Kingdom: Classic
- November 12, 2018
- Coatsink
- 14h median play time
A brilliant and more accessible sequel to enjoy with a friend
"Kingdom: Classic" is a strategy game where players step into the role of a monarch, building and defending their kingdom against the Greed. The game features a new campaign mode in "Kingdom Two Crowns," which introduces cooperative play, new unit types, advanced technologies, and fresh environments. Players must build a lasting kingdom and defeat the Greed once and for all.
Reviews
- gameplay1,093 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Kingdom Two Crowns" is characterized by its simple mechanics and engaging strategy elements, making it accessible yet challenging. While many players appreciate the beautiful pixel art and relaxing soundtrack, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the lack of clear instructions for mechanics, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable cooperative play and strategic depth, though it can become tedious over time due to its limited variety and occasional bugs.
“The gameplay is enjoyable and straightforward, and the addition of a co-op mode adds a new layer of excitement.”
“The gameplay loop manages to keep the grind fun, feeding you a slow trickle of progress followed by moments where we shout 'ooohhhhh shiittttttt, look at this sick upgrade I just built!' and inching you closer and closer to clearing an island.”
“The gameplay is intuitive yet deep, providing a satisfying challenge for players of all skill levels.”
“This game suffers from a repetitive, badly paced, and painfully slow gameplay loop.”
“The gameplay is very shallow and you spend most of your time waiting around for things to happen.”
“The atmosphere is what makes the game fun at first, but overtime the general unintuitive gameplay mechanics and underdeveloped units quickly ruin campaigns and make the game frustrating to play.”
- music779 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Kingdom Two Crowns" is widely praised for its beautiful, calming, and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature, often describing it as mesmerizing and perfect for relaxation, while the pixel art complements the music beautifully. However, some users noted that the music can be sparse at times, leading to moments of silence that detract from the immersive experience.
“Its enthralling pixel art and enchanting music combine to create a tranquil yet mesmerizing ambience.”
“The music is so calm and soothing.”
“The music, the style, the art, everything is great.”
“The music goes through long gaps of silence with sudden music out of nowhere.”
“The soundtrack isn't as good as before but it is an improvement in every other way.”
“The game is really nice at first glance, the art, the music, the idea behind it all will suck you in... once you get past the first little bit, everything starts sliding downwards.”
- graphics732 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Kingdom: Two Crowns" are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, which is described as charming, beautiful, and immersive. Players appreciate the game's aesthetic appeal, enhanced by a soothing soundtrack that complements the visuals, creating a relaxing atmosphere. While some users note minor graphical glitches and a lack of variety in certain expansions, the overall consensus is that the game's visuals are a significant highlight, making it a visually captivating experience.
“The graphics, for a pixelated game, are honestly out of this world.”
“Kingdom Two Crowns captivates with its beautifully pixelated art style and soothing soundtrack, creating a serene and enchanting world.”
“The pixel graphics are beautiful, the music is really great, and the gameplay is simple but addictive and engaging.”
“The graphics seem minimalist and should run smooth on most devices, but if it doesn't there are not many options to optimize the game to your preferences. For example, I think the reflection feature is just a waste of my computer resources; I'd like to get rid of it, but there is no built-in way to do it.”
“The graphics are simple, but they work effectively with the game's beautiful soundtrack to create an incredibly immersive atmosphere.”
“While the art style and soundtrack are breathtaking, the gameplay is limited and repetitive; after an hour or two, you'll have pretty much played all there is.”
- atmosphere159 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of beautiful pixel art, captivating soundtracks, and immersive environments that create a relaxing yet occasionally tense experience. Players appreciate the chill vibe that allows for both solo and cooperative gameplay, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a calming yet engaging adventure. However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is strong, the gameplay mechanics can be simplistic or frustrating at times, which may detract from the overall experience.
“This game provides such a unique, wonderful atmosphere!”
“The pixel art is gorgeous and atmospheric, the soundtrack is surprisingly relaxing for a game where you're fighting for the safety of your entire kingdom.”
“The atmosphere is amazing, the idea is insanely good...but it's marred by the foolish idea that a game's difficulty should simply increment up each turn until it kills the player.”
“For a game that relies heavily on a charming chill atmosphere (and with such simple graphics), this is unforgivable.”
“Boring and stupid, aside from the atmosphere I guess.”
“Can be mostly easy atmosphere and errand grinding with sudden sharp bouts of frantic difficulty curve jumps if you piss off the greed too much with no way of stymying the repercussions.”
- stability153 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and even halt progress. While some users find enjoyment in the game despite these issues, the overall consensus is that the game is overly buggy, particularly in multiplayer modes, leading to frustration and a diminished experience. Despite occasional patches, many players feel that the game remains unacceptably unstable and in need of further refinement.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“No glitches, no lag, just pure fun.”
“The game is now mostly bug free and plays very well.”
“The game is buggy, more so than before.”
“For a game this simple and that lacks almost any depth, it is unacceptable for it to be so incredibly buggy and poorly designed.”
“Releasing a gem like Kingdom: Two Crowns in this atrocious buggy state is really unacceptable, knowing how great this game can be.”
- grinding147 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it requires excessive time and effort to progress. While some find the grind enjoyable and relaxing, others criticize it for lacking depth and excitement, leading to a frustrating experience, especially for new players. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be fun, its grindy nature may deter some players from fully engaging with it.
“The mechanics are great, the gameplay is great, it's not grindy, it's just an all around great time.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“Tony Hawk grinding with Mullen.”
“The game is extremely tedious, and doesn't really do anything to make it fun or exciting in those tedious moments.”
“The core gameplay loop grows exponentially more tedious the longer you play.”
“It gets a bit tedious later on; especially when you are on an island that contains no more enemies at all, it turns into an annoying grind.”
- story119 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely minimal and often described as lacking depth, with many players noting that it feels more like a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central element. While some appreciate the atmospheric and implied storytelling through mechanics and visuals, others express disappointment over the absence of a structured narrative or character development. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game offers engaging gameplay, it falls short in delivering a compelling story.
“The latest expansion 'Call of Olympus' brings the usual, but very addictive gameplay loop we all know and love, but also sprinkles in fun mounts, fun side quests on each island, and fun artifacts that give you an interesting ability.”
“It feels like a story unfolding before your eyes that you can feel and experience with your own emotional reinforcement as you play.”
“Kingdom Two Crowns is the game that shows itself to be a mini civilization builder that gets you to defeat the horrors of greed and has a good story/campaign to it where you go to different islands and face different problems with new buffs and technology.”
“The story in Kingdom is in fact not really relevant to the game at all, but it’s a nice distraction while you’re collecting all the coins.”
“You can't fight, you can't build outside of designated spots, you have zero freedom on how to approach the world, you can't explore, there is zero story, zero dialogue, zero soundtrack, zero characters.”
“If you are here for the story - don't waste your time.”
- replayability94 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as high, with many players appreciating the variety offered through expansions, different game modes, and challenges that enhance the experience. However, some reviews note that once the mechanics are mastered, the replay value may diminish, leading to a more formulaic experience. Overall, while many find the game addictive and enjoyable with significant replay potential, others feel it can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs.
“It's a captivating experience, offering hours of strategic fun and near endless replayability.”
“The ability to explore and change your animal adds so much to this great infinitely replayable title.”
“The dlc adds lots of replayability beyond even the base game to see the new worlds, mounts, and scenery.”
“Sadly, I think the game's replayability is relatively low despite the new content that's been introduced, especially if you've played the previous games in the franchise.”
“Once you work out the mechanics of how to beat it, there's limited replay value.”
“This game, once finished a few times, is not really that replayable; I'm bored already.”
- humor38 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Kingdom Two Crowns" is widely praised for its lighthearted and whimsical nature, with players enjoying funny moments involving quirky characters and unexpected situations, such as archers' antics and amusing gameplay mishaps. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its charming pixel art and engaging mechanics, making it a delightful experience for both solo and multiplayer sessions. Overall, the humor adds a heartwarming touch to the game's exploration of feudal themes and cooperative play.
“In conclusion, Kingdom Two Crowns is a hilariously heartwarming adventure that will make you laugh, cry (from laughter), and maybe even learn a thing or two about feudal economics.”
“I play with my brother every now and then, and what would be a disheartening breach of the walls turns into a hilarious good time.”
“The funny thing is that although the game is supposed to be about monarchs, kingdoms, and feudalism, you are actually a fantasy capitalist - you don't rule by commanding, but by investments.”
- emotional13 mentions
- 85 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
"Kingdom Two Crowns" is praised for its emotional depth, combining humor and heartwarming moments that resonate with players. The game's music and gameplay create a rich narrative experience, evoking feelings of nostalgia and attachment, while themes of teamwork and discovery enhance its emotional impact. Players report moments of genuine sadness and joy, making it a memorable and engaging adventure.
“In conclusion, Kingdom Two Crowns is a hilariously heartwarming adventure that will make you laugh, cry (from laughter), and maybe even learn a thing or two about feudal economics.”
“It feels like a story unfolding before your eyes that you can feel and experience with your own emotional reinforcement as you play.”
“Dog got stolen after ten days with it and I cried.”
“So elegantly driven and emotional that you cry.”
“So elegantly driven and emotional that you cry.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck and has seen improvements with updates, players report significant stuttering and performance drops, especially in multiplayer modes and during intense scenes. Users have noted issues with frame rates and a lack of certain graphical settings, indicating that further optimization is needed, particularly for standard PCs and online play. Overall, while some aspects are well-optimized, serious performance issues persist that detract from the gaming experience.
“The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, making it a perfect companion for gaming on the go.”
“The performance is great; it does have a few bugs here and there, but they will be ironed out. I am missing some graphical settings like the ability to turn off VSync, and I also notice small frame drops when there are hundreds of archers and enemies on the screen, which I did not experience in the previous games.”
“The updates are awesome (finally can get rid of the tutorial ghost) and it looks better than ever; however, performance dropped with the last update.”
“Stuttering issues occur randomly, ruining the pixel animation and gaming experience.”
“The updates are awesome (finally can get rid of the tutorial ghost) and it looks better than ever, however performance dropped with the last update.”
“Serious stuttering (massive framerate drops) is simply unacceptable (i5, gtx970, 16gb), literally makes me sick to watch on long runs.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many users labeling it as a cash grab that prioritizes profit over quality content and player experience. Despite enjoyable core mechanics, the game's buggy nature and perceived lack of meaningful updates have led to disappointment among players.
“While the core mechanics and game are very enjoyable, the game feels like a cash grab.”
“It is very buggy and feels like a cash grab instead of meaningful content.”
“Quality game, but their release model is really cash grabby.”
Critic Reviews
Kingdom Two Crowns Review
Kingdom Two Crowns offers a hell of a view, but you may find its brand of light strategy too sedate if you’re not one to ‘smell the roses’. Give it a chance, though, and it really grows on you. Disappointing framerate aside, it’s a great introduction to the series, and valuable split-screen co-op adds a fresh, more relaxing dimension to its tower defence. If you bounced off New Lands, this won’t win you over, but if the last game piqued your interest but passed you by, Two Crowns is a much easier recommendation.
80%Kingdom Two Crowns Review - PS4
Kingdom Two Crowns is an immersive and frequently surprising strategy game that is quite unlike any other. Fans of slow-burning, atmospheric strategy efforts with emergent discovery will find much to enjoy here - as would newcomers to the genre at large.
85%Kingdom Two Crowns
A surprising twist on the strategy and resource management genre, Kingdom Two Crowns offers players a mostly serene experience with gorgeous art and limited direction that may frustrate players not willing to uncover its secrets.
82%