Last updated: March 12, 2026
Why Gnomes Is Trending Right Now
Gnomes sits at 104 peak players with a flat +0% trend, but its 96% positive rating (1,258 reviews) keeps it on the radar for indie strategy fans. Released 340 days ago, it's proven staying power as a $4.99 roguelike tower defense that builds a dedicated core audience despite modest visibility.
Unlike bloated tower defense games, Gnomes merges terrain crafting, farming, and turn-based combat into one cohesive experience. It targets roguelike enthusiasts and strategy players who value depth over flash, with procedurally-generated biomes and daily ranked maps adding competitive replay value.
Key Stats
Trending in the Steam Roguelike category with 104 concurrent players and +281/wk followers gained this week.
What the Community Is Saying
Players are hooked on the addictive gameplay loop, stellar soundtrack, and insane $4.99 value. Universal complaint: endgame requires grinding 10,000+ cactuses with punishing difficulty just to reach 100%.
Pretty fun game but do not expect to 100% it. Very sweaty endgame. Going cross-eyed from planting 10,000 cactuses and then still not beating the level is what it looks like.
The gameplay is soo addicting. However what grips me the most, is the soundtrack. Big props to the composer, I can't explain just how magical and fitting it is. Great tower defense game all around! you can landscape the map to turn it into your ideal battleground. It's totally worth it for the price, especially if it's on sale! for 5 bucks? that's seriously such a steal.
No roguelite elements and not enough tower defense elements. However, the gameplay is very addictive, the graphics are cutely minimalistic, and it's honestly a blast to try and figure out each map. The price is spot on for the game and a joy to play through.
9.5/10, the "worst" thing about the game is the visuals, and those aren't the most important thing in TD games. Nicely challenging with difficult but achievable achievements. And daily ranked maps—what more could you want?
Charming and addictive tower defense game. Devs keep putting out updates for it too. Seems very basic at first but it has been a 10/10 TD game for me literal no complaints besides I need to get better at it
Should You Play It? Pros & Cons
✅ Reasons to Play
- 96% positive reviews across 1,258 ratings—overwhelmingly positive consensus
- Just $4.99 for 50+ hours of content—exceptional value for indie strategy
- Addictive gameplay loop with procedural biome generation and map customization
- Praised for magical soundtrack and minimalist art that never distracts from strategy
❌ Things to Consider
- Sweaty endgame grind—100% completion requires brutal difficulty and repetitive cactus planting
- Tiny playerbase (104 peak) with zero growth trend (+0%)
- Mislabeled as roguelite; actually tower defense with roguelike progression elements
Should You Play Gnomes?
Gnomes holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 96% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 104 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a Roguelike title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
Gnomes is very affordable at $4.99 on Steam, developed by DYSTOPIAN. Fans of roguelike games who enjoy high replayability and procedural challenge will feel right at home. If you like games such as Hades, Dead Cells, or Slay the Spire, Gnomes is worth adding to your wishlist.
Should You Play Gnomes?
Gnomes holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 96% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 104 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a game title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
Gnomes is very affordable at $4.99 on Steam, developed by DYSTOPIAN. Players who enjoy the game genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find Gnomes worth checking out.
Common Questions About Gnomes
Is Gnomes worth buying in 2026?
Absolutely. At $4.99 with 96% positive reviews, Gnomes is an instant buy for tower defense and roguelike fans. Players consistently praise the addictive loop, excellent soundtrack, and incredible value—just know endgame is a grindy gauntlet.
How many players does Gnomes have?
Gnomes peaked at 104 players in the last 24 hours with a flat +0% trend. Playerbase isn't growing, but it's stable—typical for a niche indie that's built a loyal core audience.
Is Gnomes multiplayer or co-op?
Gnomes is singleplayer only. It features daily ranked maps for leaderboard competition, but no direct multiplayer or co-op modes.
How long does it take to beat Gnomes?
Main story runs roughly 20–40 hours depending on skill. Full completion is significantly longer with brutal grind—expect 50+ hours chasing every achievement. Procedurally-generated biomes ensure endless replayability.
Is it free to play?
No, Gnomes costs $104 on Steam. It is not a free-to-play game, though Steam sales occasionally offer discounts.
How many people play Gnomes?
Gnomes has reached 104 concurrent players at its 24-hour peak. Player counts fluctuate with updates, sales, and new content — check SteamDB for the latest live data.
