Arknights

 iOS
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 71
  3. Negative: 7 out of 71
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  1. babinro
    Feb 18, 2020
    7
    On the surface Arknights presents itself as a somewhat unique Tower Defense experience. In this way, the game excels. In reality, Arknights is a mobile idle game where 95% of your time is spent waiting 3 minutes for auto-play to finish so you can get to your next auto-play.
    This might sound like I hate the game but that's far from the truth. As an idle game, Arknights is flawed but    On the surface Arknights presents itself as a somewhat unique Tower Defense experience. In this way, the game excels. In reality, Arknights is a mobile idle game where 95% of your time is spent waiting 3 minutes for auto-play to finish so you can get to your next auto-play.
    This might sound like I hate the game but that's far from the truth. As an idle game, Arknights is flawed but rewarding. The lack of quality of life features in the auto-play really harms the games day to day 'fun' but the constant gradual progression even when playing 100% free to play is satisfying. Every few days I find myself actually playing a couple levels of the tower defense and seeing just how my roster has improved while also being presented with new challenges.

    It's worth noting that if you do NOT view Arknights as an idle game and instead choose to see it as a Tower Defense Gacha...prepare to love your first couple weeks and then hate the game. The drop rates in this gacha are atrocious (as they are in most mobile games) and the barriers that get in the way of more fun tower defense game play are monstrous. Based on what I've seen from youtubers showcasing the game...you need to spend a lot of money if you want to keep this game going at a good pace.

    As for the monetization in this game its pretty typical of a mobile game. Arknights is mostly PvE aside from a friends list system which plays a minor role in the overall experience. As such the pressure to 'pay to win' is entirely self inflected if you choose to go that route. If for some reason you're in a rush to get through the grind so you can start a new grind then so be it. If you're the sort to spend big on loot boxes and cosmetics than this is not going to be a pleasant experience for your pocket book and you should likely stay away.

    I very highly recommend people check this out. The hype is real and its among my favorite mobile experiences to date. That said mobile gaming in general isn't in the greatest place so there's still a ton of room for improvement and I can't bring myself to giving this more than a 7/10.    … Expand
  2. Vocaholic
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    I have been playing the game since it's launch on January the 16th and it has quickly soared to the top of my favorites when it comes to mobile/gacha games, taking a well-deserved place alongside Azur Lane if not above. Now I will say I'm heavily biased in that the game tickles my fancy in each and every way, from it's dystopian world and setting to the narrative story, it's uniform artI have been playing the game since it's launch on January the 16th and it has quickly soared to the top of my favorites when it comes to mobile/gacha games, taking a well-deserved place alongside Azur Lane if not above. Now I will say I'm heavily biased in that the game tickles my fancy in each and every way, from it's dystopian world and setting to the narrative story, it's uniform art style, the characters and the TD-like game-play.

    However setting personal bias aside, there's a good amount of things it has going for it when comparing to other games around the same genre. Though maybe not as 'generous' as say Azur Lane when it comes to acquiring materials for the gacha, it's still quite up there and offers more leniency on other aspects. Such as not being limited to a certain character/inventory limit that you have to expand by means of premium currency. It's foremost business model does revolve around the gacha and to some extent the operator skins, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it P2W in the slightest. It's a game that when given the time and careful thought, makes for a friendly and acceptable environment towards free players. Now I could elaborate a lot more on specific features and details but I feel it would make for too long of a review.

    There's one thing I will mention though, which is that yes, the game does feature a stamina system. Which to some who want to go hardcore can be a deterrent but at the same time it doesn't push people to be glued to their screen. In that sense, the game is definitely not as much of a grindfest either as most gacha games are, where you get RNG on top of RNG through various equipment and upgrades. it may not be perfect to be played as a true 'main game' but more of a work of art that you tend to and grow over the course of time. That said, recent events have showed a way to enjoy the game thoroughly without any stamina limit, with more of such events to come as well as new ones on the horizon that are still being developed and thought of.

    HyperGryph has definitely revived the TD genre for me, and with YoStar who are admirable in their own way for having what I consider the most generous gacha game, Azur Lane; they make for a promising future for this game. So it should come as no surprise that I give it a 10/10.    … Expand
  3. Priest_Chan
    Jun 24, 2020
    10
    日系手游現在已經有了一系列的製作套路，循規蹈矩跟隨潮流是最穩妥的方案——然而確實有人想要做點不一樣的游戲。想做不一樣的游戲，一般也是在遵守大多數已有成功設計的前提下選擇少數方面進行革新——然而這游戲在大多數地方都不跟隨主流。手游中特立獨行的扁平化UI，以現代和近未來設計爲主的美術和人設，復古但改動極大的塔防模式（實際上這種游戲方式已經不像塔防，更像是一個單人操縱的MMORPG團隊），非常沉重絕不輕鬆的世界觀和劇情。每一樣在手游裏都不算是首創，但敢集合如此多逆主流而行的設計，并且比較完美地組合在一起，這游戲就值得給出高分。日系手游現在已經有了一系列的製作套路，循規蹈矩跟隨潮流是最穩妥的方案——然而確實有人想要做點不一樣的游戲。想做不一樣的游戲，一般也是在遵守大多數已有成功設計的前提下選擇少數方面進行革新——然而這游戲在大多數地方都不跟隨主流。手游中特立獨行的扁平化UI，以現代和近未來設計爲主的美術和人設，復古但改動極大的塔防模式（實際上這種游戲方式已經不像塔防，更像是一個單人操縱的MMORPG團隊），非常沉重絕不輕鬆的世界觀和劇情。每一樣在手游裏都不算是首創，但敢集合如此多逆主流而行的設計，并且比較完美地組合在一起，這游戲就值得給出高分。
  4. TheGRAYDog
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    Verry good mobile game.
    Good graphics. Good story and verry F2P friendly :)
  5. VendonJura
    Mar 11, 2020
    3
    This is another heavy Pay2Win game on mobile. I don't even understand the hype for this game. I was that dumb enough to spend money in this game and purchased the monthly card. Even with that card it takes WEEKS to be able to summon only 1 x10 summon. I mean srsly? Even WITH the monthly card. There is a in game currancy recruite system but it is almost useless dua of 99.9% getting the sameThis is another heavy Pay2Win game on mobile. I don't even understand the hype for this game. I was that dumb enough to spend money in this game and purchased the monthly card. Even with that card it takes WEEKS to be able to summon only 1 x10 summon. I mean srsly? Even WITH the monthly card. There is a in game currancy recruite system but it is almost useless dua of 99.9% getting the same heroes. There are allot of good idea mechanics BUT they are mostly build in Pay2Win mechanic. Another Stamina system game where you get like 10 minutes of gameplay and have to wait for another 8-10 hours to play another 10 minutes. I mean WHY are there only stamina games out there? This is a pure Pay2Win mechanic. Casher just buys themself as much stamina as they want to. The balancing in this game is non existant. I mean you can place like 5-7 heroes at once and you are bombared with huuuuuuge amount of enemy 30-400 of them. There is a stupid mechanic which called DP Deplayment Points. Every hero has some and the funny or let's say sad thing is, when you promote a hero the DP increases. Why is that like that? I mean it is a PROMOTION not a DOWNGRADE but receiving a DP increase IS a DOWNGRADE. Yes your hero get's stronger BUT it is also harder to deplay that hero because of higher cost which ends up in heavy problems to win the battle or even getting 3 stars match because you lose a star even when 1 enemy goes through. You can decrease the DP cost but you have to get the same hero several times for doing that but it's also useless when you promote it, the DP cost is higher again. You can get like a decrease of 2+ DP for maxing out the potential of each hero but you need 5 another heroes of the same type. But only 1 promotion increases the DP cost 2+++. Most special dungeons are closed and only open on a special day like Monday, Sunday etc. This game could be so nice but it is filled with Pay2Win mechanics. I rlly just can not understand the hype for a heavy non balanced Pay2Win game like that. The best part of this game is the music and the graphics of each hero. I love that music and the voices of some heroes but of course there are heroes which voices are annoying or let's say CAN be annoying because of repeating every some seconds.… Expand
  6. XxX_420edge_XxX
    Nov 15, 2022
    8
    One of the best tower defense games and one of the most f2p friendly mobile games on the market
  7. onehitok
    Oct 8, 2021
    8
    I've played my fair share of tower defence games. Defense Witches and Fantasica are some of the mobile tower defence games I played. None of them were as good looking as Arknights. However, being a mobile game, they have to ask players to pay a lot to get good operators. Good game, highly recommended if you like afk games.
  8. Guiltycrown
    Sep 2, 2020
    9
    A very good game if u take time to play and know it then u will 100% want to spend all the time with it
  9. Weeweepeepee
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    "10/10 Best zoo management game" - Me
    "Still better than The last of us part 2" - My donkey
  10. Vrisoul
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    An overall amazing game all around, sure, it's a Gacha at the end of the day but it's a GOOD one. Good history, good characters, good gameplay, good events.

    I'd say that the only negative part is the summon system, specifically if you're a F2P player; the game's gonna give you next to nothing and the 'gacha money' is REALLY hard to obtain. The game somewhat loses it's F2P Friendly status    An overall amazing game all around, sure, it's a Gacha at the end of the day but it's a GOOD one. Good history, good characters, good gameplay, good events.

    I'd say that the only negative part is the summon system, specifically if you're a F2P player; the game's gonna give you next to nothing and the 'gacha money' is REALLY hard to obtain. The game somewhat loses it's F2P Friendly status after a while playing because of this; you'll NEED those rare Operators and you won't obtain them unless you get a lot of money in.

    Besides that, a really solid game.
    Truly one of the best gachas out there, hell, might even call it the best.    … Expand
  11. mesumu
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    very good,a very hard tower defense game.And this game is so damn hard,even with oldbies,some map you cant just bring high leveled ops and think you will win
  12. DOKTAH69
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    This game make me lose my irl sanity..........................................
  13. Doranku
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    The game is very good for a mobile game though annoying with stamina, you could manage ahead. Gacha system is not too f2p friendly but you can get few SSRs if you play long enough. Overall fun gameplay and nice story.
  14. ENVYRIX5
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    Its a fun strategy game with a forgiving gacha system that makes me play it day by day, it's not a pay to win gacha game since it has guaranteed ultra-rare system. The character are pretty and the voice acting is really good. It have a really good story.
  15. KevGraii
    Jan 8, 2021
    1
    This is a real Grinding hell of a game... an it Costs weeks of time to get 10 pulls. And i love Kemonomimi just no... my friend payed lots of € just to become rebecca (6 star) over 10 Times in a row...
  16. HK560
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    在如今gacha手游汎濫的時代，Arknights憑藉優良的劇情文案，深刻的角色塑造，傑出的BGM/OST，在同類游戲裏脫穎而出。
    作爲非傳統塔防類型的游戲又創新了許多玩法，後期每個關卡你都能感受到關卡設計師的良苦用心。
    作爲一個款氪金手游，對於F2P玩家也非常友好。製作組想要做一款與市面上大部分二次元手游都不同的游戲。游戲内通過稱重的故事和角色檔案使玩家和角色產設緊密的聯係。角色身上發生了什麽故事，和他人有什麽聯係，這都需要玩家自己研究角色的檔案結合其他故事背景進行研究。製作組很喜歡將一些神話故事，歷史現實作爲角色或故事的考據，你真的能夠感受到製作組的別有用心。而不是像其他二次元手游一樣憑藉普普通通的角色設計出低俗的皮膚立繪來鼓勵玩家氪金。    在如今gacha手游汎濫的時代，Arknights憑藉優良的劇情文案，深刻的角色塑造，傑出的BGM/OST，在同類游戲裏脫穎而出。
    作爲非傳統塔防類型的游戲又創新了許多玩法，後期每個關卡你都能感受到關卡設計師的良苦用心。
    作爲一個款氪金手游，對於F2P玩家也非常友好。製作組想要做一款與市面上大部分二次元手游都不同的游戲。游戲内通過稱重的故事和角色檔案使玩家和角色產設緊密的聯係。角色身上發生了什麽故事，和他人有什麽聯係，這都需要玩家自己研究角色的檔案結合其他故事背景進行研究。製作組很喜歡將一些神話故事，歷史現實作爲角色或故事的考據，你真的能夠感受到製作組的別有用心。而不是像其他二次元手游一樣憑藉普普通通的角色設計出低俗的皮膚立繪來鼓勵玩家氪金。
    説一些比較有趣的地方：1.這個游戲的宣傳PV非常酷炫值得學習。2.製作組很喜歡為這個游戲尋找著名音樂製作人創作音樂。3.這個游戲已經和KFC ，育碧，WWF等聯動 。4,這是一個中國大陸製作的游戲，現在有日服韓服美服台服代理。5.游戲裏含有許多謎題，期待各路玩家解密。6.你很難找到這個游戲的R18同人創作，游戲中的角色衣服裝備設計非常出色，并不低俗。

    我接觸過許多同類二次元手游，還沒有這麽一款讓我代入感如此之深，讓我覺得這段游戲時光并非空無價值。我可以非常自豪地和別人炫耀我玩過這個游戲。

    如果你玩過少女前綫（Girls'Frontline）我覺得你也會喜歡這個游戲的。

    It is an amazing game! I love it so much!    … Expand
  17. RandomRated
    Aug 11, 2020
    8
    Español (englihs version is more down): no esta mal...

    Pros: el juego puede parecer un pay to win con puro fan service, pero las opciones para obtener recursos son muchas, varias y muy accesibles, los personajes tienen un lore bastante interesante y tienen personalidades muy variadas y carismaticas, se nota que es diferente tener unidades fuertes a usar la estrategía. la historia es    Español (englihs version is more down): no esta mal...

    Pros: el juego puede parecer un pay to win con puro fan service, pero las opciones para obtener recursos son muchas, varias y muy accesibles, los personajes tienen un lore bastante interesante y tienen personalidades muy variadas y carismaticas, se nota que es diferente tener unidades fuertes a usar la estrategía. la historia es bastante buena, con un mundo y unos elementos bastante desarrollados. A demas de que el arte y los diseños tiene una rara conbinacion entre oscuridad gotica y colores brillantes, pero no llega a desentonar.

    Contras: la historia es bastante pesada, con cinematicas que varias veces mas de lo que duran los niveles, el farmeo y la sanidad SÍ son una combinacion que hace pesado el progreso de tus unidades, ademas de el simple hecho de depender de la suerte en obtener personajes o en ciertos aspectos lo hace simplemente caótico.

    conclusion: Pruebalo, lo recomiendo si quieres un juego de anime con waifus, pero tambien una historia interesante, bastante seria y que no abuse tanto del fan serice barato


    (Englis): not bad...

    Pros: the game may seem like a pay to win with pure fan service, but the options to obtain resources are many, various and very accessible, the characters have quite interesting lore and have very varied and charismatic personalities, it shows that it is different to have strong units to use the strategy. the story is quite good, with a fairly developed world and elements. In addition to the fact that art and designs have a rare combination of gothic darkness and bright colors, but it is not at odds.

    Contras: the story is quite heavy, with cinematics that are several times longer than the levels last, farming and health ARE a combination that makes the progress of your units heavy, in addition to the simple fact of depending on luck in getting characters or in certain aspects makes it just chaotic.

    conclusion: Try it, I recommend it if you want an anime game with waifus, but also an interesting story, quite serious and that does not abuse so much the cheap fan serice    … Expand
  18. Hesta
    Nov 12, 2020
    10
    Arknights is a tower defense/collectors game. The game has zero competitiveness and there is no one who is stronger then you, but instead it relies more on peoples dedication to the game. The only thing people can flex on each other is the fact that they came up with a strategy to beat the end game content of the game. The games gameplay graphics is quite cute, with extremely beautifulArknights is a tower defense/collectors game. The game has zero competitiveness and there is no one who is stronger then you, but instead it relies more on peoples dedication to the game. The only thing people can flex on each other is the fact that they came up with a strategy to beat the end game content of the game. The games gameplay graphics is quite cute, with extremely beautiful character skins and designs. The music in the game and when Arknights release new content has some of the best music that i've heard in a game. The lore is rich and still ever evolving with the Global release currently being 2 chapters behind the CN release. The games grind aspect is not too intense, you can play the game a bit everyday and still keep up with current events. The only difficulty comes when you want to beat endgame event missions (not endgame story missions). These missions sometimes require you to Mastery 3 a skill which can take a long grind to complete. As for the story missions, these mission can easily be beaten with 3* units, but requires you to use quite a bit of planning and strategy to overcome them. As for the gacha aspect it isn't too bad, since the game is not competitive you can go at your own pace. The game is quite generous when it comes to pulls, you are able to earn Originum Prime and convert it to orundum, which you can then use to pull for units. Every time you beat a new stage with a 3* rating you earn 1 OP and challenge missions also give you 1. As for event missions they also provide OP for you when you clear them. Another aspect of the gacha system is you earn certificates from pulling units, which you can use to get yourself a guaranteed 6*, more pulls or material for your characters. Overall, the game is extremely fun, it isn't difficult if you're a casual player, but does provide a challenge if you want to beat the endgame event missions. Gacha pulls are also generous, I've saved up 60 pulls within 1 month of playing, with the help of a monthly pass and some weekly grinding. Leveling your units is also not too particularly difficult, I have been able to E2 over 30 units within 5 months of gameplay. As for the amount of 6* I have, I've gotten well over 50 6* throughout my whole playtime. If you're able to dedicate some time to the game, you'll be able to see the beauty of all of the games content together. An amazing game, I hope will continue to flourish and become even more fun.… Expand
  19. Nazir
    Nov 25, 2020
    9
    For a TD & Gacha game, Arknights is better than any Mobile games out there. The gameplay is pretty simple, if you know how to play PvZ than you are good. For the gacha system is also not bad. " Guarantee 5* Op " in each banner, tell me if there is any other gacha games make the gacha system look like that. About the microtransactions however, you actually can complete a hard stage withoutFor a TD & Gacha game, Arknights is better than any Mobile games out there. The gameplay is pretty simple, if you know how to play PvZ than you are good. For the gacha system is also not bad. " Guarantee 5* Op " in each banner, tell me if there is any other gacha games make the gacha system look like that. About the microtransactions however, you actually can complete a hard stage without using any 6* OP. If you feel you need to, than you can borrow your friend's 6* OP. Still working forward of it.… Expand
  20. Drackho
    Dec 3, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game have story so dark but with good opening story you will bring can't believe this story dark, and you can how feal story so strong with you character with so more plot twice fother more this game about gacha BUT you dont nead wory about it's because tih game pitu rate so high and if you want celar stage you must use intelegent trus me not always high charater(Oprator) to finish stage but low character can finish to until the end, this gam pure use your intelegent not just hig or strong charater tjis perfect… Expand
  21. Sunny_Senpai
    Dec 18, 2020
    10
    Pros:
    + The one and only Anime-style Tower Defense
    + Outstanding soundtracks + Probably the best lore I've ever seen (than Skyrim, One piece, etc.) + Story is as dark and realistic as Attack on Titan + Neat 3D chibi graphics + Acceptable gacha system + Voiced by many popular voice actors + Frequent events with many tales that interconnect with main story + Very F2P friendly +    Pros:
    + The one and only Anime-style Tower Defense
    + Outstanding soundtracks
    + Probably the best lore I've ever seen (than Skyrim, One piece, etc.)
    + Story is as dark and realistic as Attack on Titan
    + Neat 3D chibi graphics
    + Acceptable gacha system
    + Voiced by many popular voice actors
    + Frequent events with many tales that interconnect with main story
    + Very F2P friendly
    + Fallout Shelter base like feature
    + Badass art style with almost no oversexualizing female chars
    + Contingency Contract mode
    + The absurd amount of foreshadowing and puzzles in the official trailers and previews
    + The anxiety at higher difficult stages where timing and placement is everything
    + Every player has their own journey with their respective characters
    + Challenging yourself by playing levels with certain conditions

    Cons:
    - Heavy daily farming is necessary
    - No unlimited practice
    - Narration pacing and translation errors
    - Story is not for you if you don't like putting all the pieces together by yourself, as it's NOT linear
    - Wish the narration was voiced rather than just text
    - Story has so much potential that it shouldn't be Visual Novel, maybe we will get an anime soon?
    - Only one character in Live 2D (as of now)

    If you play this game please don't watch any videos about how to play a certain level. If you are stuck, use your BRAIN. You will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of satisfaction you get by finishing a hard level, it's just PvE so take your time.    … Expand
  22. MartinAZ
    Apr 10, 2022
    9
    Martin A.- Arknights is something special.

    The amount of detail and gorgeous backgrounds are jaw dropping. This app is a Real Time Strategy, Tower Defense styled game. Arknights isn't afraid to let go of your hand unlike other games that lead the way with constant pop up instruction screens. Every character has a purpose as well as a specific skillset and design for every scenario. I    Martin A.- Arknights is something special.

    The amount of detail and gorgeous backgrounds are jaw dropping. This app is a Real Time Strategy, Tower Defense styled game.

    Arknights isn't afraid to let go of your hand unlike other games that lead the way with constant pop up instruction screens. Every character has a purpose as well as a specific skillset and design for every scenario. I thought, I could go in guns blazing but Arknights demands your attention and wit.

    There were many times where I thought I just put my PSP (Playstation Portable) down and thought I lost my phone. Have I mentioned that this game also has fantastic music?

    As I write this review, I have spent nothing. It makes me look back at other games I've paid in the past and nothing comes close to this kind of quality. I'm honestly embarrassed that I did not find this game sooner. Arknights is not only worth a try, it's worth your time. 9 out of 10.    … Expand
  23. EgeliT
    May 16, 2021
    0
    Animeci misin oyuna gir ve oyunu öv tower defense oyunundan çalıp üstüne texture olarak anime kızı koyarak oyun yapılmıyor
  24. Darkreaprz
    Aug 25, 2022
    10
    Weeb pvz with lore very good game sadly the stuffs over priced but the waifus in this game are good though
  25. Ortana
    Aug 23, 2023
    0
    Rubbish gacha heavy trash. You can't pay me money to play this mess of a game. Awful.
  26. 7777luck
    Aug 15, 2023
    10
    good mobile game.
    It's the game I'm having the most fun playing right now. First game I've played in over 3 years and I don't regret it.
    I'm using a translator.
  27. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Gamezebo
    May 4, 2020
    80
    If nothing else, Heart of Surging Flame with the brand new collaborated song ‘After It All’ composed by famous Dutch DJ duo Yellow Claw is an excellent reason to download the game right now. If you enjoy strategy RPG games, Arknights is unlikely to disappoint.
    Read full review
  2. Noisy Pixel
    Feb 12, 2020
    80
    There’s a lot to love about Arknights. Within the game’s story, base-building mechanics, and resource collecting side missions, there’s a ton to experience, but I was hoping for a little more. A PvP mode or event story modes would have worked well here as well as have it more in line with other mobile games available.
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