9 Kings is set in a dark fantasy world divided between nine monarchs, each with their own territory. Your goal is to dethrone them and win their lands, and each time you play, you get randomized maps, different enemy placements, and unique rewards. The core of the game is to make calculated moves, anticipate enemy strategies, and decide when to attack, retreat, or use your kingdom's resources.
Combat in 9 Kings is turn-based on a grid battlefield, so you need to be smart about how you position your troops and the timing of their actions. Sometimes it's crucial to attack right away, while in other situations it's better to wait a bit to get an advantage. Outside of combat, you'll need to manage supplies, explore various terrains, and make quick decisions when random events occur. The game environment and maps are challenging and filled with traps or various ambushes, so it keeps you on your toes.
To progress in 9 Kings, you need to adapt as you play, because even losing during one session can teach you new strategies and approaches that can be useful in the future. You also unlock upgrades, new units, and skills the more you play, and those carry over to the next attempt. You can buy and download 9 Kings in early access on computers running on macOS and Windows.
Why Should I Download 9 Kings?
9 Kings is a game that has a highly strategic combat system that doesn't rely only on brute force. In order to win, you need to think about your moves ahead and consider things like the terrain, timing, while also balancing offensive and defensive actions. Anticipating enemy moves is also a big part of combat, so you need to outsmart them instead of only having a more powerful army.
Every time you play 9 Kings, you get a different procedurally generated map and events that can change how you approach the game. You cannot simply memorize layouts or encounters; you need to adapt and react to new threats and terrains and take advantage of opportunities that appear, which introduces a structure known for roguelike games. You can replay the game multiple times and learn something new each time you start a new run.
Even though you play the game multiple times, it doesn't mean you lose your progress with each session. With every run, you can unlock new characters, skills, and upgrades that carry over to the next time you restart the game, whether you win or fail. The gameplay is focused on short-term sessions, but allows you to make long-term progress.
What's great about 9 Kings is how it balances clear rules that are easy to learn, but at the same time, mastering different tactics takes practice. Because of this, the game is a great choice for both those new to roguelikes and tactical strategy games, as well as for those who enjoy this genre and want to challenge themselves.
What's more, 9 Kings has a strong, dark fantasy theme which is supported by the game visuals, haunting soundtrack, and general gameplay filled with dangers. As you balance risks and rewards, you need to decide when to push into enemy territories and when to focus on how you collect and spend your resources. You can buy early access and download the game for PCs and laptops with Windows and macOS.
Is 9 Kings Free?
No, 9 Kings is a paid game distributed through Steam that you first need to buy to play it. It comes in an early access version, but you can also choose to buy it as a bundle with other games.
What Operating Systems Are Compatible with 9 Kings?
At the moment, you can download 9 Kings and play it only on computers, and the game requires you to have either Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 10.13 and newer. Additionally, you will need at least 4 GB of RAM and 500 MB of free disk space. The game has not been released to other platforms, such as mobile devices or gaming consoles.
What Are the Alternatives to 9 Kings?
Inkshade is a tactical roguelike with a distinctive hand-drawn art style where you play as creatures carved out of wood. The game is story-driven, but it also offers strategic combat, where each run takes you through the game's narrative. It has branching choices and procedural elements, so each time you play it, the game is a bit different. You can buy the game for Windows PCs through Steam, and it doesn't need next-gen hardware to run.
Shogun Showdown is also a turn-based roguelike, but it offers a simplified experience where, during each turn, you can make one or several actions, and you battle opponents on a grid. You need to carefully plan your moves and predict what your opponent is going to do to win. You can buy the game for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
As We Descend is another roguelike strategy game where you need to collect a deck to recruit the right units and fight others. You are also in charge of collecting resources before your expeditions into the unknown, so the game also adds survival elements to its gameplay. The game was released as a paid title available only on Windows-based computers.
