Death Crown

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In Death Crown, players engage in real-time strategy battles in a dark, pixelated world inspired by medieval fantasy. As the evil queen of the Death Crown, command your undead army to conquer territories and defeat rival factions in fast-paced, tactical combat. With limited resources and permadeath, every decision counts in this unforgiving, minimalistic strategy game.

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Play Modes

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 266 reviews

graphics67 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a fantastic and unique art style that many players find visually appealing.
Gameplay is simple yet engaging, with a fast-paced and aggressive approach that keeps players on their toes.
The soundtrack and atmosphere enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable despite its short campaign.

The visual style can become overwhelming and difficult to interpret, especially in chaotic battle scenarios.
The campaign is relatively short, with some players feeling it lacks depth and variety in gameplay mechanics.
Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, with some levels feeling unbalanced and reliant on trial and error.

graphics
125 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and fantastic aesthetic, featuring a distinctive 1-bit art style that many find charming and engaging. However, several reviewers noted that the visuals can be overly busy and difficult to interpret during gameplay, leading to confusion on the battlefield. Overall, while the art style is a major draw, it may not suit everyone's preferences, particularly those who prefer clearer graphics for strategic gameplay.
- “The artwork is spectacularly done, all the more impressive for such low resolution.”
- “Fast paced and simple RTS with an incredible art style.”
- “I love the minimalist art style and the 3D-modeled 1-bit cutscenes, with no text to go with them, which makes the story feel more epic and enigmatic.”
- “The graphics are way too noisy; it gives me a headache.”
- “Graphical design doesn't help at all in managing your units; the map always becomes unreadable after a couple of minutes because of high contrast, density, and limited color palette.”
- “As much as I love the art style and design, the game is a bit of a strain on the eyes.”
gameplay
90 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and minimalist mechanics, which some players find engaging and fun, while others feel it lacks depth and variety. Many reviews highlight the unique art style and soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience, but note that the gameplay can become repetitive and occasionally frustrating, especially in later levels. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable challenges and a compelling aesthetic, it could benefit from more complex mechanics and variety to sustain long-term interest.
- “Incredibly compelling, with a great visual style, fantastic soundtrack, and perfect 'just one more round' gameplay.”
- “The gameplay seems simple on the surface, but it presents a unique and challenging blend of fast-paced RTS and puzzle elements.”
- “The gameplay loop is phenomenal; I've completed (what I assume) all 2-3 skull challenges and have moved onto 4 and 5.”
- “There's no balance or rock-paper-scissors mechanics, and without colors, it's worth playing the campaign only, though it's too small.”
- “The gameplay itself is worth about $2-3, not $10.”
- “Unfortunately, I think this was a case where the basic ideas for the story and the visuals were designed first, and then some generic gameplay mechanics were tacked on loosely to make it into a complete product.”
story
48 mentions
23 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimalistic and primarily conveyed through silent cutscenes, which some players find engaging while others feel it lacks depth and immersion. Although the narrative themes revolve around destruction and balance, many reviewers note that the gameplay often overshadows the story, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, while the art style and visual storytelling are praised, there is a consensus that the story could benefit from more development and clarity.
- “I love the minimalist art style and the 3D-modeled 1-bit cutscenes, with no text to go with them, which makes the story feel more epic and enigmatic.”
- “You wouldn't think a story would get you on board with what seems like an impossibly silly motivation: 'mankind has overstepped his bounds and death herself must right them;' but one look into the human king's eyes, at the impossible and horrifying magical creations that mark his kingdom, and I found myself taking death's side.”
- “The story expressed through visuals alone is perfect and engaging.”
- “The story is barebones, delivered through silent cutscenes which don't amount to much other than 'death destroys x'.”
- “There is almost no 'story' in the sense that very little is written about the setting, and yet the landscape and characters are incredibly compelling; the queen of death has the exact demeanor of a ruler intent on delivering inevitable justice; the mad human king seems utterly unhinged.”
- “What little plot there is takes itself seriously with a dark Conan the Barbarian vibe and zero dialogue.”
music
41 mentions
68 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty, uniqueness, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as addictive and perfectly suited to the game's aesthetic. Overall, the combination of compelling music and striking visuals creates a memorable and immersive experience.
- “The music is beautiful and unique.”
- “I bought the game because the art was appealing, but the music turned out to be the part I loved.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing.”
- “As the percussive soundtrack clangs with industrial indifference, it is easy to get caught up in the urgency of death’s rage.”
- “It feels both immense and comically constrained, like a doom metal music video rendered on the Apple II.”
- “The music and retro visual style are a pleasing nostalgia trip.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
63 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, enhanced by great music and sound design. Reviewers highlight the appealing art style and the relaxed vibe created by the retro design, making it enjoyable to play at any time. Overall, the combination of these elements contributes to a distinctive and engaging atmosphere that stands out in the gaming experience.
- “This game has some of the coolest atmosphere in a game I've ever seen.”
- “Great art, really nice atmosphere thanks to the music and sounds.”
- “The sound design is fantastic, with the music really adding to the atmosphere.”
replayability
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability through features like steam achievements, multiple campaigns, and an engaging skirmish mode. While some players find the replay value sufficient, others feel it may not justify the price. The combination of various modes and strategic depth contributes to its enduring appeal.
- “Endless replayability with the skirmish mode.”
- “Has multiple campaigns, and the new domination mode adds some replay value.”
- “The Steam achievements add a layer of replayability and challenge, but it is not enough to warrant the price tag.”
- “Has multiple campaigns and the new domination mode adds some replay value.”
- “It is good and there are a few options, and it keeps your interest being replayable again and again.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a drawn-out game of attrition with limited rewards. While the core gameplay and visuals are praised, the lack of engaging content during the grind detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of exhaustion.
- “It's pretty well made, at least for me it was a new combat style, though it kinda lacks fluff to make it feel fun grinding through the campaign (except an upgrade every now and then).”
- “Like the seventh seal’s knight, I want to upend the board and forgo this tedious game of attrition, and just as death dutifully reseats the chess pieces, Death Crown returns with another battle, another field to raze, again and again until I am exhausted for good.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game experiences stability issues primarily due to long loading times for the Steam leaderboards, which can cause freezing. However, there are no significant bugs, glitches, or design flaws noted.
- “I didn't give them much of a look because the game freezes until it loads the Steam leaderboards, which can take a while, and I didn't see an in-game way to disable the leaderboards.”
- “No bugs, glitches, or obvious design flaws.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as simple yet effective, contributing to an engaging experience that keeps players entertained.
- “A fascinating project that appears simple but is incredibly funny and engaging.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that keep you laughing.”
- “I love how the game uses humor to enhance the gameplay experience; it never takes itself too seriously!”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development is enhanced by an impressive visual and audio experience, complemented by a unique setting and atmospheric character design that adds depth to the characters.