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Kingdom Rush Game Cover

About

Kingdom Rush is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Ironhide Games and was released on July 28, 2011. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Kingdom Rush is a popular castle defense game with four types of towers and numerous enemy models. Soldier towers summon troops to halt enemies, and upgrades enhance tower capabilities. Consider enemy weaknesses when placing towers to successfully defend your realm against various foes."

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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,584 reviews
graphics742 positive mentions
monetization290 negative mentions

  • The game features charming, cartoonish graphics and vibrant colors that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
  • Gameplay is engaging and addictive, combining simple controls with strategic depth that appeals to both casual and hardcore players.
  • The humor and character design are widely praised, contributing to a lighthearted and immersive atmosphere that keeps players returning.
  • Some players report graphical glitches and scaling issues, particularly on higher resolution displays, which detract from enjoyment.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks the ability to speed up or slow down, leading to frustrations for some users.
  • Stability issues, including frequent freezing and crashing, particularly when multitasking, negatively impact the overall experience.
  • graphics
    1,133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received a mixed response from users, with many praising its charming, cartoonish art style and vibrant colors that enhance the overall gameplay experience. However, some players have reported issues with graphical glitches and scaling problems, particularly on higher resolution displays, which detracted from their enjoyment. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered appealing and well-executed, there are notable concerns regarding performance and clarity on certain setups.

    • “The hand-drawn visuals are absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “Visually, Kingdom Rush embraces a vibrant, cartoonish fantasy aesthetic that perfectly complements its lighthearted tone.”
    • “Every level, enemy, tower, troop, and attack are charmingly textured and animated with classic cartoon graphics and the iconic Ironhide flair.”
    • “Unplayable - graphics seem stretched out beyond the visible viewing area.”
    • “The graphics are just right for the game.”
    • “Terrible graphics that look 40 years old and the game is tedious and boring.”
  • gameplay
    965 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Kingdom Rush is widely praised for its engaging and addictive mechanics, combining simple controls with strategic depth that appeals to both casual and hardcore players. While some users note frustrations with specific mechanics, such as the inability to speed up gameplay and certain tower weaknesses, the overall experience is characterized by charming graphics, a variety of heroes and towers, and a well-balanced challenge that keeps players invested for hours. The game successfully introduces new elements gradually, ensuring that players remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

    • “The gameplay is simple on the surface, deep underneath, and endlessly satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay loop is super simple but very satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is well-rounded with a diverse array of heroes and towers, each offering unique abilities and strategic possibilities.”
    • “No way to speed up or slow down gameplay.”
    • “Very annoying gameplay, from the repetitive lines, to being unable to fast forward stages.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive as hell and boring.”
  • monetization
    669 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, particularly for its removal of microtransactions and ads in the PC version compared to its mobile counterparts. Players appreciate the one-time purchase that grants access to all content without additional costs, allowing for a complete gaming experience without the pressure of in-app purchases or intrusive advertisements. Overall, the game is praised for its fair pricing and commitment to providing an enjoyable experience without the typical monetization pitfalls found in many mobile games.

    • “The best version with no microtransactions.”
    • “It eliminates the microtransactions present in the iOS version, making all heroes and upgrades available without additional purchases.”
    • “A spectacular tower defense game with groundbreaking mechanics, unique style, and no hidden microtransactions (at least, in the Steam version).”
    • “The developers used this as a one-time cash grab and now they have washed their hands of Steam altogether.”
    • “The game puts paywalls and ads in front of important unlocks even at the very beginning of the game.”
    • “This game is literally fraud, as it will not pay out the promised gems for ads watched.”
  • story
    515 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is generally considered simple and somewhat forgettable, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate the lighthearted fantasy elements and humor, many feel that the narrative lacks depth and complexity, with a few noting that it can be engaging enough to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its fun mechanics and strategic gameplay, with the story being a secondary aspect that doesn't detract from the enjoyment.

    • “The story of this game is amazing and I love the characters.”
    • “Kingdom Rush is one of my favorite games, the greatest tower defense option in art, story, playability, and overall fun, even when repeating the campaign.”
    • “The story is comfy and really simple, yet it's nice to read, giving a ton to the experience.”
    • “The story is weak.”
    • “The story is very forgettable, but this game isn't really about the story anyways.”
    • “The main storyline is somewhat short, but the game has good replayability.”
  • music
    363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its catchy and atmospheric qualities that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some users find the soundtrack repetitive and express frustration over the game's inability to allow background music from other apps while playing. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, the lack of variety and the audio interference with personal music playback are notable drawbacks.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and challenging, visually it's very appealing and the soundtrack is majestic.”
    • “The music is soothing and perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, making it a relaxing experience even during intense battles.”
    • “This game has the best music among all the Kingdom Rush games.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is pretty nice, which is heavily influenced by the unique art style; music, on the other hand, is just ok, as, though there are a few good compositions, most are forgettable.”
    • “My only gripe is perhaps the low variety of music, which became grating very quickly.”
    • “The app takes audio priority on your phone even if you turn off music and sounds, which means you can't listen to music or audio from any source and play the game at the same time.”
  • humor
    237 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring memorable voice lines, witty references, and amusing character interactions that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the balance of humor with challenging mechanics, noting that the game's cartoonish art style and numerous Easter eggs contribute to its lighthearted and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the humor is described as a key element that keeps players returning, making the game both entertaining and addictive.

    • “The unique hero system, hilarious voice lines, and well-balanced towers keep every level fun and engaging.”
    • “The art style is charming, the sound effects and music are both really well done, the subtle nerd references are funny, and it has a great replay value, since it's been pulling me back again and again over the years.”
    • “The graphics are cartoony and funny, the gameplay is cool, and the game is challenging (which makes it fun to play).”
  • replayability
    167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to various difficulty levels, challenge modes, and the pursuit of perfect scores. However, some reviewers noted that the core gameplay can feel simplistic or repetitive, leading to diminished replayability after the initial campaign. Despite these criticisms, numerous players found the game engaging enough to return to multiple times, especially for completionist goals and additional challenges.

    • “Additionally, optional challenges such as completing levels without losing lives or finishing under time limits provide rewarding goals for completionists and veterans, significantly boosting replay value.”
    • “The game is deeper than you think and there is really great replayability here.”
    • “Completionists can expect to get dozens of hours out of the game, and the replay value here is sky high.”
    • “It's fun, don't get me wrong, and also nostalgic, but it lacks replayability and is really simple at its core.”
    • “The only downside is the fact that Kingdom Rush has zero replayability.”
    • “Unfortunately, not much replay value after completing it though.”
  • grinding
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players. While some find it tedious and frustrating, often requiring repetitive trial and error to progress, others appreciate the challenge it presents, albeit with a sense of monotony after extended play. Overall, many players feel that the grinding detracts from the initial enjoyment, leading to a sense of chore-like gameplay rather than a rewarding experience.

    • “Games are short but fun, which makes it not grindy and repetitive.”
    • “There is no grinding involved since the heroes start over at level 1 every campaign mission.”
    • “In fact, no grinding is needed to complete the game.”
    • “What started out as fun, ended in tedious frustration.”
    • “The game itself, though, feels tedious to play.”
    • “Grinding levels over and over again to find the one and only solution is not enjoyable.”
  • stability
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting frequent freezing and crashing issues, particularly when multitasking or pausing the game. While some users enjoy the gameplay and find it fun, they express frustration over the bugs and glitches that disrupt their experience. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable but plagued by stability problems that detract from its potential.

    • “With that said, they're minor complaints in the grand scheme of things, the game is fun, relatively simple, and bug free.”
    • “Runs great on my aging Dell L502X laptop at full resolution.”
    • “No bugs, no glitches, just perfect!”
    • “Unfortunately, it's very buggy on my MacBook, but otherwise I love this game.”
    • “Crashes most of the time you try to launch, and even when it doesn't, it has terrible graphical glitches and will often crash to desktop.”
    • “Every time I have to switch between apps and the game, the game freezes and I can't continue where I left off and have to restart the game.”
  • atmosphere
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of soothing music, charming graphics, and engaging sound design, creating a lighthearted and immersive experience. Players appreciate the unique art style and the way the environment evolves, contributing to a fun and addictive gameplay experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing enjoyment and making it a memorable title in the tower defense genre.

    • “The music is soothing and perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, making it a relaxing experience even during intense battles.”
    • “Although I have listed numerous features, I personally recommend playing Kingdom Rush Tower Defense primarily for its captivating atmosphere, which can engross you for hours on end and provide an immense amount of entertainment.”
    • “The graphics and the overall atmosphere of the game made it addictive as heck!”
    • “Overall the atmosphere of the game probably made up for the initial frustration that I had.”
    • “Its a tower defense game, with: a cute art style, semi-decent music, fantastic gameplay, branching tower upgrades that are actually worth the gold, and an overall sort of 'not serious' atmosphere about it.”
    • “It has beautiful cartoon environment changing as the game proceeds, great towers and enemies art and the soundtrack fits the atmosphere.”
  • optimization
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users noting its excellent performance on both mobile devices and older computers, resulting in smooth gameplay without stuttering. However, some players have reported issues with performance on newer operating systems and specific devices, indicating that while the game is well-optimized for many platforms, there are exceptions that affect user experience. The upgrade paths and customization options further enhance the strategic depth, although some players desire more replayability features.

    • “I particularly appreciate the well-thought-out upgrade paths that allow for customization and optimization of your defense strategy.”
    • “The game is well optimized and does not demand much performance as it was designed with mobile in mind.”
    • “Overall it's a good looking game with a fair sense of progression; as you play stages you are awarded stars which allow you to unlock new perks that upgrade the performance of just about every aspect of your defenses.”
    • “Extremely average tower defense game, complete with childish graphics and overly optimized difficulty that requires grind.”
    • “The game is not optimized, or at least not for newer OS.”
    • “Works perfectly on iPhone but now I got it again on my Huawei P30 Pro and even with the performance mode on, my whole phone is slowed down when the app is running in the background.”
  • emotional
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with players, evoking nostalgia and heartfelt memories, particularly through its music and artwork. While some users express a lack of emotional investment in the gameplay itself, others highlight moments of frustration and challenge that contribute to a deeper connection with the experience. Overall, the game successfully balances humor and emotional depth, making it memorable for many.

    • “15 years later and this masterpiece that made so many childhoods still holds up; I got a bit emotional after hearing the main menu theme after all these years.”
    • “Artwork with small heartfelt details and funny references.”
    • “That is what finally broke his emotional wall.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a strong appreciation for the character design and visual style, noting that the characters are charming and enhanced by engaging voice lines and soundbites. Overall, the character development is praised for its creativity and the delightful atmosphere it contributes to the game.

    • “It's got great character design, useful towers, and pop culture references galore.”
    • “Very charming atmosphere with its music, character designs, and voice lines.”
    • “The character design is cool, and the soundbites for when they're deployed are just perfection.”
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20h Median play time
38h Average play time
8-43h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 41 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Kingdom Rush is a casual strategy game.

Kingdom Rush is available on Web Browser, Phone and Tablet.

On average players spend around 38 hours playing Kingdom Rush.

Kingdom Rush was released on July 28, 2011.

Kingdom Rush was developed by Ironhide Games.

Kingdom Rush has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its monetization.

Kingdom Rush is a single player game.

Similar games include Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD, Kingdom Rush Origins TD, Last Hope TD - Tower Defense, Defense Zone 3 HD, Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD Game and others.