Gnomes

About

Gnomes is a single player casual strategy game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by DYSTOPIAN and was released on April 4, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Gnomes is a single-player fantasy strategy game blending turn-based tower defense and roguelike elements. Defend your garden from goblins by positioning gnomes, growing your economy, and using unique relics and plants on ever-expanding maps with procedurally generated challenges. With compelling mechanics, beautiful visuals, fantastic music, and high replayability, it offers a hilarious yet grinding strategic experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,068 reviews

gameplay49 positive mentions

grinding18 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay with a unique blend of tower defense and roguelike elements.
Charming pixel art and a delightful soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
Variety of strategies and synergies available, making each run feel fresh and rewarding.

Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially in later levels where certain builds may feel unviable.
Some players feel the game lacks depth and content after a few hours of play.
The reliance on RNG for shop items can lead to runs feeling unfair or overly dependent on luck.

gameplay
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
56%
3%
The gameplay of this tower defense game is characterized by a blend of simplicity and depth, featuring unique mechanics that encourage strategic planning and experimentation. Players appreciate the engaging core loop, diverse synergies, and the challenge of mastering its systems, though some find the reliance on luck and micro-management can detract from the experience. Overall, it offers a fresh take on the genre with a charming aesthetic and a rewarding progression system, making it appealing for both casual and dedicated players.
- “A lot of interesting mechanical elements that aren't overpowered on their own but can come together in interesting ways to create broken synergies.”
- “The balance is great and the core gameplay loop does not get old as there are a lot of interesting goals to work towards.”
- “Incredible amount of charm, and addicting gameplay elements.”
- “Gameplay loop feels weird to me and not fun.”
- “The upgrades and gameplay feel like they don't give you a chance to know what you should be doing, so the outcome is based on exploitable conditions, which the game isn't really about - so if you know the game mechanics, you can exploit these conditions, and it becomes unfun, because the game is so much more based on not having good luck as opposed to strategy and RNG.”
- “Already after a few hours the gameplay starts feeling a little stale.”
graphics
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that many players find aesthetically pleasing and fitting for its theme. While some reviews note that the visuals may lack ambition and distinctiveness among units, the overall presentation is described as cozy and effective, enhancing the gameplay experience. Despite mixed opinions on the graphical fidelity, the combination of art style, sound design, and gameplay mechanics creates a cohesive and enjoyable atmosphere.
- “At first glance, it may appear deceptively simple with its pixel-art visuals and minimalist UI, but beneath that unassuming surface lies a game that rewards planning, experimentation, and tactical foresight in equal measure.”
- “A stunning and welcome addition to my library, and the colorful pixel graphics scratch my retro itch.”
- “The theme, art style, and music are flawlessly executed, and it's a pleasure to simply look at and experience.”
- “The game's graphics also look like trash.”
- “I like pixel graphics to an extent, but this is just pathetic.”
- “Visuals, music, and sound effects are all pretty basic, honestly not that great.”
music
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to create a strong atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its charm, uniqueness, and how well it complements the visuals. While some found the music to be relaxing and fitting for the game's aesthetic, a few noted that it could be repetitive or simplistic at times. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, enhancing the gameplay experience and contributing to the game's cozy and engaging vibe.
- “The music is a masterpiece.”
- “Fantastic sound design and music which makes interacting with the units so much more fun.”
- “The theme, art style, and music are flawlessly executed and it's a pleasure to simply look at and experience.”
- “If I have one complaint, it's the music, which feels like somewhat of an afterthought.”
- “Given the fact that literally everything else about the game is so well thought-out, deep, and polished, I just wish the music was a little less repetitive and perhaps also a bit more upbeat.”
- “Also, the music felt a bit too simple and generic and a bit too sinister to me.”
replayability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
41%
7%
The game boasts impressive replayability, driven by its roguelike elements, diverse factions, and numerous strategic combinations, making it appealing for tower defense enthusiasts. While some players note a lack of content for the price, many highlight the game's ability to offer endless variations and challenges, ensuring a satisfying experience for those who enjoy experimenting with different builds and strategies. Overall, it is regarded as a highly replayable title, particularly for fans of the genre.
- “If you like tower defense, this is an absolute cracker, and the roguelike nature makes it incredibly replayable.”
- “The variety of stages and starting tribes creates strong replayability and makes many different builds feel viable.”
- “It's endlessly replayable since there's so many different builds, synergies, strategies, and maps.”
- “For me it wasn't worth full price ($10) as there just isn't much replayability.”
- “There is also a final, end game map where things are a bit more randomized to keep things spicy and offer replayability, but I didn't quite feel the urge to play more than I did.”
- “The randomness and roguelite elements can definitely drive you crazy when luck isn’t on your side, but at the same time, they add a lot of tension and replayability.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect in "Gnomes" is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the intricate blend of tower defense, farming, and roguelike elements that encourage strategic decision-making, many find the gameplay tedious and overly reliant on micro-management, especially in later waves. The constant need to manage resources and units can lead to a sense of monotony, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. However, the integration of farming mechanics with combat strategies offers a unique experience that some players find satisfying despite the grind.
- “I hadn't beaten it yet, and the wave of enemies drastically escalates, making me feel like I'm either not farming enough gold or I don't have enough obstacles to line my enemies up just right.”
- “The gameplay is also fairly tedious, requiring you to constantly micro-manage your units and items.”
- “One issue I often find myself having with modern tower defense games is that the early game becomes tedious very quickly.”
- “There's endless mode but I find it somewhat tedious.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its subtlety and charm, featuring amusing character names and whimsical visuals that enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the comedic elements, such as funny gnomes and absurd scenarios, which add a lighthearted touch to the challenging tower defense mechanics. Overall, the humor effectively complements the gameplay, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “Extremely fun tower defense, the pixel art gives me a nostalgic feeling that I love, and it also gets points for letting me control a host of little guys with funny names.”
- “The mechanics are fun, the humor is subtly amusing, and it's been worth every penny.”
- “This game will challenge your brain and punish bad planning (in the most hilarious ways).”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on modest hardware, with a small file size and efficient performance. However, there are notable issues with controller support and Steam Deck optimization, which some players found lacking despite the game's tactical elements being well-implemented. Performance issues have been addressed following community feedback, but controls still require further refinement for optimal use on the Steam Deck.
- “Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly even on modest hardware.”
- “Small file size, zippy performance.”
- “Extremely optimized”
- “However, it’s worth noting that the controller support and Steam Deck optimization feel somewhat underdeveloped at this stage.”
- “My main issue that I had with the game was performance issues, and after the community asked, they fixed them!”
- “Controls are still not optimized for the Steam Deck, but I've been playing it with no problem using the right trackpad.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The reviews indicate that the story aspect of the games is largely lacking, with one reviewer noting "non-existent" storytelling and another mentioning the absence of persistent RPG elements or narrative depth. Despite this, some players still find enjoyment in the gameplay itself, suggesting that the lack of story does not detract significantly from their overall experience.
- “Currently I have nearly conquered the list of standard non-endless biomes in my quest to defeat the goblin king everywhere he stands, and I have to say 'Gnomes' is truly an indie masterpiece!”
- “Story: non-existent”
- “There also is no story or writing.”
- “No persistent RPG elements, no story, but it's a great buy all the same.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, allowing for a straightforward gaming experience, others feel overwhelmed by the complexity and abundance of content in the latest installment.
- “✅ No microtransactions—just pure gnome mayhem.”
- “No microtransactions.”
- “When I played the newest Bloons game on Steam a few years ago, a lot of the simplicity was gone and I was overwhelmed with microtransactions and maps; it was all a little too much.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game features a charming retro dark aesthetic complemented by moody music, creating a cozy yet edgy atmosphere. Players appreciate the unique blend of whimsical elements, such as gnomes and mecha goblins, which enhances the overall experience without feeling lazy. The combination of graphics, sound effects, and music contributes significantly to its engaging ambiance.
- “The graphics, sound effects, and music add a very nice and cozy atmosphere to the game.”
- “The retro dark aesthetic is very charming without being lazy, and the music provides a moody atmosphere despite the ridiculous nature of gnomes wielding knives and killing mecha goblins while 'fertilizing' their locations with toilet paper to grow hemp.”
- “It's basically Kingdom Rush with an edgier atmosphere and gnomes.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game is praised for its stability, with users reporting a bug-free experience and no glitches encountered. The solid performance contributes to an enjoyable and relaxing gameplay experience. Overall, it is considered a reliable purchase.
- “The cute art style and bug-free experience make for hours of enjoyable defense gameplay. A solid purchase!”
- “I appreciate the game's stability; it runs smoothly without any glitches.”
- “The game is incredibly stable, allowing for a seamless and immersive experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a heartwarming experience, enjoying the wholesome activities like tending to a gnome garden, which adds a lighthearted and humorous touch, even when dealing with unexpected elements like goblin entrails as fertilizer.
- “This game evokes such a deep sense of nostalgia and warmth, making every moment spent in the world feel special.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters and their stories truly resonated with me, leaving a lasting impact long after I finished playing.”
- “I found myself genuinely caring for the characters and their journeys, which made the experience incredibly immersive and heartfelt.”