KINGDOMS

About

"KINGDOMS is a single-player, open-world procedural medieval RPG with a smart AI system that controls NPC behavior, creating a dynamic and living world with unique characters, each with their own life goals and motivations. The game offers a vast, interactive world with a variety of activities including exploration, combat, trade, and crafting. Despite some bugs, KINGDOMS stands out with its stunning gameplay, good music, and the freedom to become any character and pursue any goals you desire."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+31

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,402 reviews

gameplay67 positive mentions

stability164 negative mentions

The game has an amazing concept with a procedural world where NPCs build and maintain settlements.
The developer is very active, providing frequent updates and engaging with the community.
The game offers a unique experience where players can choose various roles, such as a farmer, trader, or bandit.

The game has been largely abandoned since the last update in September 2021, leading to concerns about its future development.
There are numerous bugs and performance issues, making the game feel unpolished and frustrating at times.
The combat mechanics are clunky and not very engaging, which detracts from the overall experience.

gameplay
255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
67%
7%
The gameplay of this medieval building and survival game is a mixed bag, with many players noting its potential but also highlighting significant issues such as bugs, incomplete mechanics, and a lack of depth. While some enjoy the unique AI interactions and town-building aspects, others find the experience shallow and frustrating due to clunky controls and limited content. Overall, the game shows promise but requires substantial improvements and updates to reach its full potential.
- “The mechanics and the AI are truly incredible, and you can literally watch the world evolve around you without even participating.”
- “This game is truly on a AAA game level when it comes to gameplay.”
- “I love the ambition and what Kingdoms is going for, but the core gameplay needs some more love.”
- “The gameplay is too buggy and glitchy to ever enjoy without hope of a better future for it.”
- “The game is playable but it's very barebones with a huge amount of gameplay mechanics still missing.”
- “There is zero tutorial or real intro for new players to any of the game's mechanics; that's a real turn off.”
graphics
215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
57%
16%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are dated and reminiscent of early 2000s titles, which can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the retro aesthetic and find the visuals serviceable for gameplay, others criticize the lack of polish, frequent graphical glitches, and performance issues, especially on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are seen as a lower priority compared to gameplay mechanics, with potential for improvement as the game continues to develop.
- “The graphics are beautiful and it runs smoothly (for the most part) on my Lenovo laptop.”
- “The graphics are awesome for a single developer, better than Life is Feudal, with sun rays, trees, and dense forests.”
- “The graphics are nice, and gameplay's okay.”
- “Unfortunately, it's really obvious that it's a solo dev project; the graphics are a bit old (in line with the first Steam release in 2015), and the game is clunky and generally totally unpolished.”
- “The graphics are a decade out of date.”
- “The graphics are awful, but the concept is really nice.”
stability
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many describing it as "buggy," "janky," and "unfinished." While some players find it playable and entertaining despite the glitches, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment due to frequent bugs, incomplete features, and performance issues. Many reviews suggest that the game is currently in a rough state, typical of early access titles, but express hope for future improvements as the developer continues to work on updates.
- “I've seen less updates with a much bigger team and the game is pretty bug free.”
- “There are active players who are enjoying the game and have put many hours into it, reporting bugs to assist the developer in completing a polished and bug-free experience.”
- “There are bugs present as one would expect, but in five hours of playing, I only ever actually crashed once and the rest of my play was fairly bug free.”
- “The game is a bit buggy and feels unfinished.”
- “This game has been on early access for almost 6 years and still has so many bugs, glitches, and crashes.”
- “Right now the game is very buggy and after playing for just a couple of minutes, it's obvious that this game is always on sale for 3-5 dollars for a reason.”
story
139 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
82%
9%
The game's story is largely absent, with players describing it as a sandbox experience where they create their own narrative rather than following a predefined plot. While the world is populated with autonomous NPCs who offer repetitive quests, the lack of a cohesive storyline or dynamic quest system leaves many feeling that the game lacks depth. Despite its potential for immersive gameplay, the current quest structure and overall narrative are seen as underdeveloped and in need of significant improvement.
- “It goes beyond some pre-established, static fantasy world setting by actually allowing the NPCs and the player to create their own stories.”
- “I just love how the world lives its own life; every NPC has their own tasks to do, not just waiting for the player to come and do quests for them.”
- “While this game won't give you an in-depth RPG experience that you may be used to, you can play in many different ways; more than a story-bound RPG, you create your own story.”
- “The quests lack any content and are really annoying and feel pointless.”
- “There is no storyline, no plot, no mystery.”
- “The quest dialog needs to be all re-written.”
optimization
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
53%
25%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially in larger settlements or with numerous NPCs. While some users note improvements in recent updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, leading to lag and bugs that detract from the experience. Many hope for further optimizations in future updates to enhance playability.
- “The recent optimization was an improvement and my save is no longer unplayable.”
- “Wonderful progress and improvements have been made both in terms of gameplay and optimization.”
- “It does need some more optimization since the game does start to lag a lot when population starts rising and more towns are being built.”
- “The game is unfinished, so it isn't optimized very well and will have frame slowing as your town grows, even with a decent machine running the game.”
- “The game itself, performance issues aside, is exactly the kind of game I always wished was made, but, because of how terrible it is performance-wise, I have given up playing it.”
- “Looks worse than TES Oblivion, and that's a 13-year-old game. Optimization is also at 0 - I get like 30 fps after playing 30-60 minutes, and that's on an AMD Ryzen 3700X and GeForce 1080 Ti at 1440p.”
grinding
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the early stages where resource gathering and skill leveling can feel overwhelming. While some enjoy the grind as part of the fantasy simulation experience, others express frustration over the lack of automation and the repetitive nature of tasks like farming and crafting. Overall, the game offers potential for enjoyment, but significant improvements are needed to alleviate the grind and enhance gameplay satisfaction.
- “Of all the open world medieval simulations out there, this is the one I like the best. It is not too taxing, skill progression is moderate and not tedious. The NPC element, where they can do all the things a player can, is a real boon.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “What's really frustrating is that you have to do a lot of grinding to get to the late stages where it seems like the fun should start only to run into a wall of 'wait for next update's.”
- “If you don't happen to find someone with a special perk that you need to progress forward, you have to spend countless resources and time grinding enough progress points to unlock the perk naturally.”
- “Expect essential bugs, a simplistic and grindy crafting/gathering system, lack of animations, and poor sound quality.”
music
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and resemblance to Skyrim, while others find it repetitive and lacking variety, often leading them to mute it after extended play. While a few users enjoy the background music and its fit within the game's ambiance, many express a desire for more diverse tracks and sound effects to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as average, with some players finding it pleasant but ultimately forgettable.
- “I also really enjoy the music in this game, though I wish more scores would be added for more variety.”
- “The music is very much in the same style as Skyrim - sort of nice background music - I don't play it loudly and it is nice to listen to.”
- “It is rare in my gaming life, which spans decades, that I have come across a game so well put together with its gameplay, music, and sheer concept.”
- “The music is lackluster.”
- “Terrible and even the music gets annoying after a while.”
- “Subpar at this point with repetitive music and sound effects.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
Overall, the game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting its open-world design and customizable settings that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some users mention lingering bugs and a need for improved fluidity, the developer's ongoing updates and engagement have significantly enhanced the game's replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking varied gameplay experiences. Many players express excitement about exploring different character types and strategies, indicating a strong foundation for future replayability as development continues.
- “Replayability: 5/5, the replayability for this game far exceeds my standards. I have multiple times started over and tried different settings just to see how well the game can handle, but also because I like to try out different methods and character types that I can choose from.”
- “Since the game is open world and fully customizable in terms of settings and flow, the game is actually pretty damn replayable.”
- “If you're looking for a game with nearly unlimited replayability and endless world-building possibilities, you should absolutely purchase this game.”
- “The developer is worth supporting more than a AAA title, to be honest, but the game still lacks a fluidity that could make it more playable.”
- “Replay value is high because the first play is all about learning the game.”
- “It also feels like that first 3 hours has a lot of replayability as you choose different roles/paths/etc.”
humor
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky bugs and amusing animations, such as upright dead bandits and animals passing through walls, which often lead to hilarious moments rather than frustration. Players appreciate the comedic elements of the gameplay, including funny AI responses and the absurdity of certain scenarios, making the experience entertaining despite its early access status and occasional glitches. Overall, the game successfully blends serious gameplay with lighthearted humor, creating a fun medieval sandbox experience.
- “It too has its own little bugs here and there, and things you should be able to do but can't (like put furniture in your house) but they're more hilarious than anything, like the upright standing but dead bandits that you find sometimes, and definitely not game breaking.”
- “The game has AI responses when you reject a task, but you will never see them unless your FPS is so low that it shows a single frame where it shows their response, which is usually a funny insult.”
- “Now this game to me is great; I'd recommend it. It has some hilarious moments such as the sun glowing to a tree, and you begin thinking that it's a holy tree. Good game, hilarious! One day out of early access, I bet it will be great. Right now it has some bugs, but other than that, it is fun.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, enhanced by thoughtful music and a holistic design approach from the developer. While not a triple-A title, it offers a unique charm that resonates with players, making it a memorable experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as sweet, engaging, and conducive to exploration and gameplay.
- “The developer of the game works really hard to make this game holistic, interesting, and allows you to dive into the atmosphere.”
- “This is not a triple-A title, but for its atmosphere, it will always have a special place on my games list, and there are only a few games I want to succeed as much as this.”
- “Kingdoms is a fun little game to while some time away with its relaxing atmosphere and gameplay loop.”
- “This is not a triple-A title, but for its atmosphere, it will always have a special place on my games list, and there are only really a few games I want to succeed as much as this.”
- “Kingdoms is a fun little game to pass some time with its relaxing atmosphere and gameplay loop.”
- “Mount and Blade type of atmosphere with animals, survival, and settlement building thrown in.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and a sense of wonder reminiscent of childhood. Many reviews highlight the heartfelt dedication of the developers, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which adds a poignant layer to the gaming experience. However, some players feel that despite the emotional investment, the game ultimately falls short of its potential, leaving a bittersweet impression.
- “Amazing game, and the realization of how heartbreaking the war in Ukraine can be when it takes developers like this away from such great projects.”
- “This game needs some very heartfelt support.”
- “If you want an emotional rollercoaster, then buy this game in its current state.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
Reviews indicate that many inexpensive games on Steam are perceived as cash grabs, lacking depth and quality. Some users suggest transitioning to a free-to-play model with microtransactions to better support development, while others acknowledge that despite initial concerns, the developers have been actively updating the game, indicating a commitment to improvement. Overall, there is a mixed sentiment regarding monetization practices, with calls for more transparency and value.
- “I think making this game free-to-play with optional microtransactions could really help support ongoing development.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items for purchase, which lets players customize their experience without affecting gameplay balance.”
- “Often the inexpensive ones on Steam are just quick and stupid games made hastily as a cash grab.”
- “The game had potential, but unfortunately it was just another cash grab.”
- “We're not allowed to mis-sell in the real world of economics and advertising; it shouldn't be allowed here.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers a unique approach to character development with intriguing progression paths, but it suffers from significant issues such as poor character designs, unrealistic movements, and a lack of engaging challenges. Overall, while the potential for character growth is present, it is overshadowed by numerous technical problems and a dull game world.
- “On some parts, the game is pretty unique in how it manages aspects of character development and progression.”
- “The variety of paths you can take in character development is intriguing.”
- “Character designs: bad.”
- “It has way too many problems that it currently faces, including unrealistic and unfluid character movements, a boring world with absolutely no interactive elements, ugly character designs, and numerous bugs.”