Kingdom is a minimalist strategy and resource management video game series developed by Noio (Thomas van den Berg) and Licorice (Marco Bancale). The core gameplay loop centers around building and defending a kingdom from nocturnal creatures known as the Greed. Players control a monarch who traverses a 2D side-scrolling environment, recruiting subjects, allocating resources, and constructing fortifications to survive increasingly challenging waves of attacks.
The series is notable for its distinctive pixel art style, atmospheric soundtrack, and emergent gameplay. Players are given limited direct control, encouraging experimentation and strategic decision-making. Failure to manage resources, defend the kingdom effectively, or maintain the morale of the populace can lead to its downfall.
Key Elements:
- Monarch: The player character, responsible for recruiting, building, and defending the kingdom. Loss of the crown results in game over.
- Greed: The primary antagonists, who attack the kingdom nightly, seeking to steal the crown. They evolve into more powerful forms as the game progresses.
- Resources: Gold is the primary currency, used for recruitment, construction, and upgrading defenses. Other resources, like tools and weapons, are also crucial.
- Recruitment: Homeless individuals can be recruited into roles like archers, builders, and farmers, expanding the kingdom's capabilities.
- Fortifications: Walls, towers, and traps are essential for defending against the Greed. Upgrading these structures increases their effectiveness.
- Environment: The game world features diverse biomes and environmental factors that can impact gameplay.
- Progression: Surviving longer allows players to unlock new technologies, recruit more specialized units, and expand their kingdom's territory.
Games in the Series:
The Kingdom series includes several titles, each building upon the core gameplay mechanics with new features and challenges:
- Kingdom: Classic (2015): The original title, establishing the core gameplay loop.
- Kingdom: New Lands (2016): An expansion of Kingdom: Classic, introducing new lands, mounts, and challenges.
- Kingdom Two Crowns (2018): A standalone sequel that features a cooperative multiplayer mode and introduces new kingdoms with unique themes.
- Kingdom Eighties (2023): A standalone title featuring a new storyline and setting in the 1980s.
The Kingdom series has been praised for its innovative gameplay, atmospheric presentation, and challenging difficulty. It has spawned a dedicated fanbase and is often cited as an example of successful indie game development.