What is Hillforts?
Forget the usual fantasy tropes and get into the trenches with Hillforts. It's a medieval card-based autobattler where you don't just fight for survival—you build a massive army specifically to tear down an enemy's castle walls.
Gameplay
You're not just fighting in a vacuum here; you're building an army to siege an enemy castle. The loop is tight: you draft units, research techs, and upgrade your squad to break through fortifications. If you've played Hearthstone Battlegrounds, the card-drafting will feel familiar, but the goal is all about the siege. You've got over 30 civilizations with unique bonuses and over 120 units to play with, so it's less about the 'meta' and more about how your tech tree synergizes with your civ.
Runs are quick, usually 10-20 minutes, which keeps the 'just one more' vibe going without eating your whole night. However, you've gotta be okay with the price tag. At $7.99, it's a paid entry in a genre that's usually free-to-play. It's a fair price for the variety, but it's a hurdle if you're used to free autobattlers.
Just a heads up: it's rough. It's basically a prototype and it shows. You'll notice missing polish and a lack of visual flair. It's not the prettiest game you'll play, but the core strategy mechanics are solid enough that the lack of shine doesn't ruin the experience. It's an experimental project that focuses on whether you can knock down a wall rather than delivering a AAA spectacle.
Key Features
- Over 120 unique units
- 30+ civilizations with bonuses
- Medieval castle siege focus
- Fast 10-20 minute runs
What Players Say
Most players are loving the variety in builds and the way the developer added fresh touches to the mechanics. Some who played the demo for 35 hours are thrilled with the full release and the new unlock methods, calling it a 'pretty damn fun roguelike deck building game'. However, it's not all praise. One player warned that 'features are broken on launch', specifically pointing out the Reset Profile and Unlock All buttons, and felt the balance shifted poorly from the demo to the full version.
Video Review
Screenshots
Verdict
“Features are broken on launch (Unlock All/Reset Profile buttons) and the game has transitioned from something that felt relatively balanced and needed a little AI improvement (demo) to an achievement …”
“Been here since the demo, like 35 hours of demo playing and I absolutely love the full release. The civs and unlock methods was something I've been looking forward to since the dev teased it on disco…”
“The mechanics are easy to get into, but the developer has added enough of their own little touches to keep the game feeling fresh. I loved how you're able to experiment with different tactics and unlo…”
“Fun rougleike strategy game, good variety in builds and does a good job of managing build variety. Would reccomend”
“pretty damn fun roguelike deck building game that's been on my radar recently. I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention.”
My score is a 7/10. Grab this if you want a strategy-heavy autobattler and don't mind a prototype feel. Skip it if you can't stand bugs or want a polished, high-budget visual experience.
View on Steam →* Price at time of publication (checked 23.07.2026). Prices may vary by region and are subject to change. This is an editorial review, not a commercial offer.