Kingdom Rush Origins
- October 17, 2018
- Ironhide Game Studio
- 45h median play time
Get on SteamKingdom Rush Origins is the prequel to the popular tower defense game, featuring elven armies and new towers, heroes, and spells. The game offers a mystical world to explore while defending against a variety of enemies, with new content and features added to the classic Kingdom Rush gameplay. Experience the lightning-fast, captivating action that made the series a favorite.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
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Windows
Android
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Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The enemies are much more unique and the level design is the best in the series.
- Extra powers brought on by heroes is a revolutionary feature that enhances gameplay.
- The game maintains the charming art style and humor that fans love, making it a worthwhile addition to the Kingdom Rush franchise.
- Tower balancing is clearly off, especially with the Mage Tower being underpowered.
- Some tower upgrade paths are either weak or detrimental, leading to frustrating gameplay.
- The game feels shorter than previous installments, leaving players wanting more content.
- gameplay126 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this tower defense game is generally well-received, praised for its balance between powerful towers and challenging enemies, as well as its vibrant graphics and engaging mechanics. While some players note difficulty spikes and a lack of strategic depth in certain areas, many appreciate the variety of heroes, towers, and unique level mechanics that keep the experience fresh and enjoyable. Overall, the game offers a solid mix of fun, challenge, and replayability, making it a worthwhile addition to the genre.
“Gameplay is balanced between powerful towers and challenging enemies!”
“The game has some solid points—the graphics are vibrant and appealing, and the gameplay hits that sweet spot for tower defense fans.”
“The enemies, towers, and heroes in this game have amazing design and abilities, followed by amazing tower defense gameplay with cute little mini-games inside some levels that can help you greatly, which led me to enjoy getting every possible achievement and finish all levels on the highest difficulty.”
“Even though there is no hint of any free-to-play elements, the gameplay itself has these weird difficulty spikes that make it almost unplayable.”
“Absolute garbage as a strategy game. The weakest mobs destroy your barracks, the game decides to erase towers as a mechanic. No strategy needed, just play over and over until you get lucky. Total cash grab by bad developers. Is it a good game? Sure. Is it a strategy game? No, because the only strategy you'll use is maxing out spells so you can spam them every time they are up. Utter trash, don't let idiots lie to you; it's not a strategy game when you only use one strategy.”
“Origins is the third installment but still lacks features - so no improvement from the gameplay side; rather the same content in reworked graphics and the same sounds all over again.”
- graphics120 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their vibrant, charming art style and detailed animations, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the improvements over previous installments, noting the unique aesthetic and polished visuals that maintain the series' signature look while adding new elements. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
“The graphics are vibrant and appealing, and the gameplay hits that sweet spot for tower defense fans.”
“Compared to I and II, Origins has a much finer painting style and animation performance with very fine graphic details.”
“The prequel of the Kingdom Rush saga - beautiful as its predecessors, maintaining the same unique graphic design but with many improvements.”
“The only potential issue with this game is that there isn't much innovation or improvement over the first game other than a better heroes system and slightly better graphics, though I say potential because this is hardly a complaint considering how good this game and the whole series is - this game is really a continuation of the previous game, which you should play if you enjoy this one as it just provides more of the same, but this is a case where that's very much a good thing!”
“Origins is the third installment but still lacks features - so no improvement from the gameplay side, rather the same content in reworked graphics and the same sounds all over again.”
“Some fairly superficial changes to the tower system, some very slightly shinier graphics, and of course a whole heap of new levels.”
- story78 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Kingdom Rush Origins" serves as a prequel to the series, enriching the lore with engaging characters and a classic fantasy narrative, though it is noted to be less humorous than its predecessor, "Frontiers." While some players appreciate the immersive world and well-developed dialogue, others criticize the story's simplicity and brevity, feeling it lacks depth compared to previous installments. Overall, the narrative is seen as a solid addition to the franchise, with charming graphics and enjoyable side quests, despite some players desiring more complexity and innovation.
“Origins expands and enriches the worldview of the Kingdom Rush series, making the whole story more grand and exciting.”
“The story, while not very innovative, is interesting in that it feels like a classic fantasy epic adapted to be a video game, and yet it has its own feel, style, characters, and world.”
“Great next chapter in a story we all adore.”
“My biggest complaint - the non-story.”
“It's insulting to pass off the, 'story' as content.”
“Not much of a story if that is what you are looking for in your tower defense game, but most of us are not.”
- humor34 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -6 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, featuring clever dialogue, funny character designs, and numerous easter eggs that reference popular culture and fairy tales. Players enjoy the lighthearted tone and whimsical art style, with many noting that the humor enhances the overall gameplay experience. While some feel it may not be as consistently funny as previous installments, the creative tower designs and amusing enemy interactions still provide plenty of laughs throughout the game.
“They are clever, funny, and have little easter eggs throughout.”
“It is a beautiful game full of funny references and easter eggs.”
“For a tower defense game, it is already on top, the price is okay for what the campaign delivers, but I want to explain what I really like about this game here: it's the passion, the humor, the details, and the love you see in the little things brought into this game by the developers.”
“This is a very punny game, but not in a funny way.”
“The humor falls flat and feels forced throughout.”
“I expected clever jokes, but instead got tired clichés.”
- music34 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its quality, catchiness, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. While some find certain tracks forgettable or less intense at times, the soundtrack is often described as phenomenal and a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic appeal. Overall, the combination of music and sound effects is considered a strong point, with many players appreciating the improvements over previous titles in the series.
“Aesthetically, thematically, and musically: my favorite in the series.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal, and the phoenix is really OP, making getting a perfect game really achievable.”
“Fun tower defense game that is well balanced, has beautiful music and art style.”
“Admittedly, the balance is a little off in some areas; I don't think the music is as intense as it should be at times, and some of the levels and enemies are just annoying.”
“The music is annoying because it takes an hour to listen to it.”
“But I am still very pained that after 4 years, Ironhide still refuses to make the final boss music work on all bosses.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly regarding the time required to level up heroes and complete achievements. Many reviews highlight that some achievements are excessively grindy or require repetitive farming, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. While the game offers fun gameplay and engaging content, the grinding elements can feel unnecessarily burdensome, especially for completionists.
“While this is great from a gameplay perspective, I think that many heroes are unlocked too late to be experimented with, and the grinding required to level them up to max level is both annoying and discourages their use.”
“Some of those achievements are already grindy as hell, but some of them straight up take 3-4 times longer than they should because the kills don't count for some reason.”
“The only feature I'm not too happy about is that while most of the achievements are fun, there are some that require pointless grinding.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety of heroes and unique mechanics that enhance replay value, others feel that once the main campaign is completed, there is limited incentive to replay. The absence of online multiplayer and fewer post-campaign levels also contribute to a perception of reduced long-term replayability. However, challenges like "impossible" difficulty and different gameplay modes do offer additional replay opportunities for dedicated players.
“The variety of heroes adds some depth, and there’s definitely good replay value.”
“This adds an extra layer of complexity and gives the game great replayability.”
“It offers hours upon hours of entertaining gameplay with plenty of replay value due to its unique mechanics and beautiful art style.”
“There isn't that much replayability when you're done with your first playthrough.”
“The lack of online multiplayer may limit the game's long-term replayability for some players.”
“Pretty good game for a single playthrough, but like all the other games by this developer, has little to no replay value.”
- monetization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively for the PC version, which lacks microtransactions and allows players to unlock all heroes through gameplay. However, players express frustration with the campaign's difficulty and design, which they feel is intended to push microtransactions in mobile versions. Overall, the PC version is praised for providing a complete experience without additional costs, contrasting sharply with the monetization strategies seen in mobile editions.
“I understand the desire to distance anything from in-game purchases, but Frontiers did show that it can add to the game as long as it's implemented only within the gameplay.”
“You can unlock all the heroes in this edition without in-app purchases like the case is on Android and iOS.”
“The Steam version of Kingdom Rush is always the best version to play, as you get all the content with one purchase, unlike the mobile/tablet versions with in-game purchases and only 3 heroes unlocked.”
“This means you are effectively stuck playing at the very least 1/3 of a game that, by design, was made to be immensely difficult, unbalanced, and anti-player to push microtransactions.”
“After two amazing tower defense games in this franchise, we get a quite disappointing third game obviously affected by a terrible monetization system on the mobile version, translated directly into the Steam version.”
“Absolute garbage as a strategy game; the weakest mobs destroy your barracks, the game decides to erase towers as a mechanic. No strategy needed, just play over and over until you get lucky... total cash grab by bad developers.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on low-spec PCs and features impressive graphics and animation, some users feel it requires further improvements, particularly for higher-end systems. Despite minor technical issues, the game is generally well-received for its performance.
“Runs smoothly on a lot of computers due to the low specs required.”
“Excellent game, must have for any tower defense fan, runs smoothly and looks awesome as always.”
“It needs better optimization for PC, and adding endless content would help.”
“Compared to I and II, Origins has a much finer painting style and animation performance with very fine graphic details.”
“Technical performance and bugs: 9.5/10.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its chilling and relaxing qualities, complemented by perfect pixel graphics and great art and music. Many appreciate the lush green environment, contributing to an overall immersive and enjoyable experience.
“I find it very chilling and atmospheric; I love it!”
“Perfect and atmospheric pixel graphics, good balancing, plenty of heroes and towers.”
“Great art, music, and atmosphere!”
- stability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, players report mixed experiences with stability; while some encounter occasional stutters and freezes, others note a lack of significant glitches or bugs. Despite these issues, many find the game visually appealing, though improvements in stability would enhance the overall experience.
“The game runs great now, with no glitches or bugs.”
“I'm not sure what fixed it, but now the game runs smoothly.”
“The only downside for me is that the game temporarily stutters and freezes about once per level; though that's likely some kind of driver issue, the game could be a little more stable.”
“It freezes and now it won't move to level 50 for some reason.”
“Although the game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its impressive designs and well-crafted heroes, contributing to a visually engaging and memorable experience.
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each hero.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“Each character has a unique backstory that adds layers to their personality, enhancing the overall narrative experience.”
