Defense Grid: The Awakening vs V Rising
A full spec-by-spec comparison of Defense Grid: The Awakening vs V Rising — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.
| Specification | Defense Grid: The Awakening Hidden Path Entertainment | V Rising Stunlock Studios |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release Date | December 8, 2008 | May 8, 2024 |
| Availability | Released | Released |
| Age Rating | Everyone 10+ | — |
| Developer | Hidden Path Entertainment | Stunlock Studios |
| Publisher | Hidden Path Entertainment | Stunlock Studios |
| Official Site | https://www.hiddenpath.com/game/defense-grid | https://playvrising.com/ |
| Gameplay | ||
| Genre | Strategy, Indie | Action, Adventure, Massively Multiplayer |
| Game Modes | Single-player | Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op, Online Co-op |
| Average Playtime | 4 hours | 7 hours |
| Platforms & Pricing | ||
| Platforms | PC, Xbox, Apple Macintosh | PC |
| Available On | Steam, Epic Games Store | Steam |
| PC Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirements | Supported OS: Windows XP, Vista Processor: 1.8GHz CPU or higher Memory: 512 MB RAM Hard disk space: 1GB available space DirectX version: DirectX 9.0c or higher, June 2008 version or later Video: Video: DirectX 9 video card with shader 2 support such as the following: ATI Radeon 9600 or newer (9600-9800, X300-X1950, HD 2400-HD 4870) NVIDIA GeForce 6100 or newer (6100-6800, 7100-7950, 8300-8800, 9600-9800, or GTX 216-280) | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i5-6600, 3.3 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, 3.5 GHz Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 2 GB or AMD Radeon R7 360, 2 GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 7 GB available space Additional Notes: Minimum System Requirements might change in the future |
| Recommended Requirements | Supported OS: Windows XP, Vista Processor: dual core 2.0GHz CPU or higher Memory: 1GB RAM XP, 1.5GB RAM Vista Hard disk space: 1GB available space DirectX version: DirectX 9.0c or higher, June 2008 version or later Video: DirectX 9 video card with shader 3 support and 256MB VRAM such as the following: ATI Radeon X700 or newer (X700-X1950, HD 2400-HD 4870) NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or newer (7600-7950, 8300-8800, 9600-9800, or GTX 216-280) Controller: Optionally supports Microsoft Game Controller for Windows | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i5-11600K, 3.9 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 3.7 GHz Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX 590, 8 GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 7 GB available space Additional Notes: Recommended System Requirements might change in the future |
| Critic & Community Scores | ||
| Metacritic | 81 / 100 | — |
| Community Rating | 3.4 / 5 (106 ratings) | 3.7 / 5 (175 ratings) |
Defense Grid: The Awakening vs V Rising: which should you buy?
Defense Grid: The Awakening is better for a Filipino buyer prioritizing affordability and simple, portable gameplay. It costs less to run on older hardware and offers a concise 4-hour experience, making it ideal for casual, on-the-go use. V Rising is worth considering if you value longer sessions and online collaboration, but it demands a modern PC with 12 GB RAM and broadband internet, which is pricier and less accessible for many. Your choice depends on whether you want a low-cost, single-player title or a resource-intensive, multiplayer experience.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run?
Defense Grid: The Awakening requires a Windows XP/Vista setup with 512 MB RAM and 1 GB storage, while V Rising needs a Windows 10 64-bit PC with 12 GB RAM and 7 GB storage. The latter’s hardware demands are higher, making it costlier to operate.
Which is more powerful?
V Rising requires NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti/AMD R7 360 with 2 GB, while Defense Grid: The Awakening supports video cards like ATI Radeon 9600/NVIDIA GeForce 6100. V Rising’s hardware is significantly more demanding.
Which is better for daily commuting?
Defense Grid: The Awakening is single-player and runs on older PC specs, making it portable and low-resource. V Rising is multiplayer and requires broadband internet, limiting on-the-go play.
What is the average playtime?
Defense Grid: The Awakening averages 4 hours, while V Rising averages 7 hours.