Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Protect your island in explosive click-and-build war game.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Boom Beach
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say this game is a fun and engaging real-time strategy experience that encourages resource management and strategic thinking, although some reviews note the potential for in-app purchases and occasional violence. While many find it entertaining and less intense than similar titles, there are concerns regarding accessibility for younger players and the challenges posed by poor network connectivity.
- strategic gameplay
- fun for kids
- in-app purchases
- network issues
- parental guidance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
Players must defend and build up an island base as they explore and free the surrounding island natives from an evil overlord. This is done through assaults from both gunships and beach landing parties, who fire upon whatever's in their path. Destroying the opposing headquarters wins the battle (which also has a time limit, so if the headquarters isn't destroyed before the battle ends, you win nothing). Free islands regularly supply you with gold and wood, which then can be used to upgrade your headquarters and build other structures. You have to constantly retake the islands to keep up your resources, though -- and battle other humans. Players can upgrade their troops and armament as they level up in the game.
Is It Any Good?
Clash of Clans can be an intimidating game; BOOM BEACH offers just as much fun without the tough ramp-up. It's a game that certainly requires some strategic thinking, but it avoids falling in the trap of becoming a resource-gathering treadmill (get stuff, build stuff, get stuff). If you're patient, you can play the game thoroughly without spending a penny (though an in-app purchase system offers lots of shortcuts).
The focus here is on combat, and it's a fun battle to wage. It's well-paced, keeping you in a zone where the battles might be tough but are winnable before opening you up to other human opponents or increasing the computer's advantage. This battle focus comes at the cost of customization: There aren't a lot of personal options for the village you build, something that could change in the months to come. Boom Beach is a freemium game that doesn't shove transactions down your throat and offers some pretty terrific gameplay. There's not much else you could ask for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance and benefits of patience. Is it more satisfying to wait for a fortress to be built, or is the instant satisfaction of an in-app purchase worth it?
Families also can talk about the difference between real-world and cinematic violence and the horrors of real war.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : March 26, 2014
- Genre : Action Games
- Publisher : Supercell
- Version : 13.63.1
- Minimum software requirements : ios 7.0 or later
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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