title image

Arknights

Passion Never Fails

Ratings

Age

13+

Category

Strategy

Languages

English

Arknights is a stylized tower defense RPG that combines tactical depth with hero collection. As a member of Rhodes Island, a pharmaceutical company fighting a deadly infection, you must deploy a wide variety of operators to protect against waves of enemies. Each operator has unique skills and classes—from snipers and casters to defenders and medics. Build your base, train your team, and survive the challenges of a world in chaos.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

93/100

Arknights is the gold standard for how to combine deep tactical gameplay with 'Gacha' collection. It’s a tower defense game at heart, but the complexity of the 'operators' and the lane-based map design makes it feel more like a strategic puzzle. Unlike many other mobile games, you can't just power-level your way through; if your placement and timing are off, even the strongest units will fail.

The 'Arknights' world-building is incredibly dense and moody, featuring a high-quality soundtrack and a distinct 'tech-wear' aesthetic that sets it apart. The developer is also very fair with the free-to-play experience—many of the most vital operators are low-rarity units that are easy to acquire. It’s a game that respects your intelligence and rewards deep engagement with its systems. It's easily one of the best strategy games on the platform.

Dinsun reviewed on: Thu Feb 26 2026

Features

1

Unique blend of RPG and Tower Defense

2

Hundreds of unique operators to collect and train

3

Sophisticated auto-deploy system for farming

4

Deep, immersive lore and world-building

Upcoming Events

RETRACING OUR STEPS NOW OPEN
RETRACING OUR STEPS NOW OPEN
New Side Story Retracing Our Steps Now Open
Tue Apr 14 2026 - Tue May 05 2026
ICEBREAKER GAMES #2
ICEBREAKER GAMES #2
Rhodes Island Champs, Together We Fight!
Wed Apr 01 2026 - Wed Apr 22 2026

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

screenshot 0screenshot 1screenshot 2screenshot 3screenshot 4screenshot 5screenshot 6screenshot 7screenshot 8screenshot 9

Q&A

Yes, many players complete the hardest content using 'low-rarity' operators. The game provides plenty of free resources through daily and weekly missions.

Ratings & Reviews

Best mobile phone game ever
Wed Aug 05 2020 e h 7

This is the first time I’ve ever left a review for a game. It’s that good. There’s a lot of strategy and even some chance involved when trying to obtain rare/high star characters that happens outside of the actual tower defense part of the game. The waves are all different in every level and require different strategies and team compositions. The levels start out pretty easy to help you learn the game but progressively become more challenging. There is a story component too, but the developers give you the option to skip it. You run out of “sanity” after playing a bunch of levels and you have to wait for your sanity to regenerate or else spend resources to increase it. This means you can’t play all day...which is a good thing because the game is addicting! You can also interact with friends in the game although you can’t directly play or chat with them. There’s a store where you can exchange items earned in the game for other items you might need. The game is generous with rewards for game play, especially at first, but it’s still challenging to earn resources. Special events occur periodically that make limited edition characters available or provide extra rewards. You also have a base that you can build, level up, decorate, etc. This game literally has everything AND IT’S FREE. (The game does let you make in-app purchases to help with leveling up your characters and your base but it’s not necessary to play the game.) The only potential downside to this game is that you need WiFi or data connection to play.

Super good game! One small problem.
Fri Mar 27 2020 Roobomb

Ok so I want to start off with wow this game is good. I found it when I got bored and I was trying out tons of games to see if I liked any. This game was one of the only games I actually enjoyed and kept on my phone. At first I thought it was one of those dumb games that advertises “cute anime fighter girls” and that was gonna be 100% of the game, and when I saw the fallout shelter-like ad for it I thought it was another game that was false advertising. I was actually pleasantly surprised though, the game has a lot of fun elements, like how you really have to pay attention to how your team is built, and how every character has different elements. Something else it does super well is how it isn’t destroyed and made super easy by how you can get high level operators at a very low level. Okay last thing, but it also does have that fallout shelter like play but it doesn’t have that “you have to constantly play or everything goes horribly wrong” problem. Amazing game, for real good job. Okay now for the problem, honestly it’s pretty small but it’s pretty annoying, whenever I recruit operators I like going for 7 hours and 40 minutes to try and get the 3-5 star operators. Maybe I just have incredibly bad luck but I’ve gotten 3 starts every time I’ve done this, even the few times I could’ve gotten a 2 star. This has happened like 12~ times now and I wanna make sure that it’s not a legit problem. Besides that annihilation doesn’t have the n at the end when you play an actual match lol. Thanks for the amazing game!

Love the game, but I do wish it had more events and opportunities.
Sun Jul 05 2020 Redjackal4

Well I’ve been play Arknights for about a week now and I’m sadly hooked on this tower defense/Tactical group deployment strategy game. Sadly though I do have a few problems starting off with the rate of six star drops to let’s say five star, four star, and three star drops six star and five star of course are supposed to be exceedingly rare and difficult to get, but once you hit what is now mid game, but their are very few ways to get them at this point because you will eventually hit a roadblock and sadly the only quickest way of purchasing them is from the orichalum store and unless you are rich or very foolish buying these will not guarantee you good units so you will most . There is of course weekly annihilation which will allow you to get a whopping 1200 orichalum, but once you hit that limit you are done for the week and their is very little incentive to continue. So eventually the Orichalum will become a measly daily trickle of 100 via daily drops and to get a drop of 10 characters with the higher chance of you getting a six or five star you will need 6000 orichalum or 3000 if it’s a special event. This is all a real shame because the story is really quite interesting and all units especially the 5 and 6 star units are incredibly unique and can totally change how you play your game hopefully later on the game will figure out a good way to balance all this out, but right now it’s still a really good game.

Good F2P game
Sun Aug 30 2020 sharkkiller1224

Arknight is a chill defense tower game where you place your units on the field to defend many wave of enemy coming to your way from air and ground. The procession will take some time to level up your character and unlocking news skill that help along your way of tactically attack an enemy that is a threat to your defense. The content in the game doesn’t require 6 stars units with broken skill effect passive that the enemy attack and health a joke to defeat. Majority of the time all the content can easily be beaten with 3-4 star units which require lot of strategic thinking and trial of error. The currency of the game can be easily grind every week and sometime you don’t notice how many currency you have over the past months. Arknight is really F2P friendly and the game is balanced for whale and F2P at their own pace. Arknight is the game where you can be at your pace grinding for materials and currency for your recruitment pull and units/skill level up. The fun you get from Arknight is the satisfaction of level your unit/skill to max potential and using it at a stage where you need to process to the next stage level or enjoying having a good units you can use in your squad. Also alway remember that Arknight is only fun if you put the time and effort in the game where you feel you making progress either your units or a stage level.

F2P
Thu Mar 26 2020 fjfjci

As a f2p I can honestly say that the game is great! Sure I have have to work harder and spend more time because I got no money so I have to be smart and calculate in ma little brain when my sanity will be at max but even with this ‘setback’ I still beat all of the chapters completely (hard mode too). I even E2 my Silverash and have all of my other characters E1 (the ones I use which are a lot since I like variety). I may not have a lot of six stars but I don’t need those to play the game with ease although it does become challenging sometimes but that’s what makes it fun and exiting! And on top of that, the creators bless us with constant updates. The community is also great, I mean they all help you and teach you tricks/strads that you can use. It’s just amazing. One more thing! I started around maybe January? and I only really started to get serious around late February (REAL serious) and in less than maybe two months, I farmed like crazy and now here I am beating the game. I’m not saying that I didn’t get stuck cause if they would have made the game that easy, many wouldn’t play it anymore because that would be boring. Heck even those with all six stars struggle as it’s not only the characters that you use that matter but also what/where you’re fighting/placing. I know that I won’t get all the characters like Tectone but I still enjoy the game soo much and it’s a shame that some just want only six stars and don’t see that this game has so much variety that you don’t even need to own a six star to beat the whole game. Plus the chances of getting a six star are actually pretty high and you don’t have to E2 them.

Reasons why I play Arknights
Sun May 15 2022 Ultrashadow 63

Ok, so let’s get the good things out of the way: amazing OST featuring songs from almost any genre, the game makes you think about how to overcome challenges, the game is completely free to play, as you can beat the ENTIRE game with 3 stars, you can even beat the entire game without leveling up a single unit (CN community managed to pull this off but the ch8 boss took 5 hours because again, unleveled units), the game gives you a ton of pull currency, and lastly, the game has great lore that will keep you reading. This story will tug at your heart strings one way or another. As for the negatives, the only one I have is that older units that came out near release are kinda bland, such as skadi whom’s skills only give her stat boosts. Luckily, modules fix this issue somewhat, but I believe older units should be reworked to have unique kits. Overall, I recommend giving this game a try. The story is a little boring at first, but trust me, it will ramp up in later chapters to the point where you start questioning what is wrong with the game’s world. Also, you gacha rates are pretty good, since you get a ton of pull currency every week. The character designs are great, especially the recent ones. I can guarantee there will be at least 1 character design you may like, or even love.

This game is just too good
Sat May 04 2024 Chiu-Kun

Arknights is problobly my favorite game there is, and if you think about it, it just might be the best anime game there is. Although they don’t really talk about how there’s a whole anime. When I found out there was an anime I went crazy, at first I thought “Omg this is amazing, I hope I see some people from my party” But then I was like “Omg HOW DID I NOT KNOW!? I mean I’ve been playing this game for 2 years!?” Anyway this game is really good it’s pretty chill, if you haven’t already read the other comments which tell you the same thing, this game takes strategy and intelligence, and even when I lose, I feel like my IQ literally grows. I’m not joking I learn from my mistakes and I don’t even feel stupid for not immediately beating the level as there are 1000’s of possibilities for everyone. This game is not pay to win people, you may buy skins for your characters and buy currency to get characters but it takes actual brain power to use them, and don’t worry all you academically challenged people, this game starts off pretty easy. So all you have to do is slowly process the information it’s giving you. This game and the anime just make me happy and I’m sure it’ll make you happy to. If it doesn’t your criminally insane, and need serious help.

Great game just to much bad luck and grind for me
Mon Jan 27 2020 CannibalBunnies

Love good strategy games that aren’t about paywalls or having 1 or 2 amazing units and you win. A lot of times when you lose you can see clearly where you went wrong or realize you are just too low level to be there and the game clearly has side areas to grind all things you need. The base adds another level to the game if you get to tired of thinking or grinding. Cool designs on even low star characters and a lot of neat add-ons to more than just the battle system keeps thing interesting and fun (recruitment system having secret and rare summon combinations, store having cheap unlockable units). My only complaints is that I found myself grinding on day 1. Between leveling new characters and not horrible but quickly rising recommended level for each new stage mats and other materials were needed even in chapter 1. Now on chapter 3 I’ve grinded every day since release and sometimes it’s very long auto battles. Second is drop rates of high-end units. Banners guarantee at least a 5 star (6 being the highest) in the first ten pulls and out of the 3 different banners since release I’ve summoned a little over 70 times (a lot for a free to play game but) the first two proved low tier 5 stars and the third gave me a very situational 6 star twice (as in its really good for a very small portion of the game otherwise it’s meh). I’m sure there’s plenty of stories of dudes multi-pulling amazing 6 stars easily but between pretty much using the same units I received day one and the constant grind I probably won’t be playing much longer although other than that I definitely recommend.

Some Youtube Videos found!

News found!

Arknights developer Yostar expands with second team, intent on creating new IPArknights developer Yostar expands with second team, intent on creating new IP

Arknights-developer Yostar are expanding their studio with a second team that is looking to develop a brand new IP for mobile.

Pocket Gamer Fri Mar 28 2025

Arknights: Rise From Ember Releases Teaser Trailer! | Anime NewsArknights: Rise From Ember Releases Teaser Trailer! | Anime News

Yostar has released a teaser PV for the TV anime Arknights: Rise from Ember which is now in production!

Tokyo Otaku Mode Wed May 28 2025

Arknights KFC Event Begins This WeekArknights KFC Event Begins This Week

Hypergryph announced an Arknights collaboration meal will be available for a limited time at KFC in Japan.

Siliconera Sat Dec 28 2024

Arknights: Rise from Ember TV Anime AnnouncedArknights: Rise from Ember TV Anime Announced

Yostar reveals teaser, key visual, official website.

Anime News Network Thu Nov 28 2024

Yostar Games Anime Expo 2023 Lineup Includes Arknights, Azur Lane, Mahjong Soul, and Aether GazerYostar Games Anime Expo 2023 Lineup Includes Arknights, Azur Lane, Mahjong Soul, and Aether Gazer

The Yostar Games official booth at Anime Expo 2023 will feature every things about Arknights, Azur Lane, Mahjong Soul, and the newly...

QooApp Sun Jan 28 2024

WWF partners with Arknights for a special event to raise awareness for iconic species under thrWWF partners with Arknights for a special event to raise awareness for iconic species under thr

Following Yostar's Azur Lane successful cooperation with WWF, we are glad to announce that Arknights is pledging support to WWF's...

Panda.org Tue Dec 28 2021

YoStar Launches Arknights Prelude to Dawn Season 1 Anime's WebsiteYoStar Launches Arknights Prelude to Dawn Season 1 Anime's Website

Chinese game developer YoStar held its 2nd Anniversary Event livestream on YouTube for hit mobile game Arknights, titled Dossoles Holiday earlier today in...

Crunchyroll Sun Aug 28 2022

Arknights Retrospective: The Good, The Bad, and The FutureArknights Retrospective: The Good, The Bad, and The Future

I wasn't interested in Arknights. When my brother showed it to me I took a quick look, and said “this is just Bloons tower defense but...

QooApp Sat Jan 28 2023

Arknights Launches What the Firelights Casts Event on July 13Arknights Launches What the Firelights Casts Event on July 13

Arknights is bringing the heat when it launches the What the Firelights Casts event on July 13, bringing another limited story event, new operators, stages,...

QooApp Wed Feb 28 2024

Arknights Kicks Off 2022 Thank-You Celebration with New Side Story "Near Light"Arknights Kicks Off 2022 Thank-You Celebration with New Side Story "Near Light"

Yostar's Arknights strategic mobile RPG launched its 2022 Thank-You Celebration with a brand new side story event “Near Light” on April 28.

QooApp Mon Nov 28 2022

You may also like