# Wind Up Robots — user reviews > 38 indexed App Store user reviews of Wind Up Robots by Soma Games, rated 4.80/5 from 6 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wind-up-robots/id472476762/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wind-up-robots/id472476762.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 5 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 0 ## Newest reviews (14 of 38) ### 2/5 — Well... *2013-08-22, version 2.0.2* The robot is slow and basically you don't win. It's hard and boring. Although creative. ### 4/5 — exploring *2013-08-20, version 2.0.2* Easy enough! Not bad! ### 3/5 — Alright but hard *2012-07-20, version 2.0.0* The first level can be a bit of a struggle for some but after a while it becomes way too hard ### 2/5 — Interesting game. *2012-07-10, version 2.0.0* The gameplay isn't bad and the characters are interesting enough, but the controls break the game. It's very tough to navigate the camera in the game, as well as moving the robots around. If it had a top-down view, I think this would make a really fun defense game. ### 2/5 — No effort *2012-07-04, version 2.0.0* It's a sign when you get bad reviews on a free game. I hope the dev's listen to the free advice. Usually, the beginning levels (even on a hard game) give you at least a bit of a learning curve. The second level lets you use only one robot (even though it says you can use two) and the one you can use has NO range. Increase the range of the robots and slow the enemies down. Also, work on the in-game character-selection. 2 stars because I thought the concept was cool and my daughters love the robots fighting dinosaurs. ### 2/5 — Half finished *2012-07-04, version 2.0.0* This game has potential, it just looks like the developers went, look it works overall but forgot about several key things. The controls and camera view are a joke. You can either zoom really far out, or awkwardly zoom in to only the middle of the arena. Tapping or dragging to move one robot somehow results in another one moving. The bugs. Every stage I play I encounter a bug. Whether it be robots deciding not to attack, not to move, or not to go back for repairs, just making this game less playable The slow paced nature of the game. Whilst the waves are okay, the power ups and coins are extremely slow to gain. For most of the items they are 1000 coins+. Given that you get 1 coin per monster killed, and then have to tap the coin it's too slow paced, taking hours to get even a single costume. Overall I'd use this app in the future if improvements were made but atm, it's far too unplayable. ### 2/5 — Not that good *2012-03-28, version 2.0.0* The graphics are good but everything else is bad, from the controls to the boring gameplay. Glad it was free. ### 2/5 — Lame, tedious and boring *2012-02-09, version 1.0.3* im usually forgiving on many games, especially if the graphics r this nice, but wind up robots isnt worth the try right now. 2 stars go simply for the great graphic and sound which r quite detailed, but gameplay really fails here. All robots, while having different functions, seem to be just as useless as the other and their attack method is all the same with just a few minor changes between them. The worst part tho is the controlling, its non existent. Having large groups of enemies spawn and start dashing towards the base is almost impossible to comfortably counter. Touch responsiveness is sluggish and often fails, and the screen is too cramped u end tapping the wrong thing. controlling a clumsy camera with all this action going on doesnt really help. Needs a lot of work! ### 2/5 — Not clear. *2012-01-07, version 1.0.2* It's bot clear what to do in the game. Very annoying. ### 3/5 — Cute but very difficult game *2012-01-02, version 1.0.2* This game has a lot of character and is a fresh take on tower defense but it is extremely tough. I've only managed to clear the first level after 3 days! Much of the challenge comes not so much from the game per se but trying to get the robots to move where you want them to. And the playing field is so small! It only takes some creps a couple seconds to get across!This game needs more detailed instructions or a much better tutorial. A good buy for .99$ but I wouldn't pay more unto some improvements and re-balancing have been made. ### 3/5 — too hard *2011-12-31, version 1.0.2* its difficulty is ridiculous... only the first level is easy to pass, its an obvious push towards in app purchases to upgrade towers ### 4/5 — It's very good. *2011-12-30, version 1.0.1* It's good but I went and got 1,000 coins it took a dollar but no coins so ### 2/5 — Crashes *2011-12-30, version 1.0.1* This game crashed on me the first time I opened it!!! ### 1/5 — This is a lame pathetic ripoff *2011-12-28, version 1.0.1* Most games that require in app purchases and use in app ads are free. Not this one, and even if it was its average at best. The reviews appears to be written by friends in the developer. I should have seen through it. Don't waist your buck! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not optimized *2013-08-21, version 2.0.2* It says it is optimized for iphone 5. It is not. One star for lying and being outdated. ### 1/5 — TERRIBLE *2013-08-20, version 2.0.2* THE WORST GAME EVER ### 1/5 — FRAUD *2013-01-02, version 2.0.0* Ignore the fake positive reviews done by the developer. This is a 1 star game. Just awful!! ### 1/5 — Boring *2013-01-02* What a terrible game, really boring, the gameplay is slow And the camera is annoying. ### 1/5 — It stinks! *2012-08-08, version 2.0.0* The looks are nice and the art but the gameplay is horrible!! First the game is sooo freaking hard! I could barley make it through the first level, and the second level is impossible! Second the controls stink! And third the camera controls are annoying as heck! I'm glad I got this for free but DO NOT BUY cuz it's not even worth it free! ### 1/5 — Ruined *2012-03-26, version 2.0.0* As stated on previous review, the control of this game is a joke. Font is too small on iphone, oh... and Game center achievement didn't work. Luckily I got this game when its free ### 1/5 — DONT BUY. Terrible crashes before title screen *2012-01-14, version 1.0.2* Above ### 1/5 — Wont even load *2012-01-09, version 1.0.2* What a waste time and money! I know its only $.99 buy still. Atleast me sure it works. It wount even load ### 1/5 — Won't Start *2011-12-31, version 1.0.2* I purchased this game and it won't even start. It just jumps out at the start. DO NOT GET THIS GAME!!! ### 1/5 — Bad game for the reasons below *2011-12-31, version 1.0.2* Dont waste your dollar. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — It’s back! *2020-04-14, version 3.0.1* Got the game three years ago and had fun with it. But when my old phone died the game was lost to time. Now i can finish what i started. :) and it‘s better than ever. ### 5/5 — Cool robot tower defense that’s challenging *2020-04-13, version 3.0.1* I had a blast playing the game and found it to be a great challenge. The robots were prey cool especially how you can add all sorts of wacky costumes. Fun story too! ### 5/5 — Great Game! *2013-01-03, version 2.0.0* This game is fun, creative, and entertaining. The graphics are vibrant and stunning. Love this game! ### 5/5 — From what I *2012-07-04, version 2.0.0* It's a charming little game. Quite polished graphics. You command and deploy tiny robots to defend the child from evil dreams and meanies. They are not fixed defenses though, you can move them in real time as you please and as the situation demands. You unlock several types of robots as well as enemies. Enemies you defeat go into a wall of trophies...literally! That was pretty funny. The camera is a little finnicky, but I am playing on an iPhone 4. My girlfriend played it on the iPad and it's way more manageable. And you can really see the game shine in the bigger screen. It's a sweet game that's worth a shot to try out. What can you lose? It's free! I would love some more costumes though, even though the gangster one I have them wearing is quite humorous. I'd love some military drab or some other funny ones. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Awesome *2012-02-16, version 1.0.3* Brilliant take on the Castle Defense genre! The graphics are superb! The game has a great atmosphere that really ties in the gameplay. Edit: they fixed the crashing! ### 5/5 — awesome game *2011-12-28, version 1.0.1* this game was a real stunner in terms of gameplay, graphics and variety i cant wait for the many updates that will make this game even better :D Keep up the good work Soma Games!!! ### 5/5 — So well done! *2011-12-22, version 1.0.1* Graphics - Amazing! Music - Perfect! Sound effects - Spot on and creative! The execution of this classic tower defense game creates a whole new standard for the genre. The bar has been raised... Very, very high. ### 5/5 — Love it! *2011-12-17, version 1.0.1* Love the Graphics, so nice! its such a fun game to play, its like having a toy boy at my finger tips ### 5/5 — Fun and different *2011-12-17, version 1.0.1* My son really likes this game! He loves the robots and dinosaurs. Very clever and creative. Different from the multitude of apps out there! ### 5/5 — For the botheads in all of us *2011-12-16, version 1.0.1* Everyday the iTunes store delivers a plethora of games which can be daunting to comb through for novices and advanced gamers alike. One game that certainly surprised me is Wind Up Robots by Soma Games. Slickly presented, it’s a charming and wildly hectic robot defense (yes, robot defense) game that will get your gears going. Casual time waster, addicting, and entertaining come to mind, but one thing is for sure, you won’t be bored. As with any tower defense game, the objective is fairly straightforward in that you pick your troops and weapons and deploy to defend. But, Wind Up Robots is much more creative and entertaining than that. Wind Up Robots is about Zach, a little boy haunted by nightmares. With his father off to war, Grandpa Jack is the closest thing Zach has to family. The adventure begins one night when Jack unveils his latest creations to Zach—wind up toy robots that will protect and defend at all costs. The devs spent a good amount of effort on presentation which is obvious throughout. Wind Up Robots is rendered in high quality graphics and animation which really makes the game a pleasure to look at. From audio perspective, the tracks within each stage provide just the right balance between whimsy and intensity. It may sound like a strange combination, but it certainly adds to the experience. This game is obviously about robots, and there it doesn’t disappoint both in presentation and in gameplay. You have 7 robots that are unlocked and stored in your Robot Locker as you progress through the rooms, each with its own unique attributes: Lamplighter, Photon, Flash, Lazer, Bubba, Scanner and Flare. Photon for example is a short range unit with a light shotgun who likes tea (kidding about the tea part). Then there’s Lamplighter who is the robot nurse if you will, just without the long legs (not kidding about the long legs). Each unit has varying degrees of range, power, health and speed. One of the neat additions in Wind Up Robots is the Store. Ever wanted to play dress up with a robot? Me neither. But the Store actually makes it fun, and it’s also here where you can customize your robotic force. As you complete stages, coins and gears are earned that can be applied to building up your mechanical friends. For those who are impatient, there’s also IAP if you want to buy additional coins or gears. Besides the usual upgrades, the Store offers a wide array of costumes—think Robotic Salvation Army—where you can deck your little guy in everything from antlers and hats to pipes and gun holsters. Wind Up Robots has two game modes: Story and Quick Play. Story makes up the core of the game with 28 levels that take place in various rooms in a house such as Zach’s bedroom, the backyard, and even the treehouse. As you complete levels, they unlock for access in Quick Play. With the neat stuff packed into the game, it wouldn’t be anything without decent gameplay. Gameplay is definitely not a weakness when it comes to Wind Up Robots. The monsters are varied ranging from T-Rexes and pterodactyls to rhinos and Frankensteins so you do get a good mix of them. There’s even a cow so hopefully you’re not allergic to dairy. Robots have health bars so you’ll see exactly how they’re faring, and once they start breaking down, so do their powers. It’s downright fun and engaging, and it certainly doesn’t lack in the challenge department. The game begins when you select your robots and items/tools from the Robot Locker each of which is stored in a toy chest. From there, you simply tap to select a robot and tap in the location you want him to go with which he slowly waddles over. You’ll want to think fast because you won’t even have 5 seconds to think because the game begins quickly. As monsters are dispatched, coins are earned which you collect by tapping. Of course, there are more than enough obstacles that impact your robotic deployment whether they be books on the bed or columns in the attic. Don’t forget to check out your Trophy Room since this is where your enemy kills are mounted. It’s a nice yet eerie touch. The touch controls are responsive, but the one area where people may have problems will be in selecting and directing robots. Even on my iPad, the units can be small on the screen, and on occasion I would select the wrong robot. Getting them to the right location can be a little imprecise as well because of the way the screen is set up. Also, because collecting coins requires you to tap on them, I sometimes found myself tapping robots and inadvertently moving them. Still, you can change the perspective and angle by dragging around the screen, and you can pinch zoom in/out. Another area that is lacking is the tutorial. Although it teaches you the basics of placement and general directions, it doesn’t provide much guidance in terms of using various items or powerups outside of a brief description. So many times, you’re left to experiment which I don’t have to tell you is always a dangerous thing. Wind Up Robots may not get the recognition or buzz, but it certainly deserves it. The name may deceive you, but this is a fun and challenging game that delivers lots of content and even more entertainment. Even if you don’t buy the game because of my review, buy it because it has robots. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*