaining episodes. The game also works largely without the series being known. However, for those who want to dive fully into the world of Defiance and wish for more identification with their Archenjäger, the series is highly recommended.
The scenario
The whole thing takes place in a near future Earth. Through an interstellar war between various alien races and humanity, our planet has been massively altered (keyword: terraforming). Both the environment itself, partly due to military conflicts, as well as the flora and fauna have changed significantly. Human civilization, as we know it, no longer exists, and the scenario presented to the consumer (game/TV series) resembles an interesting mix of apocalyptic scenario, science fiction, and western, spiced with a bit of mystery, politics, and an almost overwhelming enemy in the background.
The TV series is told from the perspective of the inhabitants of Defiance, a city that continually fights for its survival, independent of other factions. As is usual in series, there are numerous main characters, foremost among them the former Archenjäger and now the city’s law enforcer Joshua Nolan and his adoptive daughter Irisa Nyiara. In the accompanying pilot film, both stumble into the multifaceted community of Defiance and promptly save it from certain doom. However, they give up their own “golden” future and remain in the city.
In the game, the character encounters the two protagonists right at the beginning. However, due to the crash of the spaceship the player is on, the paths immediately diverge again. The player takes on the role of an Archenjäger, which will be explained in more detail later. This character works as a freelancer for a man named Karl von Bach, the CEO of Von Bach Industries, who is looking for rare Archentech, i.e., alien technology. As a result of the crash, the trail to von Bach is initially lost, and the first major challenge for our young Archenjäger is to find his footing in the (new) world and locate his employer. This is an interesting starting situation that remains thrilling in the course of the game and is sweetened by numerous side missions.
What is an Archenjäger?
In short, an Archenjäger is a specialist in the recovery and salvage of valuable alien technology or alien minerals in hostile environments.
Due to the destruction of the so-called planet arches, which originally belonged to the Votaner people, countless debris from the massive ships orbit the Earth. These harbor coveted minerals and technologies that become sought-after goods upon crashing on our planet. Such crashes, which occur regularly in the game and promise lucrative loot, are called Archenfälle. The actual goal of most Archenjäger is to earn as much money as possible to move to the ominous Antarctica. It is said to be paradise-like there, and a calm, pleasant evening of life is supposedly guaranteed.
A bag full of weapons, shields, grenades, and nanotechnology!
But before you can dream of that, you will have to fight through the Badlands, the borderland, and complete one deadly mission after another. You will be aided by an arsenal of weapons and the extremely useful EGO implant, which we probably owe to Mr. von Bach. This is an alien nanotechnology that has merged with the Archenjäger, granting him extraordinary abilities. In terms of gameplay, this allows you to customize your character. You gain experience by defeating enemies and completing tasks, and you level up your EGO level. Once you have accumulated enough experience, you can acquire a new upgrade. By the way, against a certain amount of Scrips (the currency in Defiance), you can change your skills at any time. Moreover, not only can the EGO implant be upgraded, but also the different types of weapons can be improved over time. Besides modifications you can attach to weapons, simply using a weapon steadily enhances your proficiency with it.
Topic: Classes in Defiance?
Classes don’t really exist. At the beginning of the game, you can start your Archenjäger as a Veteran, Survivor, Outlaw, or Machinist. Effects: Differences in the clothing you receive at the start, as well as in the second weapon. Otherwise, this supposed class choice doesn’t play a significant role. In the game, you can grab any weapon, choose any kind of skill set, and specialize however you like.
And how do I earn my Scrips?
To generally progress and also earn a ton of cash, you can pursue various paths. Following the main story would be one option; there are numerous side quests, repeatable challenges, of course the Archenfälle, which can yield particularly nice rewards, and much more.
Multigaming is emphasized!
However, it is not a must. Even alone, you can manage quite well. Nevertheless, Defiance, as one might expect from an MMO, thrives on making common cause with other games. You can roam in teams or simply help other Archenjäger with their work; normally, something will always come off for you.
Example: If you reach a point where you need to exterminate heaps of Hellbugs, and two other players have already finished with 2 out of 4 nests, then that status counts for you as well, and you can directly assist them in completing the task.
Group gaming without much fuss. If that isn’t enough for you, proper teams can certainly be formed to tackle larger challenges more effectively.
Small conclusion:
So, up until here, this brief overview should suffice. We will continue to follow up and report directly from the Defiance front. From my perspective, the game, particularly in the atmosphere-enhancing combination with the TV series, is truly successful. There are areas that could still be refined, but overall, Defiance is genuinely enjoyable and a must for all those who appreciate Planetside 2 but find it lacking in content.
Bonus: Below you will find our comprehensive introduction to the game, where we briefly introduce you to getting started in Defiance. If you want to hear and possibly see more about Defiance or have any direct questions about the game, just write directly in the comments! Did you enjoy the post? Then feel free to like, share, comment, and do all that good stuff! 😀
