Defend Your Castle

 Wii
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Worth Playing
    80
    A fun romp and certainly an admirable attempt at making a fresh experience on such a new service.
  2. IGN
    79
    Defend Your Castle is a fun WiiWare game and a perfect example of what the service can bring to Wii owners. Namely, seemingly shallow pick-up-and-play experiences with hidden depth.
  3. GamePro
    75
    This is a game that was made to break the ice at parties and gatherings of gamers, and it does that job amazingly well.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    74
    A worthwhile title and a steal at only 500 points. Fans of games like PixelJunk Monsters will be drawn to its "defend the tower" style gameplay, and it is also fun for those who enjoy a quick pick-up-and-play experience.
  6. Gamervision
    70
    The craziness and inanity of the game definitely makes it a great party title, but the lack of descriptions on how some of the abilities you gain throughout the game work are counterintuitive towards the playability and arcade feel.
  7. Zentendo
    70
    While Defend Your Castle is fairly simple and repetitive in and of itself, it is also highly addicting and quite fun with friends in short bursts of time.
  8. Nintendo Life
    70
    An easily accessible little oddity with nearly unlimited appeal. It serves as a classic example of old school game design enhanced by the Wiimote’s motion controls.
  9. N-Europe
    70
    Presentation is top notch and sends it up and above the flash version, if you find yourself wanting a cheap title to pass the time then there are few better than this on Wiiware the moment.
  10. Hardcore Gamer
    70
    It’s simple, fun, and funny. Sure, it’s not overflowing with content, but for five dollars, you could do a lot worse.
  11. 1UP
    67
    The effects are also the biggest difference between this WiiWare version and the Flash original, which shared most of the game mechanics but lacked the visual appeal.
  12. Games Master UK
    65
    Like murdering stick men? Then you'll like this cutesy battler. [Nov 2008, p.85]
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  13. Giant Bomb
    60
    The presentation goes a long way towards making Defend Your Castle a worthwhile experience, but after a few hours of fending off hordes of DIY enemies, I was done with it.
  14. GameSpot
    60
    There's not much to Defend Your Castle, but it does have some entertainment value.
  15. n-Revolution Magazine UK
    60
    Effortlessly entertaining and guaranteed to cause a few giggles, but shallow.
  16. Gameplayer Sweden
    60
    Based on a popular flash game this Wiiware product takes the concept a little further. The graphical style is bizarrely unique and the gameplay is repetitive but somehow enchanting. Best enjoyed with one of your friends.
  17. Eurogamer
    50
    There's definitely potential here to build something more robust, with multiple power-ups and numerous enemy types, but Defend Your Castle becomes a mindless slog far too quickly to warrant repeat plays.
  18. Nintendo Gamer
    40
    Like the stick men themselves, Defend Your Castle is a little skinny but not unable to break through your defences. [Aug 2008, p.75]
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Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best Wii Game of 2008
30
#30 Most Shared Wii Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. LucoTheFish
    Aug 12, 2008
    8
    A great pick-up-and-play bargain game with hidden depth, your objective is to defend your castle from hoards of invading stick men. This game A great pick-up-and-play bargain game with hidden depth, your objective is to defend your castle from hoards of invading stick men. This game is a lot like the free flash version on the X-Gen studios website, however the wiiware version has been built from the ground up, not ported. The main differences are the graphics, a new "Heroic" mode for DYC veterans, and 4 way multiplayer. I've had a lot of fun playing through it solo, but the game really comes into it's own with the jump-in multiplayer, which allows up to 3 other players to join in at any time. The first 10 levels are really slow and boring, but stick with it (har har) and you'll soon be buried under so many enemies it borders on ridiculous. The levels are infinite, but there's nothing new to see after level 50. However, if you enjoy playing it as much as I have, you'll want to play through till at at least level 100. I think a good stopping point would be when you can make the castle self-sufficient, i.e. it can survive every round without you having to do anything. That's when you can say you've beaten it. As a party game, it's a total bargain. Very accesible, very fun, very worth getting.… Full Review »
  2. XanderC
    Jun 8, 2008
    8
    As most of the reviews will point out, this game is a wonderful title for "Pick-up-and-go" games. Having played the original version since it As most of the reviews will point out, this game is a wonderful title for "Pick-up-and-go" games. Having played the original version since it was first released, I was honestly not intreged at first though of a 5$ upgrade, but after tonight, it was money well spent. It wasn't just an upgrade, but a muiti-player experience that was priceless in getting new "Wii" players a feel for the controler, and veteran players a ice-breaker to continue into different subjects. As always, try the original flash version first. If that can hold your interest for 10~15mins, then consider the WiiWare version.… Full Review »
  3. BenV.
    May 15, 2008
    4
    Defend Your Castle is very easy to learn, and very easy to master. There's no real depth or strategy to the game, and nothing new to see Defend Your Castle is very easy to learn, and very easy to master. There's no real depth or strategy to the game, and nothing new to see or do before you even hit the half hour mark. It's not a terrible game to play, but it just doesn't give you very much reason to go back to it. There's a free, flash version of the game on the internet, and I suggest you play that and see how long it really keeps you entertained before dropping five dollars on the WiiWare edition.… Full Review »
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