A far cry from the original arcade game, Defender for the PS2 comes equipped with colorful 3D graphics that leave the original's particle effects, which were nearly unheard of at the time, in the dust. Every unit and building is modeled nicely, and you can even see the colonists kicking and squirming while they hang on to the underside of your wing. The landscapes are also well done, and as equal in diversity as they are in beauty. Missions on Mars, Earth, and even outer space are included, making what little repetition there is easy on the eyes.

Familiars of the older game will instantly recognize some of the same sound effects from the arcade version. These reminiscent bits of audio are a nice perk to the game, and are good enough even if you have never even played the older version. The music is also good, though barely noticeable in the thick of battle.

As the original Defender had you flying around shooting aliens and saving astronauts, so too does this version, but in a deeper, more violent sort of way. Missions now take place on other planets, with a variety of goals ranging from search and destroy to protecting an entire base from a Manti attack.

Not only are there more missions, a strategic value has been added to the game. One part of this comes from the ability to unlock and upgrade six different ships. You start out with the tried and true Defender spacecraft, along with a hulking beast called the Guardian. As you progress through levels, more ships become available to you. The points you earn along the way can go to upgrades for each ship, but it isn't just a matter of maxing them all out. Each mission will require a different tactic, and consequently, a different ship. How they are customized for different tasks is up to you.

The other strategic element in Defender comes from your ability to purchase battlefield units during certain missions. These units include tanks and repair vehicles, but it doesn't stop there. Your ship can not only pick up colonists, but these battlefield units as well, giving you the opportunity to reinforce different sectors of the map at your leisure. This adds a nice twist to the gameplay by taking a step away from constant action and making you think a bit more than was previously necessary.

Also new to this latter version is a two-player mode. Offering both Cooperative and Deathmatch modes, this option adds a lot to the replay value. Though it is limited to just two people, it's still worth a run with a friend.

Having played the original Defender isn't necessary to get a grasp on this game, but it is always recommended, if not for experience, then for the fun of playing a classic. It still has an almost arcade feel to it, which makes it easier to pick up and play, but without some dedicated playing time, you will probably miss some important features. A lot of the levels aren't all that hard, but a few will definitely have you sweating at the end.

The most advanced aspect of this game in comparison to its predecessor is the control. Given that the environment is 3D now instead of a 2D side-scroller, things get a little more in-depth. Advanced air maneuvers can now be performed, and while they wouldn't make Chuck Yeager stand up and cheer, they are a far cry from the original's, 'fly left or right'.

There are only a few problems with Defender, but they can all be overlooked once you really get into the game. A lot of slowdown occurs in the two-player mode, and there is no shortage of enemies in the missions, which makes for some serious performance problems at times. Also, trying to fly over and pick up those tiny colonists can get a little troublesome in the faster ships, as you have to hit them dead on. But all in all, these infractions don't seriously take away from the overall worth of this game. If you loved the arcade version, or you just want a fun little game to play, Defender is definitely your ticket.