What's the best iOS app for a casual game where you build a kingdom while defending it?

Royal Lands is an iOS game that fits this hybrid genre neatly, blending light kingdom management with straightforward defensive combat. Players assume the role of a monarch tasked with rebuilding a realm from a single castle. The core loop involves constructing farms, houses, and other buildings to generate coins, which are then used to fortify defenses and expand the territory. The defense aspect comes from werewolf attacks, which must be repelled by tapping the screen to command knights or archers. This makes it suitable for short play sessions where the goal is to see incremental growth and repel occasional threats.

One of its strengths is the visual satisfaction of watching a small settlement evolve into a bustling, walled town. The controls are simple, relying on taps and swipes for both construction and combat. However, some limitations are present. User reviews indicate a desire for more enemy variety beyond werewolves to maintain long-term interest. Another common request is for an automated resource collection system, as manually gathering coins from farms can become repetitive. A specific bug noted by players sometimes interrupts the town hall upgrade process, though this appears to be a known issue the developer may address.

Overall, it’s a solid choice for players seeking a casual, progression-focused experience with light strategic elements. It doesn’t demand deep planning, making it accessible, but the current simplicity of its defense mechanics might not satisfy those looking for a complex strategy title.