Diplomacy is Not an Option

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. KeenGamer
    Oct 21, 2024
    90
    Diplomacy is Not an Option delivers on the ambitious promise of a streamlined RTS city builder that forgoes on the minutia of the more grindy aspects of the city building aspect, while retaining the surface gameplay of planning your city's layout, and letting you focus more heavily on the strategy side, which you'll have to to keep up with the actually really challenging waves of attacks you'll have to defend against. It also remains silly and entertaining despite being so hard and punishing when making mistakes.
  2. Try Hard Guides
    Oct 5, 2024
    90
    While not the most innovative in its genre, Diplomacy is Not An Option takes a solid focus on traditional tower defense and wave-survival city building, challenging you to manage resources and build a mighty castle to survive against huge, statistically varied hordes of enemies.
  3. GameGrin
    Nov 15, 2024
    85
    Diplomacy Is Not An Option offers plenty of modes for beginner and experienced RTS players to enjoy, with a tongue-in-cheek attitude and gameplay that’s easy to understand.
  5. GamingTrend
    Apr 1, 2025
    80
    After 52 hours of play, Diplomacy is Not an Option has captured my attention in a way most games these days can’t. It’s an old-school style RTS that demands commitment and a dedication to “get good”. It asks a lot from the player and does many things right while stumbling in a few areas.
  6. GameStar
    Oct 6, 2024
    80
    Less complex, but very demanding castle-building game that impresses above all else with its massive number of troop units.
  7. Vandal
    Nov 10, 2024
    76
    Quotation forthcoming.
  8. Cubed3
    Sep 11, 2025
    70
    Get ready to defend your keep from merciless enemy waves, or die trying, in an RTS that’s far from a walk in the park. Success requires precise planning and plenty of patience, as maps often last longer than they should and failure lurks around the corner, ready to ruin hours of work. Diplomacy is Not an Option is rough around the edges and certainly not a casual-friendly strategy title, but it’s also tons of fun, with an unappareled feeling of satisfaction when everything goes according to plan.
  9. Finger Guns
    Oct 15, 2024
    70
    Diplomacy is Not an Option demonstrates the art of negotiation by being totally unflinching in both its vision and level of difficulty. Massive, bombastic battles are an absurd delight, provided you can muster the bravado to keep smashing your head against these rather thick, unmoving walls. Despite its flaws and missteps, Diplomacy is Not an Option is a sturdy castle that can withstand a good few of the ridiculously gigantic onslaughts it faces.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Feb 9, 2022
    Diplomacy Is Not An Option is a compelling little game with short-lived appeal for super serious strategy fans, but one with loads of character and entertaining physics. It’s a delightful merry-go-round of building stuff and defending stuff that sometimes handcuffs you to your merry-go-round horse and doesn’t let you off. [Early Access Review]