Days Bygone: Castle Defense

About

"Days Bygone - Castle Defense" is an action-packed game with a unique plot, masterful mechanics, marvelous visuals, and a good soundtrack. However, it features lots of grinding, annoying ads, and is full of bugs. Players upgrade gear, recruit heroes, and defeat enemies in this fun and addictive defense game. Despite its flaws, the game's humor keeps players engaged.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,784 reviews

gameplay102 positive mentions

monetization252 negative mentions

The game is well polished and offers gameplay diversity without needless complexity.
The art style is simple but aesthetically pleasing, and the monetization seems fair and unintrusive.
The game is addictive and has a good mix of constant interaction and idling.

The amount of grinding is unreal, and basic QoL features are locked behind a paywall.
The game becomes tedious after a certain point, especially with the invincibility frames of mobs.
There are issues with bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as not being able to collect daily rewards.

monetization
333 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
5%
76%
The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with most players appreciating the absence of forced ads and the optional nature of advertisements for rewards. While some users find the microtransactions to be somewhat overpriced, many agree that the game remains enjoyable without spending money, as all content can be accessed through gameplay. Overall, the game strikes a balance between providing optional ads for bonuses and maintaining a fair, non-intrusive monetization strategy.
- “The option to purchase the no ads ability is reasonably priced and makes the game a lot more enjoyable.”
- “This game has to be the best free-to-play game I've ever seen; no ads unless you want a reward, but the reward is nice since the game is so fun that you don't need ads to earn more things.”
- “Fun gameplay and in-app purchases are actually reasonably priced.”
- “Microtransactions are overpriced.”
- “4 stars because unless you buy the ad blocker (about $4), you're pretty much watching ads all the time just because doubling money is so important.”
- “Just the abundance of ads is actually too much, too many games have this 'option' to watch an ad for more gold.. and if you don't you fall short.. no I'm good, it ruins the gamer experience, we shouldn't have to tolerate this.”
gameplay
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
33%
7%
The gameplay is generally well-received, praised for its polish, simplicity, and addictive nature, making it a solid time-killer. However, many players note that it can become repetitive and tedious, especially at higher levels, with some expressing frustration over grinding and the auto-battle feature. While the game offers diverse mechanics and enjoyable graphics, there are calls for deeper gameplay elements and improvements to maintain long-term engagement.
- “It is well polished and offers some gameplay diversity, without resorting to needless complexity.”
- “Great core gameplay, the perfect time killer pretty much.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic, it is easy to get the things provided in the game.”
- “Further updated review: gameplay gets pretty boring at higher levels, especially with the auto-battle feature.”
- “The game was great at the beginning, but the more you play, the more boring it gets. The game feels static with no changes, just fights with upgrades to make progress. Also, the portal skip mechanic is frustrating when you're AFK or not paying attention, as it lets your heroes do the rest but they don't attack the portal, making rewinding more torturous.”
- “Good for an hour, but then you hit the true core of the game, which is repeatedly rewinding to get perks, especially the one that reduces the number of waves per day, which is insanely tedious. The main gameplay is very dull and requires constant attention unless you pay for the autoplay.”
grinding
131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The reviews highlight that the game is heavily focused on grinding, which can be both enjoyable and tedious depending on the player's perspective. While some players appreciate the grind for character progression and rewards, others find it repetitive and time-consuming, especially in the later stages. Overall, the game caters well to fans of grind-heavy mechanics, but it may become overwhelming for those seeking a more balanced experience.
- “It's a really good game; it isn't as grindy as it looks, and the art style and sprites look amazing. It is kind of luck-based with the way you get new weapons, and you might be a little lost at the start, but it's definitely worth a try.”
- “Ads aren't intrusive and not too grindy.”
- “The core gameplay loop isn't too bad, but the amount of grinding is unreal.”
- “It makes the game tedious, not difficult.”
- “After you hit about day 150 to 200, the game becomes very tedious unless you have auto battle, which is 7-8 bucks.”
graphics
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
25%
3%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their simple yet aesthetically pleasing art style, often described as cute or reminiscent of classic pixel art. Many players appreciate the smooth performance and fluid gameplay, with some noting a nostalgic feel that enhances the overall experience. While a few reviews mention minor issues like lag or a desire for more detailed graphics, the consensus is that the visuals effectively complement the gameplay and contribute to the game's charm.
- “The art style is amazing, and for a mobile game, the story is quite good.”
- “Amazing graphics and framerate, very fluid game.”
- “I love the pixel graphics.”
- “The graphics are a bit meh but I'm okay with it, though I do occasionally get a lag spike here and there which I don't like but nothing I can't live with.”
- “Wow, the graphics are a little bad, but the game was fun and so exciting.”
- “The graphics are basic but I don't mind it; it makes the game better to me.”
story
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
49%
7%
The game's story is often described as intriguing but ultimately underdeveloped, with many players noting that it starts strong but becomes repetitive and lacks depth as the game progresses. While some appreciate the eerie atmosphere and character backstories, others find the narrative bland and disconnected, leading to a desire for more substantial storytelling and campaign elements. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the gameplay is enjoyable, the story could benefit from further expansion and refinement.
- “There's a story of the mysterious character defending himself from evil creatures, and I love the story actually... the graphics are nice!”
- “The art style is amazing, and for a mobile game, the story is quite good.”
- “Very awesome game and I love how it has a story on how this started.”
- “Though I do have one issue, the story is a bit bland after a while and then soon there's no story at all, just progressing non-stop.”
- “Game story is only at the beginning, and it goes nowhere; pretty disappointed.”
- “Bad, boring, uninteresting story; only looks cool but it's not.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
50%
15%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth, with many players describing it as beautiful, heartwarming, and intense, effectively enhancing the gaming experience. It sets the tone for various gameplay moments, from relaxing home screen melodies to intense boss battles, although some users noted concerns about potential musical asset theft and suggested improvements for sound options. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “❤ The music is overwhelmingly great, heartwarming, and also intense at the same time.”
- “The game also has the best music I've ever heard.”
- “Game is very entertaining and pretty to look at; the soundtrack is beautiful.”
- “Also stole musical assets from another game I'm currently playing on mobile.”
- “A couple of things to add: an option to change the main menu music, maybe update the sound design of it all?”
- “The soundtrack sounds like Naruto sadness and sorrow.”
humor
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
16%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying its hilarious character voices, funny references, and entertaining gameplay mechanics, such as the anticipation of opening weapon boxes. While many find the humor to be a significant draw, some mention that the cringe factor can detract from the experience. Overall, the game is described as both funny and addictive, contributing to its appeal.
- “The heroes have a rich backstory and are voiced hilariously.”
- “I love how funny it is and how unique it is.”
- “This game is funny, not gonna lie.”
- “The game is great, but one problem is that sometimes when you rewind and go idle, it doesn't move and gets stuck, which is not funny.”
- “The humor in the game falls flat; it feels forced and doesn't land well.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes are stale and often miss the mark.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
92%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing frequent crashes, freezes during ads, and issues with game authentication. However, others report a smooth experience with no bugs or glitches, indicating that stability may vary depending on the device and specific circumstances. Overall, while some players enjoy the game without issues, many others face significant stability problems that hinder their gameplay.
- “No bugs, no glitches; everything works smoothly and is really well balanced.”
- “The game runs flawlessly without any crashes, providing a stable experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to focus on strategy without interruptions.”
- “Sometimes when you watch an ad, the game freezes on a black screen.”
- “Every time I get an ad, after the ad is over the game crashes and/or freezes, forcing me to close the app.”
- “Edit: cannot get into the game; authentication freezes my game and I literally cannot play.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability with its engaging mechanics, challenging modes, and a gacha system, making it enjoyable for players. However, some users noted that it may lack depth in replay value for certain aspects.
- “Definitely worth picking up for the low price of nothing, no invasive ads, good tower defense, replayability, insane stacking, and challenging modes.”
- “Fun game, easy to learn, lots of replayability.”
- “It has the playability of Pickcrafter, the upgrade amount of Idle Slayer, and the replay value of Tap Titans, with a neat little gacha system as well.”
- “Not a lot of replay value.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply impactful, with music that is both heartwarming and intense, enhancing their overall experience. The game consistently delivers wholesome moments that evoke a sense of joy and satisfaction, encouraging players to savor their progress while also desiring more engagement with the character's actions.
- “The music is overwhelmingly great, heartwarming, and intense at the same time.”
- “Every time you think, 'I'm pretty well off now, I should keep things slow,' you get something new, which is another wholesome experience with new cool stuff.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players praise the game's optimization, noting smooth controls and minimal lag, which contribute to an impressive performance and gameplay experience. However, some users express a desire for options to increase game speed.
- “Get 240 rubies and buy yourself a legendary hero or legendary weapon to improve your performance in the game.”
- “This game is great; the controls run smoothly with little to no lag. I just wish you could speed it up.”
- “Impressive! The performance, gameplay, and graphics are all excellent. Great job!”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is enhanced through a diverse weapon selection, each offering unique perks, and an ascension system that allows for deeper progression. Players appreciate the multiple stats that contribute to gameplay, creating an enjoyable experience without intrusive ads, unless opted for to gain advantages.
- “The character development is impressive, with different weapon selections, each offering unique perks that enhance gameplay.”
- “The ascension system adds depth to character development, allowing players to evolve their characters in meaningful ways.”
- “The multiple stats available for character development create a very pleasant experience, making each choice feel impactful.”