Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD Game 9+

I’ve been a fan of ironhide studios since the very first kingdom rush was released. I quickly preordered this version and was also constantly checking up on the development processes and any major news updates on the release of this game. So much hype built up only to find a very mediocre game with lackluster gameplay. Echoing others’ main concerns, the game has become a major cash grab. Not only do you have to buy the game (which is pretty steep in pricing) but also the heroes and now, for the first time, towers!! The entire mobile experience costs over $40 and the game actually has even less options than its predecessor - no new tower unlock ability after level 4 and now the stars don’t even matter and mean nothing - still, I’ve completed the game with perfect completion on veteran mode but this was a very sad release with not a whole lot - seems like a step in the wrong direction. I hope this company does not become corrupt like many others and instead hopefully puts its customer base and strong gameplay and storytelling at the forefront of its agenda.

I've been a fan of Ironhide since kingdom rush. They have earned a good reputation due to they're quality level designs and consistently stylised art (as well as humour and plenty of Easter eggs). I bough this one (despite it being the most expensive one yet) as soon as I noticed it was on the App Store due to the goodwill built by previous titles. I knew what I was in for, and they delivered on all the necessities; cheesy lines, fun gameplay, new towers etc. I enjoyed this title more than Frontiers and Origins, as it felt like a direct sequel to the first Kingdom Rush, and it brought a load of nostalgia (with returning characters, musical cues, world map and assets).

Despite this, Ironhide shouldn't have locked towers behind paywalls. It felt greedy, and now two aspects of our beloved game (heroes and towers) have had sections removed and become microtransactions (or macrotransactions if you are silly enough to buy them all). Also, Ironhide, please add bonus levels as they are some of my favourite parts of the other instalments. The game is to short at the moment.

In the end, I would still recommend this to Kingdom Rush fans, it lost a star for the steep price of entry and then the bevy of expensive microtransactions in the game.

Ironhide really knows what people love about their games. Great mix of strategic levels and many ways to beat them. Many achievements and little interactable extras in levels, cheesy lines and just fun overall. Amazing art. Only issues are a slight reduction in crazy enemy abilities/surprising turn arounds in levels(though I’m sure the levels they bring in the future will change that), no enemy stat/ability screen and I kind of miss being able to branch out the fourth level of towers and being able to change my strategy quickly. The enemies do get slightly boring and predictable even when changing areas. Oh look a standard flying/invincible for some time one, a beefy one, one that buffs others, a cannon fodder one etc. but that doesn’t happen too often I suppose, still fun. It’s great that the free heroes are very good and viable on their own even compared to the premium, same with the towers. Do wish you could eventually earn enough gems to buy them, but you never ‘need’ them. Can’t wait to see what ironhide does next! Maybe you’re the invading force against towers in the next game?