9 Kings

About

9 Kings is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Sad Socket and was released on May 23, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. Build your city into the most powerful of all kingdoms through endless combinations of buildings, units, spells, and positioning. Take advantage of chaotic combos and powerful perks to break the game and become overp…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,364 reviews

gameplay354 positive mentions

grinding72 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay loop with a variety of strategies and synergies to explore.
Frequent updates from developers that add new content and balance improvements.
Unique playstyles for each of the 9 kings, making each run feel fresh and different.

Difficulty spikes can feel unbalanced, especially at higher levels, leading to frustrating RNG moments.
Some cards and kings are significantly stronger than others, creating a lack of viable strategies.
The game can become repetitive after a while, with limited depth in gameplay mechanics.

gameplay
790 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
51%
4%
The gameplay of "9 Kings" is characterized by a highly addictive loop that combines elements of tower defense, deck-building, and roguelike mechanics, offering a satisfying experience with a variety of strategies and synergies. While many players appreciate the simplicity and charm of the mechanics, some express concerns about a lack of depth and balance, particularly at higher difficulties, leading to repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging core loop and frequent updates, though players hope for more content and clearer mechanics as it continues to develop.
- “The base gameplay itself is good, but in my opinion, the quest mode is genius!”
- “Insanely addicting gameplay loop; seeing your little troops go absolutely nuts on enemies is incredibly satisfying and gratifying.”
- “The gameplay loop is fast, addictive, and packed with wild build potential.”
- “There's a slight focus in building one tile/troop/defense to be the god-like uber troop - but it's a lot of fun - I did manage to break the game by using some ungodly mechanics that involved slimes and the unify spell - this meant I had something like 300,000 troops on the screen and this caused everything to slow down somewhat (so worth it though!).”
- “The gameplay loop seems repetitive at first glance - and it definitely is.”
- “The gameplay is boring and the tile management aspect can be frustrating due to lack of space to work with.”
replayability
285 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the variety of characters, strategies, and mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh. While some reviews note that the game could benefit from additional content and balancing to enhance long-term replay value, the frequent updates and unique playstyles of the different kings contribute to a compelling experience that encourages experimentation and repeated play. Many players find themselves drawn back for "just one more run," highlighting the game's addictive nature and engaging gameplay loop.
- “Incredibly replayable game with tons of win conditions, easy to learn but hard to master as you amp up the difficulty.”
- “The different perks and random events give 9 kings a lot of replayability, and the devs keep updating the game and adding new challenges and modes, like the new quest mode.”
- “Countless possible combinations of strategies make for an incredible amount of replay value.”
- “A classic roguelite – a few characters, a few class cards, a few maps, and a million modifiers that create the illusion of replayability.”
- “The developer, of course, skimps on production costs by using the roguelite approach and faking replayability.”
- “Unfortunately, the game lacks depth and replayability.”
story
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
65%
8%
The game lacks a traditional narrative, with many reviews noting that it has "no story" or "non-existent" storytelling elements. However, the recently introduced quest mode adds a layer of challenge and variety, allowing players to engage in unique scenarios that enhance gameplay without a structured narrative. While some players appreciate the emergent storytelling that arises from gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the game focuses more on mechanics and replayability than on delivering a deep story.
- “The new quest mode offers difficulty and challenges instead of repeating builds that work, forcing you to adapt the strategy while normal runs are about reducing RNG as possible; this mode embraces it.”
- “The addition of the quest mode really completes the experience.”
- “The quest mode is simple and substantial; a large collection of challenges that each change the game up in their own way.”
- “☑ no story”
- “Story and narrative: non-existent”
- “There's no story, this game is just pure gameplay.”
graphics
240 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many players appreciating the charming pixel art style and its nostalgic appeal, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. However, some users find the graphics simplistic or lacking in detail, leading to occasional confusion during gameplay. Overall, while the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they effectively support the game's mechanics and thematic elements, contributing to its addictive nature.
- “The graphics are awesome, totally fits the style.”
- “The visuals and sound effects are clean and well-polished, and have a charm that enhances the game in a way that can't be put into words.”
- “The pixel art graphics will fool you!”
- “Unfortunately, I found the sound effects, soundtrack, and overall graphics to be not very engaging.”
- “I passed on this game on first glance because it looks ultra simplistic and graphically meh.”
- “First the bad: actual board games have better graphics than this game.”
optimization
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
73%
13%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios and endless mode, where lag and crashes are common. While recent patches have improved stability and performance, especially during large battles, there is still a consensus that further optimization is necessary to enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the developers' commitment to addressing these issues, but many express a desire for more immediate improvements to ensure smoother gameplay.
- “For a game in early access, the level of polish and optimization here blows plenty of finished games out of the water.”
- “The developers at Sad Socket are active, rolling out balance patches and bug fixes, like the recent patch #08 optimizing late-game performance.”
- “Great to see the devs are constantly improving performance and giving gameplay balance along with it.”
- “The enemies will outscale you by year 10 unless you're very lucky or make textbook optimization choices.”
- “Unfortunately, the developers keep doing bug fixes and optimization enhancements that have nullified 3 of these victory methods.”
- “The only big negative for me at the moment is the performance after year 60 or so.”
grinding
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment to unlock perks and progress. While some enjoy the grind as a means to explore the game's mechanics and achieve higher levels, others feel it detracts from the overall fun, making the experience feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. Overall, players recommend the game for those who appreciate grind-heavy gameplay, but caution that it may not appeal to everyone due to its repetitive nature.
- “To be quite frank, I found 9 kings incredibly tedious and repetitive despite the appealing premise.”
- “This game had an interesting concept; however, it requires way too much grinding in boring runs just to unlock new content, which gets boring pretty fast.”
- “The harder difficulties are essentially closed off to you until you progress to a certain level, so it's a lot of grinding until you reach a certain threshold.”
music
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its charm and ability to enhance the atmosphere, while others find it repetitive or lacking variety. Some users enjoy the soundtrack's pleasantness and its fit within the game's art style, but note that sound effects can be overwhelming or poorly balanced. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience for some, others feel it could benefit from more diversity and refinement.
- “I usually turn off music in games, but this one was great; I didn't have to turn it off - it wasn't obnoxious to keep for many hours, much pleasant.”
- “The music, visuals, sound effects, and the overall style of the game are fantastic, no complaints there.”
- “The soundtrack is understated, providing a subtle medieval ambiance without overstaying its welcome.”
- “There is also only 1 music track and the sounds of dying soldiers will be seared into your brain.”
- “Unfortunately, I found the sound effects, soundtrack, and overall graphics to be not very engaging.”
- “Awful sound design where you have these ear screeching rats that have a squeak 20db higher than every other sound effect, boring music, and you have to grind for tens of hours to get any depth beyond a 2010 flash game.”
stability
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
2%
90%
The game is generally enjoyable but suffers from numerous bugs and stability issues, particularly during longer play sessions, which can lead to crashes and freezes. While many players appreciate the fun gameplay, they note that the experience can be marred by graphical glitches and unbalanced mechanics, especially in its current early access state. Developers are actively working on improvements, but players should be prepared for a bumpy experience.
- “My playtime is entirely on the Steam Deck; it runs great and is easy to hop in and out of.”
- “I have experienced no glitches or bugs in my short time of playing, and I will continue to play.”
- “Surprisingly bug-free for an early access game.”
- “Unfortunately, the king of time patch(es) are so buggy, it didn't feel like they tested it properly.”
- “It constantly crashes and freezes.”
- “At this point, the number of damage is so large that the game freezes for a few seconds until the battle resolves.”
humor
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying its quirky mechanics, funny character interactions, and absurd strategies that lead to hilarious outcomes. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to provide comedic moments through unexpected synergies and chaotic gameplay, making it a source of entertainment and laughter. Overall, the game's lighthearted approach and amusing elements contribute significantly to its replayability and enjoyment.
- “It's fun to watch the little dudes fight, and there are a lot of funny synergies for you to try out.”
- “The game is hilarious in a no-holding-back approach to how all the different cards work together and result in some ridiculous results.”
- “Abolutely loving the gameplay so far, I thought it was gonna lose its replayability very quickly but no, the game's stupid fun and finding new strats is amazing, there's also a lot of funny interactions like infinite lab rats and shamans making things get huge lol.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a relaxing and chill vibe, enhanced by music and sound effects that, while occasionally annoying, contribute to the overall experience. Players appreciate the innovative gameplay wrapped in a satisfying and immersive world, combining elements of deep lore, deck building, and city building, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a unique and atmospheric gaming experience.
- “The visuals and sounds work well together and create an enjoyable atmosphere when placing cards, and when tiles trigger each other.”
- “Highly recommended for fans of deep lore, atmospheric worlds, and games that dare to be different.”
- “The music and sound effects, though sometimes annoying (looking at you, damage/death sounds), help solidify the atmosphere the game presents. This is a game you lean back in your chair and play on a calm Sunday afternoon.”
- “9kings delivers an innovative and refreshing gameplay experience wrapped in a relaxing, chill atmosphere.”
- “Laid back gameplay and relaxed overall atmosphere.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization model of this indie game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, contrasting sharply with recent trends in game development that often frustrate players. Instead, it offers a fun and engaging experience with a diverse perk system that enhances gameplay without the pitfalls of monetization schemes.
- “If you hate the direction game development is going in recently with microtransactions, broken promises, and utter disdain for players, or if you just want to play a super fun roguelite tower defense game that just keeps getting better, you've come to the right place!”
- “Made in the style of a mobile game without microtransactions”
- “If you hate the direction game development is going in recently with the microtransactions, broken promises, and utter disdain for players, you've come to the right place!”
- “Made in the style of a mobile game without microtransactions.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional journey, likening it to the highs and lows of solo-queuing ranked, where initial confidence can quickly turn to frustration. The developers' responsiveness to feedback enhances the experience, making players feel valued and engaged, contributing to an overall sense of empowerment and satisfaction.
- “This game has the exact same emotional arc as solo-queuing ranked: you start confident, and you end up whispering 'why would you do this to me' at a piece of cardboard.”
- “Made me feel like a king. 10/10”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its expressive pixel art style and cohesive design themes that enhance visual storytelling. Players appreciate the unique character designs and the integration of automated battles with strategic elements, reminiscent of deck-building and board games, which adds depth to the overall experience.
- “The pixel art style is reminiscent of Risk of Rain, with surprisingly expressive character design and visual storytelling.”
- “The 'art' card UI is unified to each king's character design themes and is satisfying (think Death Must Die, but with a more minimalist, pixel-driven flair).”
- “Deadlock features cool character design, and the battles are automated and based on the buildings in your city, channeling that while adding deck-building board game elements.”