Arknights

"Arknights" is a mobile tower defense game where you run a pharmaceutical company, Rhodes Island, fighting a deadly infection and its aftermath. As a key member, recruit and train operators, assigning them to various missions to protect the innocent and maintain peace. With your leader Amiya, strategize and make tactical decisions to resist chaos and bring order to the world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,140 reviews

story290 positive mentions

grinding168 negative mentions

Arknights features a unique blend of tower defense and gacha mechanics, providing engaging gameplay that requires strategic thinking.
The game is very free-to-play friendly, allowing players to progress without spending money, and lower rarity characters can still be effective in clearing stages.
The art, music, and character designs are exceptional, contributing to an immersive experience that keeps players invested in the story and characters.

The sanity system can be restrictive, limiting the amount of gameplay and requiring players to wait for energy to replenish, which can be frustrating.
Some players find the story and dialogue to be lengthy and convoluted, making it difficult to stay engaged with the narrative.
There is a lack of quality of life features, such as an auto-repeat function for farming stages, which can make grinding for resources tedious.

story
631 mentions
46 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and intricate world-building, often described as one of the best in mobile gaming. While some players find the pacing slow and the dialogue lengthy, many appreciate the rich lore and emotional narrative that unfolds as they progress. Overall, the combination of a compelling storyline, beautiful art, and a strong soundtrack enhances the gaming experience, making it a standout title in the tower defense genre.
- “The story writing is brilliant, the atmosphere, the lore, the world, the characters, the music, the backgrounds, the dialogues... just perfect.”
- “Every event is compelling, the cast is varied and complex, and the story and worldbuilding stand a cut above any of its contemporaries.”
- “The story is incredibly moving, and the gameplay is very fun.”
- “The story is decent, but the writing is really bloated.”
- “The story can be a bit bloated though.”
- “The story was confusing and was hard to take in at first but it'll start making sense around chapter 2-3 and it's really interesting.”
gameplay
445 mentions
53 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Arknights is widely praised for its depth and strategic complexity, combining traditional tower defense mechanics with unique character abilities and diverse stage designs that require thoughtful planning and adaptability. Players appreciate the engaging challenge it presents, especially in later levels, while also noting the game's accessibility for newcomers. Despite some criticisms regarding grind and certain mechanics, the overall experience is described as rewarding and enjoyable, making it a standout in the gacha genre.
- “The gameplay is uniquely dynamic within the tower defense genre, and the story actually has a lot to say about humans and their struggle.”
- “The gameplay is fun and enticing, but the story is somber, complex, engrossing (and for those who don't care, entirely and easily skippable).”
- “The gameplay is simple yet challenging, encouraging the player to try multiple strategies to complete certain stages.”
- “I felt like the game's gameplay lost its charm on me with the grind.”
- “The level design is okay but gets worse in endgame, especially boss fights where they introduce all sorts of annoying mechanics that make you lose every time unless you do a very specific thing.”
- “Gameplay feels ever monotonous each update passes and rewards given are no longer worth the efforts.”
music
185 mentions
65 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality and variety, often described as better than many AAA titles. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many tracks being memorable and engaging. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal and immersive experience.
- “The variety and quality of music in and off the game is simply awesome that one must hear it first to believe, and you will forget this is a tower defense game!”
- “The music is amazing, and every character has so much personality.”
- “The music is out of this world, art is fresh and inviting, gameplay is challenging yet never infuriating.”
- “Personally, I found the characters, story, and OST all to be incredibly boring.”
- “I have music turned off and the sound effects and voice turned down lower than my music when I farm stages at work.”
- “I turn off all sounds, music, voices, sound effects, and then every time I switch sound output even though they are set to zero the sound is back to full and I can't adjust mid-match so I have to pause my audiobook and wait to redo the settings.”
graphics
171 mentions
68 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork, unique character designs, and engaging visual aesthetics, contributing significantly to the overall experience. While many players appreciate the high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay, some have reported performance issues on low-end devices, suggesting the need for adjustable graphics settings to enhance accessibility. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics, captivating music, and a well-crafted storyline makes it a standout title in the genre.
- “Gorgeous graphics and characters, most player-friendly gacha out there, engaging story, fun and diverse gameplay.”
- “The visuals and art for the playable operators enhance the experience, making it enjoyable even for those who may struggle with resource management and tower defense mechanics.”
- “The graphics are really nice, the story is sometimes inconsistent, which is a huge problem if you want to be immersed in the story, the gameplay, omg, this game is so full of content, with different operators, making a base, and there's also a bit of grinding.”
- “I wish there were an option to set a limit on the graphics of the game, especially for low-end devices (like mine), because it keeps crashing during events where the graphics are too high for my phone. It crashed immediately, and there were lags around certain stages, like environmental hazards such as the sandstorm. I hope this gets implemented in future updates.”
- “Let us turn down the damn visuals instead of lagging devices.”
- “Cons: huge game size, bad tutorials, too many clicks, tedious grinding, difficulty spikes, lacking starter supplies, bad pity system, and lacks animated 2D graphics (old-fashioned).”
grinding
169 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely regarded as excessive and time-consuming, particularly in the late game where players must repeatedly farm for materials and upgrades. While some appreciate the auto-deploy feature that allows for passive grinding, many express frustration over the lack of quality-of-life improvements, such as a skip function or faster speeds for farming stages. Overall, while the game offers engaging gameplay and a rich roster of characters, the grinding can feel tedious and may deter some players from fully enjoying the experience.
- “I'm having a hard time passing the next levels because my operators are not on par. Maybe I can do it, but I'm really not dedicated enough to make it through the harder levels.”
- “The game is fun for the first and maybe mid chapters of the game but will become exceptionally grindy after, the game turns into a literal chore and job after the 5th chapter.”
- “The only downside is the auto-battle for farming; I wish there were some sort of auto proxy like in 'annihilation' mode because it is very time-consuming.”
- “The grinding is not that intense if you don't want to.”
character development
70 mentions
71 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting exceptional character designs that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing, setting it apart from typical gacha games. The depth of the characters' backstories and the engaging storyline contribute to a strong emotional connection, while the art, voice acting, and music enhance the overall experience. Many players appreciate the balance between character design and gameplay mechanics, noting that the characters feel well-integrated into the game's world and narrative.
- “The character designs are all unique, and all of their backstories add layer and depth to the writing.”
- “The story is great (although a little slow sometimes but it does pick up pace later), and the art + character design is immaculate.”
- “I love tower defense, I love this game, it's just the character designs are not stable.”
- “The character designs and skins, as well as how well-thought-out the characters and story are, is truly amazing.”
- “Arknights may have lengthy dialogue in-between levels, but in my opinion, it fleshes out the story and character development in the game.”
monetization
58 mentions
19 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
55 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is generally viewed as fair and free-to-play friendly, with many players appreciating the absence of ads and the optional nature of in-game purchases. While some users express frustration with the game's advertising strategies, they note that microtransactions are not necessary for enjoying the game or progressing through content. Overall, the game is praised for its balance between monetization and gameplay, making it a standout in the mobile gaming market.
- “Intriguing story, flawless graphics, in-game purchases well worth spending, constant fun events and updates, and lovable characters with unique kits and beautiful art illustrations.”
- “Although this game has microtransactions, I had not spent a single cent and still enjoyed it regardless because of how free-to-play friendly it is; no features are exclusive for pay-to-play players only.”
- “Monetization wise the game is quite fair and free-to-play friendly.”
- “It seems lately like every update intends to remove quality of life from the game while adding more in-app purchases into the shop.”
- “What a cash grab, I know it's a gacha but it's just too difficult makes me want to quit.”
- “Nonstop extremely annoying and distasteful ads gave me an eternal grudge against this game.”
stability
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report no glitches or bugs during their experience, others have encountered issues such as freezing cutscenes and occasional auto-battle system glitches. The reclamation algorithm has improved, but there are still concerns about the learning curve and limited activities when sanity runs out.
- “The reclamation algorithm is now working properly, but the sad thing is the cutscenes now freeze whenever you receive something during the dialogue.”
- “The auto battle system glitches occasionally, and there's no option to skip.”
- “It's a fun game, but it's buggy at times.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply impactful, with a compelling story that evokes strong feelings through its tragic and heartfelt lore. The combination of beautiful art, an emotional soundtrack, and well-designed characters enhances the overall experience, making it a game that resonates with its community. Despite some pacing issues in the narrative, the emotional depth and community engagement contribute to a rewarding investment of time and effort.
- “Arknights is one of the few games that have made me emotional while reading it.”
- “Arknights is a phenomenally designed tactics game with emotionally intelligent stories.”
- “The lore is tragic, heartfelt, and exciting.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find humor in the game's absurdities and deep lore, often highlighting the irony in challenging gameplay mechanics and the exaggerated concept of "sanity." The comedic elements are appreciated in both the main story and event narratives, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience despite some frustrations with game modes.
- “I read a lot of 1★ reviews and reading their explanations is funny.”
- “The story is funny, and yeah... well done devs, thank you!”
- “It's a great strategy tower defense type with some thinking needed, the story is great and sometimes funny with the event ones.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Users have expressed concerns about the game's optimization, noting that recent updates have negatively impacted performance, leading to crashes and long loading times. While the gameplay and graphics are praised, there are calls for improvements in storage and graphics optimization, as well as better performance management to prevent overheating during play. Overall, players feel that enhancing optimization would significantly improve their gaming experience.
- “Extremely good gameplay, beautiful story, balanced operator stats, unique environmental graphics. It would be great if you could add graphics optimization, more mechanics, and of course, more hunters and events. Very good game! Also, add more interactions with the operators, including in the dorm.”
- “I turned off performance mode and base floodlights, and it still overheats after 10 to 15 minutes of playing.”
- “I feel like storage optimization needs to be improved somehow.”
- “Recent updates have downgraded performance and made the game very flaky, causing crashes or long wait times to load the next screen.”
- “I turned off performance mode and base floodlights, yet the game still overheats after 10 to 15 minutes of playing.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its brilliant storytelling, immersive lore, and captivating music, all of which contribute to a stunning and engaging experience. Players find the combination of level design and soundtracks particularly effective in creating a memorable and addictive environment. Overall, the atmosphere is a key element that keeps players invested in the game long-term.
- “The story writing is brilliant, the atmosphere, the lore, the world, the characters, the music, the backgrounds, the dialogues... just perfect.”
- “The game's atmosphere is just stunning; it got me hooked for a year now, and I still can't get enough of this game.”
- “The music, the atmosphere, and the level design of the game are what's keeping me in it.”
replayability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players note that the game offers significant replayability through its roguelite mode and the ability to optimize gameplay strategies, despite some criticism of reliance on gimmicks. However, the quick stamina depletion can make grinding feel repetitive, suggesting that while replayability is present, it may not be entirely fulfilling for all players.
- “Has a roguelite mode that requires no stamina or cooldown, offering endless replay value.”
- “The grind is quick due to how quickly stamina gets spent, and the incentive to redo and optimize autos for speed and trust farming adds significant replayability.”
- “Now if only missions had a 'claim all' button... it also relies very heavily on cheap gimmicks to force replayability.”
- “The grind is quick because of how quickly stamina gets spent, and the incentive to redo and optimize autos for speed and trust farming adds enough replayability.”