Summary

Release Year: 2015
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Strategy
Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Licorice, Noio
Publishers: Raw Fury Games

Kingdom: Classic (2015)

Kingdom: Classic is a 2D side-scrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic. The game was developed by Thomas van den Berg and released on Windows, Mac, and Linux in 2015.

In Kingdom, the player takes on the role of a monarch who must build and defend their kingdom from a variety of threats, including bandits, animals, and the undead. The game is played in real time, and the player must constantly make decisions about how to allocate their resources and defend their kingdom.

One of the most unique aspects of Kingdom is its minimalist design. The game’s world is rendered in a simple, pixelated art style, and the interface is kept to a minimum. This gives the game a timeless feel, and it allows the player to focus on the core gameplay mechanics.

Despite its minimalist design, Kingdom is a surprisingly deep and challenging game. The player must constantly balance their resources and make strategic decisions in order to survive. The game also features a variety of different endings, depending on the player’s choices.

Kingdom: Classic was a critical and commercial success, and it has been praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful art style, and challenging difficulty. The game has also been ported to iOS and Android devices.

Gameplay

Kingdom is played in real time, and the player must constantly make decisions about how to allocate their resources and defend their kingdom. The game’s world is divided into two main areas: the kingdom itself and the surrounding wilderness.

The kingdom is where the player’s buildings and units are located. The player must build walls, towers, and other structures to defend their kingdom from attack. The player must also recruit units to defend their kingdom. Units can be purchased from the town center, and they can be upgraded at the blacksmith.

The wilderness is where the player can gather resources and explore. The player can send units to gather wood, food, and gold. The player can also explore the wilderness to find new areas and resources.

The player’s ultimate goal in Kingdom is to survive as long as possible and to build a prosperous kingdom. The game features a variety of different endings, depending on the player’s choices.

Art style

Kingdom’s art style is one of its most distinctive features. The game’s world is rendered in a simple, pixelated art style. This gives the game a timeless feel, and it allows the player to focus on the core gameplay mechanics.

The game’s color palette is also very limited. This helps to create a sense of atmosphere and tension. The game’s world is often dark and foreboding, and the player must constantly be on the lookout for danger.

Music

Kingdom’s music is also very atmospheric. The game’s soundtrack is composed of a mix of ambient and electronic music. The music helps to create a sense of tension and urgency, and it adds to the game’s overall atmosphere.

Reception

Kingdom: Classic was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful art style, and challenging difficulty. The game has also been ported to iOS and Android devices.

Kingdom: Classic has been featured in a number of publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Kotaku. The game has also been nominated for a number of awards, including the Independent Games Festival Award for Excellence in Visual Art.

Legacy

Kingdom: Classic has had a significant impact on the indie game scene. The game’s minimalist design and challenging gameplay have inspired a number of other indie games. Kingdom: Classic is also credited with helping to popularize the pixel art aesthetic in indie games.

The game’s success has led to the development of a number of sequels and spin-offs. Kingdom: New Lands was released in 2016, and Kingdom: Two Crowns was released in 2018. Kingdom: Classic remains a popular game today, and it is still considered to be one of the best indie games of all time.

Conclusion

Kingdom: Classic is a beautiful and challenging strategy/resource management game that will keep you hooked for hours. The game’s minimalist design, beautiful art style, and challenging difficulty make it a must-play for fans of the genre.