For The King

A sometimes tricky RPG with gorgeous art that's perfect for co-op.

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"For The King" is a strategy, turn-based combat, and roguelike game where players work to restore order to a chaotic kingdom of Fahrul. With procedural maps, quests, and events, each playthrough is unique and can be experienced in single player or co-op . Players must put an end to the impending doom, not for riches or fame, but for the village and realm, for the King. Online features require an account and are subject to terms of service.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 15,693 reviews

gameplay549 positive mentions

grinding189 negative mentions

gameplay
1,656 mentions
33 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "For the King" is characterized by its blend of turn-based combat, strategic decision-making, and roguelike elements, offering a challenging experience that rewards careful planning and resource management. While many players appreciate the engaging mechanics and replayability, some criticize the reliance on RNG, which can lead to frustrating moments, particularly with the chaos mechanic that increases difficulty over time. Overall, the game is praised for its charming visuals and cooperative gameplay, though it suffers from a steep learning curve and poorly explained mechanics that can detract from the experience.
- “For the King is an absolute gem for fans of turn-based strategy, cooperative gameplay, and roguelike adventures.”
- “Combining charming visuals, challenging gameplay, and a procedurally generated world, it offers an endlessly replayable experience that will keep you coming back for more.”
- “The game's unique charm lies in its turn-based combat system, which combines strategic planning with a touch of luck through its dice-roll inspired mechanics.”
- “The game has criminally poor explanations for its mechanics and bad UI.”
- “The gameplay becomes pretty repetitive, and many flaws start to show after a while.”
- “The reliance on RNG (random number generation) for many of its systems can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences where progress feels more dependent on luck than on skill or strategy.”
story
1,130 mentions
17 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story in "For the King" is often described as simplistic and generic, serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point. Players note that while the overarching quest involves saving the kingdom from chaos, the narrative lacks depth and can feel repetitive across multiple playthroughs. Despite this, the game offers a variety of quests and a dynamic world, allowing for emergent storytelling through player choices and interactions, particularly in multiplayer settings.
- “I enjoy the story and how easy it is to get into.”
- “For starters, I think when you start this game the world and the story seem intriguing and make you want to beat it and try new characters as well as try the harder difficulties.”
- “Players embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind the chaos, battling sinister foes, exploring treacherous lands, and unraveling the mysteries that shroud the realm.”
- “The story is basically nonexistent, giving you a shaky reason to go after a bad guy – and that’s a good thing given the already glacial pace of any of the campaigns.”
- “The story elements often feel secondary to the gameplay and can be somewhat thin and disjointed.”
- “Players looking for a compelling or immersive story might find 'For the King' lacking in this aspect.”
graphics
988 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming low-poly art style that combines vibrant colors and whimsical designs, creating an endearing atmosphere. While some players appreciate the simplicity and nostalgic feel of the visuals, others find them overly cartoonish or lacking in detail. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their ability to enhance the gameplay experience, despite some minor technical issues and varying opinions on their aesthetic appeal.
- “The art style is endearing, with vibrant, cartoonish graphics that enhance the whimsical atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are surprisingly high quality and the game mechanics are easy to understand.”
- “Its stylized art direction pays homage to classic tabletop aesthetics while infusing the world with vibrant colors and imaginative designs.”
- “The art style is ugly.”
- “The graphics are also, to be frank, ugly.”
- “The graphics look like the game was made for my 5 year old and yet after a while it grew on me.”
replayability
581 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its procedurally generated maps, diverse character classes, and numerous unlockable items and campaigns, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique. Players appreciate the variety of gameplay modes and the challenge presented by random elements, which keep them engaged for hours. However, some reviews note that while the game is highly replayable, it can become repetitive over time, especially after unlocking all content.
- “Combining charming visuals, challenging gameplay, and a procedurally generated world, it offers an endlessly replayable experience that will keep you coming back for more.”
- “Replayability: procedurally generated maps and quests ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, offering endless replay value.”
- “The different scenarios, the combination of classes you have to pick from, the unlockable items and features, and the multiplayer capability all add to give this game a lot of replay value.”
- “Overall, this is a game plagued with many design flaws and a gameplay that can rapidly bore the players with no meaningful way of differentiation between runs and close to none replay value.”
- “The replay value is very low, while the lore store does add some reason to continue to play after just a few campaigns to gain access to more powerful items, I feel it's over-saturated with purely cosmetic items.”
- “Unfortunately, the game actually doesn't have a lot of replayability.”
humor
261 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-1 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its whimsical storytelling, hilarious ragdoll physics, and absurd character interactions that lead to memorable moments, especially when played with friends. Many reviews note that the game's randomness and quirky animations contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making it a fun experience despite its challenges. Overall, the humor serves as a significant draw, enhancing the enjoyment of both solo and cooperative gameplay.
- “The game also has silly graphics and ragdoll mechanics that are hilarious.”
- “Funny encounters and items, would recommend.”
- “The ragdoll mechanics when enemies die are hilarious.”
- “Playing solo is just fun, not funny like when you're with friends. But with friends, oh my god, it's the greatest laugh ever!”
- “The humor falls flat when playing alone; it's only in co-op that the game truly shines with laughter.”
- “While solo play can be enjoyable, it lacks the comedic element that makes co-op sessions so memorable.”
music
244 mentions
44 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its ability to create an immersive medieval fantasy atmosphere that complements the gameplay. While the soundtrack features lovely, thematic tunes that enhance the experience, some users noted that it can become repetitive over time, particularly during extended play sessions. Overall, the sound design is considered solid, contributing positively to the game's aesthetic and emotional engagement.
- “The musical score, a herald of your heroic exploits, is a melodious medley that escorts your every move with a touch of orchestral opulence.”
- “The atmospheric soundtrack of For the King sets the mood for your adventure, enhancing the sense of exploration, danger, and triumph.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly captures that old-school D&D vibe.”
- “Yes, there are boss themes, but having regular combat with no variation makes it boring really fast to the point where my friends and I started playing Darkest Dungeon music instead of listening to this.”
- “The sound and music in this game are very repetitive, and if you are like me, you will want to turn off the game sounds and music and listen to your own music after a while.”
- “The music is a bit bland and repetitive.”
grinding
206 mentions
1 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating, particularly in solo play where managing multiple characters can feel cumbersome. While some appreciate the challenge and the need for grinding to progress, others criticize the slow pace, repetitive combat, and reliance on RNG, which can lead to a feeling of wasted time. Overall, the game is seen as more enjoyable in co-op mode, where the grind can feel less burdensome, but many still find the mechanics and pacing to be a significant drawback.
- “This is good, not too grindy and always gives you something to work towards.”
- “Fun game, not very grindy, nice spell effects and interesting mechanics.”
- “I find the premise of the game to be unique to the rogue-like genre, it isn't too grindy, and the multiplayer is fun, too!”
- “The game feels incredibly slow and tedious (UI/animation wise).”
- “It's just tedious and frustrating, because between the randomness and the weird game economy that seems to be built to stop you from fully preparing for encounters, your approaches to situations are severely limited and come down a lot of the time to blind luck.”
- “Game feels too hard to win and too hard to lose so you try to grind but the shops don't replenish so you end up running back and forth for healing services which becomes tedious especially because each party member has their own turn and movement rolls, which also ruins exploration, along with some random events being too harsh.”
stability
97 mentions
6 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and a generally unresponsive user interface. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, others have experienced severe problems such as game freezes, corrupted save files, and connectivity issues in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is seen as a fun experience but marred by significant stability concerns that detract from its potential.
- “Graphically polished, not bug free, but the only bugs I've seen so far are things like 'you completed this quest from the str_dungeonnonedisplay...' type thing in the quest text, very rarely.”
- “I like the art style, and it runs great even on less powerful PCs.”
- “Good mechanics, fun style, and runs great even on a Surface Pro.”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
- “Unfortunately, this buggy mess of a game keeps disconnecting you mid-fight and after that your save file is corrupt and you will be unable to play it again.”
- “The main problem I've had is when playing with friends sometimes the game just freezes and we lose literally hours of progress.”
optimization
55 mentions
27 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, "For the King" demonstrates a mixed bag in terms of optimization. While many players report smooth performance and quick loading times, others experience significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, leading to lag and high resource usage. The game is generally enjoyable, but it is clear that further optimization is needed to enhance the experience, especially for those with less powerful hardware.
- “For the King runs smoothly overall, with short loading times and stable performance during gameplay.”
- “Performance: 9/10. For the King's performance is generally smooth, with the game running well on most hardware configurations.”
- “Combined with some pretty impressive shaders and fantastic optimization, the game looks great and runs even better.”
- “This is a fun game to play, but it has some serious performance issues and the UI needs to be reconsidered.”
- “I could forgive all of that with no hesitation if the game wasn't so badly optimized; the game chugs at lowest settings while trying to maneuver the map, it's unbelievably bad.”
- “On the more major side, the game seems very poorly optimized - enough so that my fans have to crank at full blast from the first look at the overworld; I can't play for more than about 90 minutes without starting to suffer GPU-related crashes.”
atmosphere
41 mentions
68 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and whimsical qualities, enhanced by vibrant, cartoonish graphics and an immersive soundtrack that evokes a medieval fantasy setting. Players appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric sound design, which together create a rich and engaging world that feels alive and inviting, making it ideal for both solo and cooperative play. The combination of varied environments, solid lighting, and a well-balanced gameplay experience contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps players invested and entertained.
- “The ethereal melodies and stirring orchestrations breathe life into the game, enhancing the atmosphere and immersing players in its rich tapestry of lore and legend.”
- “The stylized graphics and an immersive soundtrack create an unforgettable medieval fantasy atmosphere in For The King.”
- “The atmospheric soundtrack of For The King sets the mood for your adventure, enhancing the sense of exploration, danger, and triumph.”
- “It's never the same from run to run, and I think it captures the intended atmosphere well.”
- “3 hours in, and one attempt down, I'm really digging the aesthetic, music, and general adventurist atmosphere of this game.”
- “Btw, the soundtrack is adaptable; it makes the atmosphere more keen.”
emotional
30 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming joy and laughter to frustration and heartbreak, particularly through its engaging characters and challenging moral dilemmas. Players report experiencing deep emotional connections, often likening their adventures to a shared Dungeons & Dragons campaign, which fosters camaraderie and intense moments of triumph and defeat. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that can lead to both wholesome experiences and poignant moments of loss.
- “As you progress, you'll encounter intriguing characters, face challenging moral dilemmas, and witness the consequences of your choices, adding depth and emotional weight to your quest.”
- “For the king has brought some huge smiles to the faces of myself and my friends... and has also led to some absolutely heartbreaking defeats.”
- “I haven't been this emotionally invested in a video game in a while.”
monetization
24 mentions
13 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is positively received, with many users praising the absence of microtransactions and the use of an in-game currency system that rewards players for their time and effort. While some express concerns about potential cash grabs through DLC or console ports, the majority appreciate the focus on gameplay and unlockable content earned through play rather than real-money purchases. The game's design fosters a sense of achievement and replayability without the pressure of pay-to-win mechanics.
- “No microtransactions whatsoever, gameplay is great.”
- “It's simple enough to pick up as you play but there's still enough depth and items to keep it interesting and tactical, and the lore store (which lets you unlock new stuff that can appear in your next campaign) has a currency earned entirely by playing - no cutthroat microtransactions or anything like that.”
- “There are no microtransactions, and for the king has instead created what they call a 'lore store' where you can redeem credits you earn in-game for rewards that will potentially give you an edge in your next playthrough.”
- “It's a shame really the developers are in it for the easy cash grab of DLC rather than letting people mod and generating a larger community.”
- “The switch port is awful and a quick cash grab.”
- “Too strange and exciting to see more content ... I literally just deleted my original upvote to leave no opinion at all because I was very disappointed this game seemed to 'die' after release except the perceived cash grab at consoles, instead of continuing a game that honestly has limited replayability once everything is unlocked.”
character development
16 mentions
31 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally perceived as limited, with a focus on player choices and progression rather than deep individual narratives. While the art style and character designs are appreciated, many players note a lack of substantial customization and story, making the experience feel more like a tactical combat game than a character-driven RPG. Overall, the character development is seen as light, with some enjoyment derived from multiplayer interactions, but it does not satisfy those seeking a rich narrative experience.
- “Character development, though somewhat limited in terms of individual narratives, is driven by player choices and the progression system.”
- “Beautiful scenery, D&D-like playstyle, fun turn-based combat, and satisfying character development and personalization.”
- “For the King delivers what I had hoped for out of Armello - a great tabletop-style tactical fantasy game, with great character development.”
- “While playing with other players, it has a similar feel to playing a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with your friends, but with the focus entirely on combat and powering up your characters, and zero focus on story or character development.”
- “If you are arriving for some wordy adventure or character development, you can move right on; it's a point-and-click math simulator in a fantasy world.”
- “There is very very little character development or customization.”