I’ve been a fan of real-time strategy (RTS) games ever since I was a kid, growing up with classics like Red Alert 2, Age of Empires, and Age of Mythology. Now, I think I’ve found a game that could bring me back to RTS gaming: Thronefall. It’s a great mix of all those games I loved, with a bit of inspiration from roguelikes and bullet hell shooters thrown in.
GrizzlyGames, the developers behind Thronefall, have managed to combine several of my favorite genres—strategy, city-building, tower defense—all set in a medieval world. They’ve also created other well-received games like Islanders and Superflight. After diving into Thronefall, I’ve become a big fan of this indie developer and now want to explore their other titles. So, let’s talk about my first impressions of this castle defense game.
Presentation & Graphics
Thronefall features a vibrant, low-poly aesthetic that looks fantastic. It’s a testament to the idea that you don’t need ultra-realistic graphics to deliver a top-notch gameplay experience, similar to what Battlebit achieves. The way they balanced the colors in the game is pleasing to the eye.
At first, I thought the building mechanics were a bit odd because I expected to place buildings anywhere. However, the game uses markers to indicate where structures should be built, which actually works well to keep the base visually appealing. These markers mean you can build structures in these spots if you have enough gold. The overall art style is reminiscent of Dorfromantik, giving it a cozy feel.
I think the developers should consider adding more game modes in future updates. It would be great if the community could create their own levels via Steam Workshop, provided the game gains enough popularity.
Level Design & Gameplay
Thronefall offers four different areas to explore. The first level serves as a tutorial to introduce you to the game mechanics. So, you start by building a castle and then use your gold to add structures like houses, mills, towers, and walls to defend your base.
Once you’ve spent all your gold, you trigger nighttime, and that’s when enemy hordes begin to attack. Red circular icons on the screen edges help you strategize against these incoming waves. Your tactical skills will be tested since you’ll need to defend your castle at all costs—once it’s destroyed, the game is over.
Command Your Own Soldiers
One of the standout features of Thronefall is commanding your army. Unlike The Unliving, where controlling units felt clunky, Thronefall makes it easy to manage your troops. You can find your hero quickly, and the number of units on screen never feels overwhelming.
By holding the Ctrl key, you can select nearby units. Leading your soldiers feels strategic, similar to chess. You need to train the right type of soldiers to counter different enemy units. For example, train Hunters to fight Monsters, or deploy Knights to handle enemy Archers.
However, it can be frustrating when your soldiers are overly aggressive by default. Ranged units, in particular, shouldn’t be charging into the front lines because they’re not as durable as melee units. I found out later that an update added a function allowing units to hold their position, which helps manage this aggression.
In summary, Thronefall is a compelling game that blends several genres seamlessly, offering a fresh take on the RTS and tower defense genres. If you’re a fan of these genres or just looking for something new, I highly recommend giving it a try.