Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 85 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 92 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 85 | 5 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 86 | 59 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 90.7, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 10,851 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 168 reviews sampled · 142 total reviews in window · weighted 120.5 up / 10.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Just as polished and poised as you'd expect, Kingdom Rush: Frontiers continues the legacy of its predecessor without really adding anything new.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There are more upgrades, a greater diversity in environments, and more enemy types than ever before. Fans have likely already grabbed the game at launch - for everyone else, know that this new Kingdom Rush ensures the series remains at the top of this bloated genre.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“However, in the great scheme of things there's little to complain about in this excellent sequel to a great game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Downloadable currencies and content aside, the base game of Kingdom Rush Frontiers is an enjoyable one, and it comes highly recommended to existing fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Kingdom Rush is varied, deep and accessible. You'll easily entertain yourself for hours on end with it. A truly great iOS game.”
read full review ↗ - 94
“I’ll keep going back for more punishment because Kingdom Rush: Frontiers is just that damn good. It’s not only worthy of carrying the title of “sequel to Kingdom Rush,” it’s one of the finest tower-defense games you’ll find anywhere, regardless of platform.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Armed with arresting visuals and a slightly irreverent tone, Kingdom Rush Frontiers is a cut above the usual tower defense game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Where Kingdom Rush Frontiers really succeeds is its variety though. The sense of monotony that often plagues tower defense games never sets in, with tons of variety both in settings and enemy types so that you're always facing some fresh challenge.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kingdom Rush: Frontiers is highly approachable, but don’t let its humorous comic veneer fool you. Turn up the difficulty, and Ironhide has tuned a remarkably balanced game that juggles punishment and reward in equal measure. Frontiers remains close to form to its predecessor, but recognizing where to make improvements on an already strong formula is an art form all its own. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“So the characters may be a tad bit too small, and so some of the more impressive heroes are pretty expensive to buy; these complaints are easily dwarfed by the impeccable tower defense gameplay, the vibrant and lively cartoon visuals, and the deep and lengthy campaign that all make Kingdom Rush: Frontiers a serious force to be reckoned with on the App Store today.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This core loop of planning and upgrading defences while plugging the gaps in your frontline is enriched by art that imbues surprising amounts of character into your microscopic soldiers, and sound design that turns the clash of swords and crackling fizz of magic spells into a compulsive symphony.”
read full review ↗ - 87
“A towering achievement. [Sept 2013, p.81]”
GamesBeat
Arcade Sushi
Digital Spy
Game Informer…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- The Primal Ravage update is hereSep 29, 2022
- Endless levels updateAug 31, 2021
- Update 1.4 - Venture into the Darklight Depths!Dec 15, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.4 - Venture into the Darklight Depths!Dec 15, 2016
- Rising Tides are upon us! - Update 1.2Sep 30, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Rising Tides are upon us! - Update 1.2Sep 30, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.1 is Out (Linux version, extra languages and fixes)!!!Aug 29, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.1 is Out (Linux version, extra languages and fixes)!!!Aug 29, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Updates ScheduleJul 28, 2016
- Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Updates ScheduleJul 28, 2016