Item: StickWars
Rating: 84
Author: Dinsun

Our Expert Score

84/100

StickWars is a high-energy 'horde-defense' game that successfully popularized the flick-to-defend mechanic. As an expert in arcade strategy, I find the core loop to be incredibly satisfying—there is a visceral joy in flicking a tiny stickman high into the air and watching them fall. The game perfectly captures the escalating panic as the waves of enemies grow from a few scouts to a massive, screen-filling army.

The strategy lies in managing your resources; deciding when to repair your walls and when to spend your gold on 'Pit' traps or powerful mages is the key to survival. The simple, charcoal-style art is iconic and allows the game to run flawlessly even with dozens of units on screen. While the gameplay is frantic, it’s a masterclass in 'flow,' making it nearly impossible to put down until your castle finally falls. It’s an essential piece of mobile gaming history that still feels fresh and fun today.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

309527804

$0.99 13+★4.2 109 reviews

Author : John E. Hartzog

Pubish Date : Tue Mar 31 2009

Last Update Date : Mon Aug 07 2017

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.9.0Mon Aug 07 2017

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.
- 64 bit compatibility
StickWars is a fast-paced, action-packed game that requires lightning-fast fingers and cunning strategy. Defend your kingdom against the invading stick figure army.
Tap, flick, and shake your way to victory in the top castle defense game for iPhone/iPod touch.
FEATURES
- Unlimited rounds. Play until you’re defeated.
- Shake to deploy bombers, and again to detonate!
- Use multi-touch to command your wizards, casting meteors and other spells.
- Use captured stick figures to build up defense.
- Two free StickWars Ultimate Challenge games.
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 4 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (9.7‑inch), iPad Pro (9.7‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (5th generation), iPad (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5‑inch), iPad Pro (10.5‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation), iPad (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch), iPad Pro (11‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation), iPad (7th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (8th generation), iPad (8th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th generation), iPad mini (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th generation), iPad (9th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (A17 Pro) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (A16), iPad (A16) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M3), iPad Air 11-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M5), iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPod touch (6th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation).
StickWars is a fast-paced, action-packed game that requires lightning-fast fingers and cunning strategy. Defend your kingdom against the invading stick figure army.
Tap, flick, and shake your way to victory in the top castle defense game for iPhone/iPod touch.
FEATURES
- Unlimited rounds. Play until you’re defeated.
- Shake to deploy bombers, and again to detonate!
- Use multi-touch to command your wizards, casting meteors and other spells.
- Use captured stick figures to build up defense.
- Two free StickWars Ultimate Challenge games.

Ratings & Reviews

4.2 out of 5 with 109 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 13+

StickWars is a high-stakes castle defense game that puts your reflexes to the test. A massive army of stick-figures is marching toward your walls, and your finger is the only weapon that can stop them. Flick enemies into the air to defeat them, or use powerful magic and traps to thin the herd. Earn gold for every enemy defeated to upgrade your castle's health and unlock devastating special abilities. With its iconic art style and relentless difficulty, StickWars offers an intense and rewarding arcade experience that keeps you coming back for one more wave.

Features

Addictive gesture-based combat

Endless waves of escalating difficulty

Deep upgrade system for castle defense

Iconic minimalist stick-art style

Tips

Efficient Flicking

Don't just tap—flick! A high, vertical flick is more likely to result in a lethal fall for the enemy. Focus on clearing the enemies closest to your wall first to prevent them from dealing chip damage between your big swipes.

Promotion Videos

Stick Wars iPhone Gameplay Video Review - AppSpy.com - YouTube

News on this game

iTunes Rewind Highlights The Best Apps Of 2009

With Christmas looming, the post-holiday spike of app sales is just weeks away. As new iPhone owners find their way into the App Store for...

TechCrunch - Sat Jul 02 2011

StickWars 3 Comes Out Of The Wilderness And Onto Your iOS Device

The StickWars franchise has been a staple of the App Store for many years now. The original StickWars was an almost instant hit,...

AppAdvice - Sat Nov 02 2013

Gameplays

Wall Upgrades

In later rounds, the 'Spikes' and 'Wall Repair' are your best friends. Invest in spikes to automatically damage any enemy that reaches your wall, giving you more time to focus on flicking the flyers and giants.

Q&A

Giants are too heavy to flick easily. You'll need to use multiple rapid flicks to destabilize them or rely on your mages and catapults for a heavy attack.