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9 Kings

9 Kings

PC
Early Access

Release Date: May 23, 2025 Early Access

Strategy, Fantasy, Turn-based, Roguelike, 2D, Card Games, Indie Games, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Singleplayer, PC Game Pass

A minimalistic roguelike strategy game, created by Hooded Horse studio. In 9 Kings we can build our own kingdom on a small grid and then defend it against the invaders. Our army fights on its own. We can support it by throwing boulders at enemies or drawing random cards from the deck.

9.4

Steam

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[0:51] - Early Access Launch Trailer Videos: 2
Screenshot Images: 9
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9 Kings is a minimalistic turn-based roguelike strategy game, where the gameplay is based on drawing random cards from a deck. This game is a prequel to 3 Kings. It was created by Sad Socket, an independent studio from Brazil, also known for Knights of Fresco.

Gameplay

We start the adventure in the dark fantasy world with a grid of nine squares around the castle. During each turn we fill the fields by choosing one of the three randomly drawn cards. They include not only new buildings, but also units, objects, improvements, and actions. For example, a card can strengthen fields at the expense of destroying the neighboring ones, or cause the soldier defending the kingdom to explode after death and thus inflict damage on the invaders.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

Developer: Sad Socket

Publisher: Hooded Horse

Age restrictions: 12+

Features

News

Build a kingdom and defend it against invaders in new Xbox Game Pass title

Build a kingdom and defend it against invaders in new Xbox Game Pass title

Today marks the launch of the final title planned for the first half of August on Xbox and PC Game Pass. It's a minimalist strategy game where you build a kingdom, recruit troops, and support your units by hurling stones at enemies.

video games

Christian Pieniazek

August 14, 2025

Build a kingdom and defend it against invaders in new Xbox Game Pass title

System Requirements

System Requirements for 9 Kings Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-750 / AMD Phenom II X4 965, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GT 630 / Radeon HD 6670, 500 MB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-3570 / AMD FX-8300, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 650 / Radeon HD 7750, 500 MB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for 9 Kings Video Game.

94%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (18,225)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users find the game highly addictive, with a fun and engaging gameplay loop that encourages experimentation with different strategies and combinations.
  • Variety of Kings: Each king offers unique playstyles and card sets, providing a fresh experience with each run.
  • Art Style and Presentation: The game features a charming art style and good sound design, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere.
  • Simple Mechanics: The game is easy to understand and accessible for new players, making it a great pick-up-and-play option.
  • Regular Updates: Players appreciate the commitment of the developers to update the game frequently, adding new features and balancing issues.
  • Satisfying Progression: The compound interest mechanic and scaling systems provide a satisfying sense of progression as players build their kingdoms.

The main cons of the game

  • Lack of Challenge: A significant number of reviews mention that the game is too easy, especially at higher difficulty levels, leading to a lack of depth and strategic complexity.
  • Repetitiveness: Players report that the gameplay can become repetitive quickly, with many runs feeling similar after a short period.
  • Balancing Issues: There are complaints about the game's balance, particularly in late-game difficulty levels where enemies scale disproportionately, making it feel unfair.
  • Limited Card Variety: Some users express a desire for more cards and greater diversity in strategies, as certain cards feel underwhelming or overpowered.
  • Performance Issues: Several reviews mention lag and performance problems, especially in longer runs with many units on screen.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Enhanced Difficulty Options: Players are looking for better-balanced difficulty settings that prevent the game from becoming a simple power fantasy.
  • More Strategic Depth: Users desire more complex mechanics and strategies that would require thoughtful planning and execution rather than relying on luck or overpowered builds.
  • Customization Options: Suggestions for allowing players to customize card selections or difficulty modifiers to enhance replayability have been made.
  • Challenge Modes: Many players hope for the introduction of challenge modes or additional gameplay variations that would provide new ways to engage with the game.
  • Improved AI Mechanics: Some reviews highlight the need for better AI for enemy units and towers to make battles more engaging.

Summary

  • Overall, "9 Kings" is viewed positively for its engaging mechanics and charming presentation, but it faces criticism for its lack of challenge and depth, along with calls for improved balancing and additional features as it continues to develop in early access.

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