Orcs Must Die! 3

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,385 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Orcs Must Die! 3 Game Cover
A conservative but confident return to form from the masters of a much-loved genre.
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"Orcs Must Die! 3 brings back the series' signature orc-slaying action with expanded features, including colossal War Scenarios filled with brutal invasions and mountable War Machines. The game offers more of everything fans love - from orcs and traps to weapons and upgrades - along with a new story set 20 years after Orcs Must Die! 2. Prepare for an intense, high-stakes adventure in this long-awaited sequel."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,385 reviews
gameplay140 positive mentions
stability44 negative mentions
  • gameplay398 mentions

    The gameplay of "Orcs Must Die! 3" is characterized by its blend of tower defense mechanics and third-person shooting, maintaining a familiar core experience from previous installments while introducing new traps and features. While many players appreciate the engaging and addictive nature of the gameplay, some express disappointment over a lack of significant innovation and the presence of bugs that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the game is seen as a solid continuation of the series, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking deeper gameplay complexity or variety.

    • “The variety of traps and weapons, coupled with their upgradable features, keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and challenging, and the various traps and weapons available to the player add a lot of depth and strategy to the game.”
    • “The core gameplay remains as satisfying as ever, blending tower defense mechanics with action-packed combat in a way that feels both familiar and invigorated.”
    • “The gameplay is just generic 3D tower defense and as much as I heard it doesn't differ from the second part.”
    • “The game has fast-paced and intense gameplay, with a variety of enemies and levels to play through.”
    • “The gameplay feels wonky at times and not nearly as impactful compared to its predecessors.”
  • story306 mentions

    The story in "Orcs Must Die! 3" is generally viewed as light-hearted and humorous, serving primarily as a framework to connect gameplay rather than a focal point of engagement. While some players appreciate the comedic elements and character interactions, many criticize the plot for being simplistic, rushed, and lacking depth, with a desire for more missions and character development. Overall, the narrative is seen as adequate for the genre, but not particularly memorable or compelling.

    • “The story is pretty good and you get to play as new characters with new abilities and occasionally as old powerful characters in past flashback levels with different rules.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and the story is engaging.”
    • “The story line is intriguing but the two apprentice characters are forgettable and uninteresting.”
    • “The story is garbage and the dance your character does at the end of the match makes me want to gouge my eyes out.”
    • “The plot is bog standard for fantasy, dude from the past turns evil and is here to reenact his revenge, except he's looking for a guy who has been dead for decades.”
    • “The decision to cram three storylines (the new apprentices, the two ancient war mages, and finding Max) with such limited time and levels to tell it was also a bad idea, as bad as leaving the face of the game, Maximilian, out of 99% of the story.”
  • graphics261 mentions

    The graphics in "Orcs Must Die! 3" have received widespread praise for their vibrant, cartoonish style and significant improvements over previous installments, creating an immersive and visually appealing experience. Many players appreciate the detailed character models and environments, although some express disappointment with the art style's shift towards a more realistic look, which they feel detracts from the game's charm. Overall, the graphics are considered a highlight, contributing to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere, despite some technical issues reported by users.

    • “The graphics are top-notch, immersing you in a vibrant and chaotic world where every trap, weapon, and spell comes to life with a satisfying crunch.”
    • “The graphics in Orcs Must Die 3 are excellent, with detailed character models and environments.”
    • “The game's cartoonish art style pops with vibrant colors and fluid animations.”
    • “Graphically, the game is like a Saturday morning cartoon, if that cartoon featured orc dismemberment.”
    • “The graphics improved, but I expected a little bit more in this scenario.”
    • “Somehow, the graphics are worse than OMD1, let alone OMD2.”
  • humor98 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it funny and enjoyable, especially in co-op play, while others feel it falls flat compared to previous installments. The quirky, cartoonish style and humorous dialogue often elicit laughter, particularly during gameplay moments involving traps and orc antics. However, some reviewers criticize the character personalities and writing as cheesy or cringy, suggesting that the humor may not resonate with everyone.

    • “Funny and ridiculous tower defense/third-person shooter hybrid, best played with friends.”
    • “The story, characters, and humor fall a little more flat in this installment but the core gameplay is enjoyable and there are plenty of traps to spend time learning.”
    • “It's a really enjoyable game with a great sense of humor, and I want it to succeed well enough for them to be able to beat the bugs out of it.”
    • “The banter was supposed to be funny, I guess, but it wasn't.”
    • “At times, what they say goes from funny to just not funny.”
    • “Cringe-worthy story, with poisonous and unfunny characters; what was once wine has turned to vinegar.”
  • replayability73 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by various modes, difficulty settings, and the innovative "scramble" feature that introduces random buffs and debuffs, encouraging players to adapt their strategies. With an endless mode and a wealth of traps, maps, and character options, players can explore countless combinations, ensuring a fresh experience with each playthrough. While some reviewers noted a lack of content compared to previous installments, the overall consensus highlights the game's strong replay value, particularly in multiplayer settings.

    • “With multiple enemy types, weapons, trinkets, and hero characters to choose from, the game offers high replayability, capped off with an endless mode.”
    • “The addition of scramble mode keeps this game fresh for replay value, forcing you to adapt your gameplay and traps to match the random buffs and debuffs.”
    • “What it lacks in overall content it makes up for in replayability; there are many different ways to approach each map.”
    • “There really isn't much content or replayability as of yet, and I'm not as much a fan of how the characters are done with each character only having one defining minor attribute.”
    • “After 35 hours and 100% achievements, the replayability of this game lies mostly in the endless mode, so the issues I'll have with the game are mostly there.”
    • “Overall in OMD3 there are less maps which are quickly over (23 maps total), OMDU had at least 36 maps, which had vast replay value with different entrances and challenges.”
  • optimization61 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and stability on high-end systems, while others experience significant frame drops and performance issues, particularly in demanding scenarios. Many users express frustration over the game's high hardware requirements and lack of optimization, especially when compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, while some players enjoy a seamless experience, a considerable number highlight serious optimization flaws that detract from gameplay.

    • “In my opinion, this feature should be a default setting, as it enhances the gameplay experience and encourages players to strive for better performance.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game is running flawlessly for me on a Ryzen 5 3600X, RTX 2080 Super, and 16GB memory. It feels well optimized for my system and runs at over 120+ FPS at 1440p on ultra quality.”
    • “The graphics and performance enhancements also add to the overall experience, making the orc-slaying action more visually stunning than ever.”
    • “Optimization is horrible, room design is atrocious, almost unplayable for solo.”
    • “The game isn't optimized, however.”
    • “I have never seen such poor optimization in any game I've ever played so far.”
  • music56 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the excellent soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, while others feel it lacks the uniqueness and catchy elements of previous installments. Some users appreciate the orchestral-metal vibe and the immersive sound effects, though complaints about repetitive menu music and a perceived decline in quality compared to earlier games are also noted. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered good, but opinions vary on its memorability and impact.

    • “Excellent soundtrack with a deep tower defense mini game to play while you listen.”
    • “The game's music and sound effects are also top-notch, adding to the atmosphere.”
    • “Not only are the traps killer, so is the soundtrack!”
    • “The game lacks pre-battle music except for war scenarios.”
    • “What I didn't like about the game is the menu music that loops every 6 seconds; it gets so annoying that I mute the game while I look for upgrades and customize my traps.”
    • “Part 3 is just forgettable when it comes to the music; overall better mechanics in the traps and just as fun.”
  • stability50 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in co-op mode. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay and minimal problems, others have encountered frustrating issues like frame drops, hit registration errors, and AI targeting problems. Despite ongoing patches, many longstanding bugs remain unresolved, leading to a perception of the game as unfinished and unstable.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck, FYI.”
    • “Quite well polished, co-op runs great.”
    • “Update after the quick patch, everything runs great.”
    • “Honestly, I would get OMD3 over OMD2 now, especially if you are playing co-op because of how buggy OMD2 online has become.”
    • “The problematic state of the game, coupled with its persisting bugs and glitches, compels me to share my negative feedback.”
    • “It's disheartening to witness top scores on leaderboards being achieved through exploiting these glitches, which casts a shadow over the game's competitive integrity.”
  • grinding47 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when trying to unlock upgrades and traps. While some enjoy the grind as part of the gameplay experience, others feel it detracts from the fun, especially in solo play where the difficulty can escalate without sufficient rewards. Overall, players suggest that the game could benefit from a more balanced approach to grinding, as it often feels excessive and repetitive.

    • “The weapon and trap mastery system would have been a cool idea, but skulls still need to be spent after meeting the requirements for them; luckily, they aren't grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The weapons/gameplay isn't interesting enough to keep me grinding/learning.”
    • “I want to progress and find new ways to make killboxes and try new strategies, not spend all my time finding skulls and refunding skulls a million times to re-purchase every tedious upgrade which so badly kills the fun.”
    • “Just removing all the fun out of tower defense games by making it super tedious instead of letting us melt enemies with lasers and stuff.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and cash grabs, which enhances the overall enjoyment and replay value. However, some users express concerns about confusing menus and a perceived shift towards monetization strategies, such as advertisements for other products, which detracts from the gaming experience. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative to others that heavily rely on monetization tactics.

    • “You'd be supporting a polished and finished game which doesn't include microtransactions or price gouging, has a ton of replay value, and is just a ton of fun.”
    • “If you like Dungeon Defenders but got fed up with how complicated they made it with all of the extra nonsense and the microtransactions, this game is for you.”
    • “A good casual one without all the garbage microtransactions and monetization - that's honestly super fun to play with a mate.”
    • “Don't remind me of a giant corporation just making a cash grab, iterative 'sequel.'”
    • “This is a cash grab after... 8 years?”
    • “Developers updated the game to add in advertisements for other products, not actual content or bug fixes for release issues that have existed since day one.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with some players feeling that the realistic art style clashes with its cartoony elements, creating a disjointed experience. However, the high-quality music and sound effects enhance the overall ambiance, and certain levels, particularly the rainy ones, are praised for their atmospheric depth. While the humor adds some charm, it can also feel out of place within the game's fantasy setting.

    • “The game's music and sound effects are also top-notch, adding to the atmosphere.”
    • “I always liked the little touches of atmosphere this game had.”
    • “The rainy levels are brilliantly atmospheric, in my opinion.”
    • “The art style doesn't feel right; it shouldn't have such a 'realistic' atmosphere when the overall style is so cartoony and goofy. It simply looks wrong and weird.”
    • “The story, atmosphere, and characters: 5/10. The game doesn't take itself seriously, which leads to some funny moments, but most of the time it's just a little bit too cringy and unfitting for the older fantasy setting it plays in.”
    • “The graphic design of the orcs seems different from the previous game, but it does not take away from the atmosphere.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express disappointment in the emotional impact of the game's narrative, particularly criticizing the departure from traditional endings and the perceived decline in character depth. The sense of accomplishment from gameplay in earlier titles is contrasted with feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration in the latest installment, leading to a diminished emotional connection.

    • “It's actually pretty sad how the second game didn't end with the 'prince getting the princess' as an official ending, as the third game broke that traditionally wholesome implication.”
    • “That made me feel really disappointed, since it felt like my progress was removed.”
    • “In OMD2, reaching wave 100 was fun, and seeing you manage to trap up the whole map and see it all in its glory made me feel so accomplished.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its strong design and humor, with improvements in character variation and animations compared to previous entries. However, some players feel that the simplification of dialogue during gameplay detracts from the overall depth and creativity of the characters, leaving a sense of missed potential.

    • “Orcs Must Die 2 improved on everything, including character variation, victory dance variations, subtle animations, and clever use of character design and sound.”
    • “The character designs are good, and I liked both new war mages in cutscenes; however, all of the dialogue during gameplay has been simplified, even for the returning characters.”
    • “Quite a fun game; if you've played prior entries, you pretty much know what to expect here, but if not, it's a tower defense/third-person shooter with some fun character design and humor.”
    • “It's just sad to see so much creativity, game design, and character design be put to waste.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Orcs Must Die! 3

Play time

11hMedian play time
44hAverage play time
8-29hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 31 analyzed playthroughs

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