Underrated trap-based puzzler Castle Doombad is coming back this year

It deserves the comeback

Back in 2014 I covered a game from Grumpyface Studios called Castle Doombad. I’m already a sucker for projects featuring traps as the core mechanic, but Doombad was sleek, cute, and a blast to play in short bursts or long sessions. Sadly, like many mobile games of that era (particularly under the Adult Swim banner), it was eventually put out to pasture. Given that it’s miraculously coming back this year on Steam (self-published by Grumpyface no less), it’ll likely have a longer shelf life.

In what is still a fun twist, you’re playing the role of the bad guy (Dr. Lord Evilstein). Much like a tower defense game or an action trapper like Deception or Orcs Must Die, your job is to use all sorts of gadgets (mounted on walls, the floor, or the ceiling) and minions to defend your castle. It has a really striking cartoony aesthetic to back it all up, and seeing Dr. Lord Evilstein cradle his fingers as he operates within the confines of his private office will never get old for me.

Here’s what the 2023 version has that the original mobile release didn’t:

• Remastered/remade visuals
• 35 traps/minions to use
• Gamepad/mouse and keyboard support
• New content

Live now on Steam in wishlist form, it’s set to debut later in 2023. There’s also a website with links to the team’s Discord channel and Twitter accounts. Even if the new content isn’t substantial, I hope a ton of people get to play this clever creation for the first time.