9 Kings is done, finished, complete and finally out, with the game departing Early Access on PC (Mac and Windows) and on mobile (Android and iOS) today, November 12th.
The 1.0 update, which landed on all platforms at various points during the day, added a new custom Joker mode, loads of fresh content (although nothing earth-shatteringly substantial), plus daily quests to keep you out of trouble and/or competitive.
Sad Socket’s cute-but-ruthless strategy roguelite autobattler has been complete in terms of rulers for a couple of months now, and the most recent updates have focused on getting the game ready for launch, which is where we are today.
What’s in the new update?
The launch version of 9 Kings now comes with four main game modes, the newest one being the new Joker mode, which joins a well-polished court of kings and queens, all with their own special units and powerful abilities. That said, there have been around 30 new decrees added, alongside powerful rainbow cards and some freshly pressed perks – there will be new gameplay synergies to discover.
I’ve been playing 9 Kings since it first arrived, and in my Early Access review last year I wrote nice things and called it “roguelite royalty in the making”. Since then, the number of kings has risen to match the name of the game; it’s got the ol’ green tick on Steam Deck; it hit mobile devices with a version I’ve not played; and it has finally left the confines of Early Access on Steam.
The royal seal of approval
Having played the game again quite recently, including today and last night for a bit, I’m happy to commit my opinion to record: 9 Kings is a lovely little game, and I’m really quite enamoured with it.
I really like the overall pacing of each campaign, as you build your kingdom almost like you would in a tile-based board game. Positioning is everything here, but there are chances to move your units around and develop synergies on the fly.
The game expertly blends army construction with base-building, and then, when you’re not trying to maximise your unit placements, the troops you’re able to raise engage in quick-fire automated battles.
The constant feedback loop helps you adapt your setup and create eclectic armies, which are different every time as you construct them using the units and/or abilities of the different playable rulers you choose for that specific run.
There is plenty of scope for creating fun armies. For example, last night I created a massive swarm of poisonous raptors, which was fun until I hit the endless mode and they suddenly got all squishy. Such is the way of things…
9 Kings is one of those games that’s easy to pick up and play, but offers a bonkers amount of depth for those who want to sink in and get lost in its nuances. I love how it turns simple base-building into a layered puzzle, which in turn translates into teeny-tiny battles that feel epic despite being little more than cute pixels on a screen.
9 Kings is out now on Android, iOS, and PC (Mac, Win). I played the game via access provided by publisher Hooded Horse.
