Sanctum 2 cover art

Sanctum 2

2013Coffee Stain StudiosPlayStation 3, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox 360

In Sanctum 2, you will have to utilize elements of multiple gameplay genres to succeed. Build towers and walls during the building phase before the enemies attack, then jump into the fray and help your towers blast everything to pieces in FPS-mode. You can progress through the single player campaign yourself, or play up to 4-player co-op with your friends to discover the secrets of the planet LOEK III and why the aliens are so set on destroying the Cores you are sworn to protect.

What it feels like

The hybrid FPS/tower defense action and co-op combat support a fast-paced, thrilling moment-to-moment experience.

Exhilarating50%

What it's about

Set on planet LOEK III with aliens as enemies, grounding the experience in a sci-fi setting. The core objective involves protecting Cores from hordes of deadly aliens—a defensive survival premise.

Science Fiction75%
Survival Against Nature65%

How it plays

Tower Defense is explicitly named as the core hybrid mechanic—building towers and walls during a planning phase before enemies attack. FPS-mode combat where the player actively shoots enemies is a co-equal pillar of the hybrid design alongside tower defense. Four unique character classes are available for players to choose from, defining roles and abilities.

Tower Defense95%
Gunplay90%
Class System70%
Resource Management60%
Real-Time Strategy55%
Party Management35%

How it looks and sounds

The game explicitly transitions into first-person view during combat phases to enable direct FPS participation.

First-Person85%

How it's structured

Up to 4-player online co-op is prominently featured and supported as a core multiplayer mode. A single-player campaign is available as an alternative to co-op, making solo play a supported option. Enemies attack in waves during the active combat phase after a building phase, structuring play around escalating enemy assaults.

Online Co-op80%
Single-Player75%
Wave Defense65%
Mission-Based50%
Seamless World40%

Shares Gunplay, First-Person, Online Co-op, Science Fiction.

Both lean into Gunplay, First-Person, Online Co-op, Science Fiction.

Gunplay90%First-Person95%Online Co-op95%Science Fiction85%

Shares Gunplay, First-Person, Online Co-op, Wave Defense.

Both lean into Gunplay, First-Person, Online Co-op, Wave Defense.

Gunplay95%First-Person95%Online Co-op85%Wave Defense90%

Shares Gunplay, First-Person, Online Co-op, Science Fiction.

Both lean into Gunplay, First-Person, Online Co-op, Science Fiction.

Gunplay95%First-Person90%Online Co-op80%Science Fiction80%

See all games like Sanctum 2

A lesser-known kindred — Tower Defense, Science Fiction, Real-Time Strategy, Mission-Based. 87% positive across 4,686 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Tower Defense, Single-Player, Science Fiction, Real-Time Strategy.

Tower Defense90%Single-Player80%Science Fiction80%Real-Time Strategy85%

A lesser-known kindred — Gunplay, First-Person, Science Fiction, Exhilarating. 96% positive across 4,402 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Gunplay, First-Person, Single-Player, Science Fiction.

Gunplay95%First-Person90%Single-Player85%Science Fiction75%

A lesser-known kindred — Gunplay, Tower Defense, Online Co-op, First-Person. 90% positive across 4,382 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Gunplay, Tower Defense, Online Co-op, First-Person.

Gunplay70%Tower Defense65%Online Co-op65%First-Person60%
Work on Sanctum 2?Claim this page to correct details or add missing context.