Common Sense Media Review
By Paul Semel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Deep, amusing fantasy strategy tosses story for tactics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Castle Burn
What's It About?
While CASTLE BURN has some lore, and its characters have backstories, there isn't an overarching story to this game. Instead, you engage in a series of skirmishes against opponents both offline and on. These battles -- and, indeed, every aspect of this game -- are steeped in fantasy lore, from the goblins and cat magicians to the use of "mana" (aka magic) as the resource you use to call forth troops or build your command post.
Is It Any Good?
While this is a fairly typical strategic action game, what makes it stand out is the level of depth and seriousness that will appeal to hard-core fans of this kind of game. In Castle Burn, you have to build medieval structures and send fantasy characters into battles against both fellow players and the computer. With mana as your resource, you have to send archers, goblins, and other standard Dungeons & Dragons-like characters to attack enemy forces and structures in one-on-one battles to the death against other players ... or four rounds if you're playing solo.
But while some characters are cartoony, and this game has less blood than an animated movie, there's depth to the gameplay. In fact, unlike other strategic action games for tablets and phones that go for simpler controls and play, there's some complexity to be found here.That isn't to say that novices will have difficulty playing Castle Burn, but they will need to pay attention when playing the tutorial. And the first couple rounds. And the first solo fight against the computer. It's too bad that the game doesn't have a compelling story driving its single-player battles. But if you're the patient type, and don't care too much why there are cats with magic powers as part of your army, you'll have fun, and maybe a couple chuckles, commanding the forces of Castle Burn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games. How is the violence in Castle Burn affected by the top-down perspective of the camera, which limits its intensity? Would the violence be easier to take if you were fighting against creatures instead of people?
How much is too much to spend on a game like this? How do you decide how much to pay so designers will be motivated to make more games like this, versus spending a lot for things you don't need or can earn by playing?
Why do you think watching ads is a popular thing in mobile games? Do you ever click to watch an ad but then don't watch it?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : August 13, 2018
- Genre : Strategy Games
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Publisher : Bluehole PNIX
- Version : 1.2.5
- Minimum software requirements : Requires iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.1 and up
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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