The Castle Doctrine
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for The Castle Doctrine
A a grim, unsatisfying and morally dubious exercise in frustration and empathy suppression.
A merciless and thoughtfully-designed online strategy game whose clever systems enable a unique and troubling experience.
This is definitely a niche title, but those looking for something well off the beaten path won't be disappointed
The Castle Doctrine is a poorly balanced structure built on an unstable foundation.
The Castle Doctrine is certainly an experience unlike any other, but I also find it hard to recommend since it's so obtuse and seems to want to put new players at a huge disadvantage, increasing the skill gap between the best and the worst. Intense research and work must be put forth to succeed, but there's no real motivation except bigger and better death traps. If you have a penchant for creating complex death traps with a limited toolset, The Castle Doctrine may be just for you. Otherwise,do some research before moving into the most dangerous neighborhood of all time.
My cranium is red raw from tearing strands of hair from my scalp in frustration and I'm sure plenty of others will be bald within an hour of playing The Castle Doctrine. It's a shame that this is the case because there are some interesting options available to players, but the cutthroat design choices are a step too far.
Honestly, as a game The Castle Doctrine has some very interesting parts. As a puzzler it will always keep you on your toes, you will even struggle to beat your own traps unless, like me, you write down the exact way to beat them. It's incredibly interesting to plan your house out and make it as impermeable as possible. What turns me off of The Castle Doctrine is the innate brutality, there's no way to be a good guy, just to be on the nicer side of evil.
