Wild Castle TD: Grow Empire
- September 12, 2020
- Funovus
- 18h median play time
Grow a castle, raise an army, unite heroes, and survive waves of angry monsters!
Reviews
- Fun and engaging gameplay with a variety of heroes and upgrades.
- No forced ads; optional ads provide rewards, making it enjoyable.
- Works offline, allowing for casual play without constant internet access.
- Significant paywalls for event heroes and upgrades, making progression difficult without spending money.
- No offline gold generation, requiring players to keep the app open to earn resources.
- Repetitive gameplay that can become boring after a while, especially after reaching higher levels.
- monetization316 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the optional nature of ads that provide rewards without being intrusive. However, some users criticize the game for being heavily reliant on microtransactions and for having a pay-to-win structure, particularly in later stages where significant progress often requires watching numerous ads or making purchases. Overall, while the game offers a relatively ad-free experience, concerns about aggressive monetization tactics and the balance of gameplay versus spending persist.
“Good progression, no ads, lovely visuals and overall really great game.”
“Best part is no ads unless you choose to see them...and you get rewarded some nice coin if you choose to watch them.”
“No ads which is rare and awesome.”
“This game is a scam. I paid for ad-free but still get in-game ads for offers, and they claim this isn't an ad. That makes it fraudulent. This game is a pay-to-win game; there is no free. Don't waste your money; in fact, I want mine back.”
“The events are horribly balanced, and the whole game is nothing but a cash grab. You'll be fine if you have money to blow; otherwise, it's just a waste of time. I wouldn't recommend it.”
“You eventually reach a wall where you either watch 12 ads or don't progress. This game is a lot of fun, challenging, and guess what? No random pop-up ads.”
- graphics113 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive a mixed but generally positive reception, with many users praising the visuals as "nice," "great," and "cute," while also noting that improvements could be made in areas like character animations and detail. Some players appreciate the smooth gameplay that accompanies the graphics, although a few mention issues with lag and optimization on certain devices. While the graphics are often highlighted as a strong point, there are calls for further enhancements to elevate the overall experience.
“Great graphics, smooth gameplay, simple yet super fun game.”
“The graphics are awesome, and it doesn't shove a million ads or in-app purchases down my throat.”
“Captivating gameplay paired with a colorful and polished art style.”
“No story, not very good gameplay, no fancy graphics, horrible UI (for phones at least), no novelty, nothing.”
“It's addictive, don't get me wrong, but I'm giving it a 1 star due to its confusing menus and system; the graphics are also bad and the sound effects are all the same.”
“Very lazy, graphics are way uglier, no reason to give this rip-off a try without new gameplay elements.”
- gameplay86 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with many players noting a repetitive and simplistic experience, often likening it to a basic loop with minimal depth. However, some appreciate the smooth mechanics, enjoyable graphics, and the balance of ads that enhance rather than detract from gameplay. While there are concerns about predatory monetization and a lack of innovation, several users find the game fun and addictive, particularly for casual play.
“After playing so many games with more ads than gameplay, this is refreshing.”
“The gameplay/combat mechanics are well made, you have control over everything you do.”
“Captivating gameplay paired with a colorful and polished art style.”
“Essentially the same 90-second experience looped into eternity; they actually provide an 'auto-play' feature to help you avoid the tedious gameplay.”
“It's not the most in-depth game; gameplay is basic, simple, and repetitive.”
“Drawbacks for me are repetitive gameplay and the lack of offline gold gains, meaning you have to keep the app active to generate it.”
- grinding55 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant emphasis on grinding in the game, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially at higher levels where progress requires extensive time investment or monetary spending. While some enjoy the grind as a means of progression and find it fun initially, others express frustration over the lack of offline rewards and the necessity to either grind excessively or pay to advance. Overall, the grinding aspect is a double-edged sword, providing both a sense of achievement and a potential barrier to enjoyment.
“Essentially the same 90-second experience looped into eternity; they actually provide an 'auto-play' feature to help you avoid the tedious gameplay.”
“The only flaw is that the game, much like a lot of phone games recently, demands a lot of grinding.”
“Good game, but really grinding.”
- music18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of variety, leading to a monotonous experience over time. While some appreciate the overall quality and fitting atmosphere of the music, others express a strong desire for more diverse sound effects and background tracks to enhance enjoyment. Overall, improvements in the music and sound design are seen as essential for a more engaging gameplay experience.
“The graphics are cool, the music is awesome and there are next to no ads at all in this game.”
“Music goes well with the game.”
“Music is perfect and visual effects are awesome.”
“So far, it is kinda lacking, and I really want improvements on music and sound effects design. The damage sound is the same for everything, as well as hero skills; it needs variety. Just like the arrow firing sound, the sound it makes when it hits is the same as when golems punch, which is kinda bad.”
“This is the most important thing you should be looking out for, since idling for hours on a game with no variation in sound effects and music design gets boring fast.”
“Only downside is the music is on a loop, and when it reaches the end and starts a new loop, it is a bit jarring when you are wearing headphones.”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that there is no clear narrative or premise to engage with. While some players appreciate the side quests and missions, they express a desire for a more developed storyline and additional features to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the lack of a compelling story detracts from the game's potential, leaving it feeling repetitive and unfulfilling.
“I'm giving it a 5-star rating not just for the 5,000 in-game coins, but because it's got a fun concept, no energy limit from what I've seen, and you can go back on missions to replay them.”
“Events are also great, or quests wherein you will win purple gems or gold.”
“I really like the game, but please... I need an update here; the story is too short, the army is too weak, and please add heroes 'God's heroes'.”
“There isn't any story, or even a premise.”
“No story, not very good gameplay, no fancy graphics, horrible UI (for phones at least), no novelty, nothing.”
“Same screenplay, no development, no story.”
- stability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 70 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; while some users report smooth performance with no glitches or crashes, others experience significant issues such as freezing during gameplay and being unable to progress in challenges. The presence of bugs seems to vary, with some players encountering frustrating freezes, particularly when interacting with ads or specific game features.
“No glitches that I've seen; it runs smoothly and works properly.”
“Nothing wrong with the game; no glitches or anything.”
“Runs great!”
“Game freezes, got stuck in challenges with no button to exit.”
“It has a good concept and is better than the other types of games like this, but it is way too buggy.”
“Good game, but I have hit a point where it says click on the town to upgrade with town contracts and it won't let me, and the game freezes.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's performance is generally smooth with good graphics, but there are significant concerns regarding optimization, particularly with the cash shop and in-game progression. Players have reported issues such as lag and crashes after extended play, indicating that further optimization is needed to enhance the overall experience. While the core gameplay is enjoyable, the lack of permanent upgrades and the high prices in the cash shop detract from the game's potential.
“No glitches that I've seen, runs smoothly and works properly.”
“The art is good and the game runs smoothly.”
“Graphics and optimization are really good.”
“But the cash shop really needs optimization: highly priced cash shop items for a temporary boost. Why couldn't we own permanent speed, permanent auto battles, and permanent 2x gold by supporting the game? Buying gold is pointless since it's determined by progression, and accumulating over time is ideal.”
“Simple and fun concept, but very poorly optimized.”
“Need app/game optimization. After an hour of playing, the game becomes laggy, and sometimes it crashes.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as amusing and entertaining, often stemming from its absurdities and the over-the-top nature of its elements, such as the art style and character designs. However, some players find the humor undermined by perceived unoriginality and blatant copying from other games, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, it offers a lighthearted and funny experience, especially during downtime.
“It's an amazing and funny game.”
“Pretty funny game, when you don't have anything to do :)”
“Funny.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is polarizing; while some users find it highly replayable due to its engaging mechanics and offline accessibility, others feel it lacks replay value, leading to uninstallation.
“It's highly replayable! It's not pay-to-play, it's offline, and so much more. Great graphics and mechanics!”
“Replay value... none... sorry, uninstalled.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying feel pointless.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's emotional aspect for its easy gameplay and wholesome content, which fosters a positive and uplifting experience.