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For the King 2

For The King 2 is surprisingly one of the most tactically challenging games of 2023, but suffers from being a bit too much of the same next to the previous monarch.
For the King 2 Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, optimization
78% User Score Based on 6,224 reviews
Critic Score 75%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudXbox OneXbox Cloud GamingXboxNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
For the King 2 Game Cover

About

For the King 2 is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with a kids theme. It was developed by IronOak Games and was released on November 2, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"For the King 2" is a co-op RPG set in the oppressed kingdom of Fahrul, where up to four players can join forces to overthrow the tyrannical Queen Rosomon. The game features procedurally generated maps, easy-to-learn mechanics, and strategic gameplay, all built on an updated engine for enhanced refinement and innovation. Returning players and newcomers alike can enjoy challenging replayability in this sequel to the beloved "For the King."

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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,224 reviews
gameplay234 positive mentions
stability399 negative mentions

  • Engaging tactical combat with a grid-based system that adds depth and strategy.
  • Great fun to play with friends, offering a cooperative experience that enhances gameplay.
  • Significant improvements over the first game, including more character classes and a broader range of items.
  • The UI is clunky and unintuitive, making navigation and item management frustrating.
  • Many bugs and performance issues persist, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
  • The campaign structure requires players to start over with new characters for each chapter, which can be discouraging.
  • gameplay
    795 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "For the King II" has been described as a mix of familiar mechanics from the first game with several new features that enhance strategic depth, such as a grid-based combat system and the addition of a fourth player. While many players appreciate the addictive nature and replayability of the game, they also note persistent bugs, unclear mechanics, and a steep learning curve that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is generally seen as a solid improvement over its predecessor, offering a fun and engaging cooperative gameplay experience.

    • “Overall, the team did a great job by splitting up the campaign into a variety of little stories, with different mechanics in each.”
    • “The core gameplay remains largely the same--outside of combat, but the upgrades made to combat have been carefully considered and it's a real evolution of the original formula.”
    • “The new tactical mechanics make the gameplay so much more dynamic.”
    • “It slows down the gameplay tremendously and doesn't feel like a thoughtful roadblock.”
    • “The gameplay is also just bad, and everything is so slow.”
    • “The graphics just don't look right, the gameplay doesn't feel right especially compared to the first game, the camera movements during combat and all the little noises when you 'roll' for your skill use are frustratingly annoying.”
  • story
    522 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "For the King II" is generally perceived as light-hearted and humorous, with a structure that breaks the narrative into five chapters, allowing for shorter, more manageable play sessions. While some players appreciate the engaging quests and character interactions, others find the storyline simplistic and lacking depth compared to its predecessor. The game encourages a fast-paced approach to missions, which can detract from exploration and character development, leading to mixed feelings about the overall narrative experience.

    • “The world-building is exceptional, and the lore seamlessly weaves together with the gameplay, making every quest and encounter feel purposeful and connected to the overarching story.”
    • “Ftk2 continues the story from the original and expands the content with 5 fully developed missions that provide upwards of 6 hours of fun per mission.”
    • “The story is quirky enough to make you subconsciously smile here and there.”
    • “The story is not interesting and I would not recommend playing solo.”
    • “The story was run of the mill and generic, not to mention the story seemed to be built completely around setting up a sequel.”
    • “The game has time limits on everything so exploration or grinding for xp just to be able to have a chance to complete the story missions are out the window since you get penalized for taking too long.”
  • stability
    417 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "For the King II" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting a range of bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While the game launched in a notably buggy state, subsequent patches have improved its stability, yet issues such as freezing, UI problems, and desynchronization persist. Overall, while some players have found enjoyment despite the bugs, many recommend waiting for further updates before diving in.

    • “Not that buggy and really good.”
    • “The game is not buggy as I heard.”
    • “I'm writing this at 30 something hours of only multiplayer and the game runs great.”
    • “The reviews for this game are mixed because frankly, the game launched in an extremely buggy state.”
    • “It's impossible to join a game outside of the lobby, and even from there it gets buggy.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess with a terrible UI.”
  • graphics
    359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "For the King II" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over the original game, including higher fidelity visuals and a more polished art style. However, some users feel that the new graphics lack the charm and clarity of the first game, describing them as bland or overly complex, and report various graphical glitches and performance issues. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered an upgrade, they have sparked debate regarding their impact on the game's aesthetic and gameplay experience.

    • “The game's visuals and audio are superb, immersing the player in a fairytale world full of color and detail.”
    • “The graphics have undergone a significant upgrade, immersing players in a stunning and vibrant universe that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.”
    • “The graphics are really nice, especially in dungeons.”
    • “The graphics are terrible and the gameplay is boring and repetitive.”
    • “The graphics are not for a game in 2025, sorry to say, I've seen mobile games with better graphics.”
    • “The charm of For the King's simple low-poly art style and goofy death animations have been stripped away to make room for a muddy, unappealing graphical overhaul.”
  • optimization
    127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, long load times, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some improvements have been made post-launch, such as reduced crashes and smoother performance for certain users, the overall experience remains marred by bugs and a lack of polish, leading many to consider it an unfinished product. Players recommend caution, suggesting that the first game in the series offers a more stable and enjoyable experience.

    • “Although the game had some game-crashing bugs when it first came out, over the course of the year that my husband and I played through this, the developers did a great job fixing things, and it runs smoothly most of the time now.”
    • “The game now runs smoothly, with impressive optimization, improved FPS, and fewer crashes.”
    • “Great gratitude to the dev for continuing to improve the game's performance and gameplay.”
    • “Outside of the dark carnival, the campaign feels poorly optimized, overly linear, and shallow; it could be longer like the first game, it could be connected, but it doesn't feel like it.”
    • “Poorly optimized to the point it'll make powerful rigs suffer for no apparent reason.”
    • “The game is very badly optimized and has very low performance.”
  • replayability
    111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its procedural generation, diverse character classes, and continuous content updates, which keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Many players appreciate the variety of builds and strategies available, making it enjoyable to play with friends. However, some critiques mention that certain design choices and linear paths can detract from the replay value, suggesting a need for more varied modes or scenarios.

    • “Incredible amount of replayability, lots of fun!”
    • “The world map is procedurally generated each run, ensuring replayability with unexpected encounters, weather effects, and biome diversity.”
    • “This game has given me hours of fun with friends, and is incredibly replayable.”
    • “It is poorly designed and has very little replay value.”
    • “The game theoretically has a lot of replayability, but I found that the game got old rather quickly.”
    • “Unfortunately, it being scenario-based and not mode-based really takes a lot of the replayability out of the game.”
  • music
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beauty and ability to enhance immersion, while others express disappointment over the removal of musical classes and the repetitiveness of tracks. Some players find the soundtrack memorable and fitting for the game's whimsical and adventurous tone, while others feel it lacks variety and can become monotonous over time. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, though some players long for the return of musical elements from previous installments.

    • “The brilliant soundtrack and animations bring out a unique immersion that I didn't expect this game to have. Hats off to John Robert Matz for such a great OST; the leitmotifs of the main theme woven into the more desperate tracks make everything sound so triumphant. This game is second to none in its niche.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the various environments and events, adding an extra layer of immersion to the gaming experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is utterly beautiful for this game, and when I finished the game, the song in the credits retelling the events of both games brought me to tears.”
    • “They took away the different sounds of the musical instruments.”
    • “- the music is unbearably monotonous.”
    • “I usually like in-game music but I had to turn it off.”
  • humor
    85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "For the King 2" is a standout feature, characterized by its silly storylines, hilarious ragdoll physics, and amusing bugs that often lead to laugh-out-loud moments, especially when played with friends. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone, witty dialogue, and the absurdity of situations that arise during gameplay, making it a fun and entertaining experience. While some find the humor less impactful than in the first game, the overall consensus is that the game delivers plenty of comedic moments that enhance the multiplayer experience.

    • “Hilarious to play with friends.”
    • “Very silly but fun game... turn-based shenanigans, stat abuse, and hilarious ragdoll physics combined with the accessibility features make this a game that is great fun with friends.”
    • “The game is a hilarious and fun experience with friends.”
  • grinding
    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a significant divide in player experiences regarding grinding in the game. While some players find the grind enjoyable and rewarding, particularly for unlocking items and achievements, many others criticize it as tedious and frustrating, often feeling that it detracts from the overall fun. Common complaints include slow progression, repetitive tasks, and cumbersome mechanics that make grinding feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of the gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Super duper grindy unlock system.”
    • “Even if the gameplay is satisfying, the progression is tedious and slow.”
    • “Every run starts with extremely slow, tedious grinding so enemies don't overscale you and make you restart all over; by the end of the run, you'll be bored to death.”
  • emotional
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players feeling a strong connection to the gameplay and its challenges, while others criticize the lack of emotional depth in character interactions. The inclusion of pets and companions adds an emotional layer, but their short lifespan can lead to frustration. Overall, while the game evokes feelings of excitement and heartbreak, it struggles to create lasting emotional bonds with its characters.

    • “I liked it, I was good at it, and it made me feel alive.”
    • “It died like 3 fights later and I cried.”
    • “With over 40 hours in the game and some heartbreaking bugs along the way.”
  • atmosphere
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and detailed environments, ranging from snowy mountains to desolate wastelands, complemented by a well-balanced soundtrack that enhances the experience. Improved animations and sound effects contribute to a polished feel, while maintaining the charming yet challenging essence of its predecessor. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, effectively blending adventure with the roguelite elements of the game.

    • “The atmosphere pulls you in right away, and every location looks polished and full of detail ✨.”
    • “Environments are beautifully rendered, from snowy mountain passes to burning wastelands, and the accompanying soundtrack strikes a good balance between atmospheric and adventurous.”
    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention, as it enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “It's a cute yet punishing DnD-esque game; atmosphere should be one of the highest priorities.”
    • “The first is to remember that despite this game having the look and feel and atmosphere of an adventure, it is still a roguelite.”
    • “The game has the same feel and atmosphere as the first one but with a little bit of improvement.”
  • monetization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab filled with microtransactions, while others appreciate the absence of such practices and the use of in-game currency earned through gameplay. Overall, there are concerns about the game's reliance on monetization strategies that detract from player experience, contrasting with more player-friendly approaches seen in other titles.

    • “They don't scam you to death with microtransactions, and they listen to their players.”
    • “Adding to that, you can start with unique abilities you can buy in the lore store (no microtransactions; lore is a game currency you earn by playing).”
    • “There's no microtransactions in this game.”
    • “I want to support small developers, but this one seems like a cash grab that is in many ways inferior to the first glitchy game.”
    • “While For the King was a good game, its successor falls prey to the tragic cash grab commonly seen with companies that have lost their ability for developers to express themselves to the greed of corporate interest.”
    • “Cash grab and doesn't really introduce much new content.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has seen significant improvements, with users praising the enhanced character designs and variety of unlockable items. However, some technical issues, such as low-quality images and aliasing, detract from the overall experience. While the storyline is better written than in previous iterations, players feel that the main quest's pacing limits opportunities for deeper character exploration.

    • “The graphics are super cute, the soundtrack is good, variety and amount of unlocks are higher, the character design is hugely improved, the items make more sense, the enemies are more varied, the scaling is significantly better, the difficulty levels make more sense, even the obviously super-simple and silly storyline is certainly better written than its predecessor's; I could probably go on for pages.”
    • “Multiplayer works well (GB -> NA), and character design is interesting and well thought out.”
    • “Boss events are great, but the main quest shouldn't be pushed as hard to allow exploration and character development.”
    • “You can't even click the random button twice in a row for a random character design without moving the mouse off the random button and then hovering over it again.”
    • “Boss events are great but the main quest shouldn't be pushed as hard to allow exploration and character development.”
    • “The graphics in some aspects, such as the character designs and clarity, are a huge step forward, only to be let down by the low-quality images within the game, such as the icons in the shop, like the lock picks, and bad aliasing everywhere even with all the detail set to high.”
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8h Median play time
25h Average play time
4-30h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 63 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

For the King 2 is a role playing game with kids theme.

For the King 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and others.

On average players spend around 25 hours playing For the King 2.

For the King 2 was released on November 2, 2023.

For the King 2 was developed by IronOak Games.

For the King 2 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

For the King 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include For The King, Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, Torchlight III, Stolen Realm, Wizard of Legend 2 and others.