pretty good!

Turn-based, roguelike-ish, RPG-ish hex-crawl. Most importantly, supports three-player couch co-op.

Only complaint is that saves don't seem to be transferable between couch co-op and online co-op.

For The King, developed by IronOak Games, is a refreshing and genre-blending title that fuses turn-based combat, procedural exploration, and tabletop-inspired strategy into a cohesive, engaging, and often punishing RPG experience. Originally funded through Kickstarter and released across multiple platforms, For The King is part rogue-like, part strategy game, and part cooperative board game—all wrapped in a charming, low-poly visual style that belies its considerable tactical depth and challenge. Whether played solo, locally, or online with friends, the game provides a thoughtful and unpredictable journey through a grim fantasy world on the brink of chaos.

The narrative setup is straightforward but effective: the king of Fahrul has been assassinated, and the realm is descending into disarray. With no one else to turn to, the queen calls upon ordinary citizens—blacksmiths, minstrels, herbalists, and more—to become unlikely heroes and restore order. This premise underlines one of the game’s most compelling qualities: you’re not controlling legendary warriors or mystical prodigies, but regular folks with limited resources trying to survive a world filled with ever-escalating threats. This sense of vulnerability creates a strong connection to your characters and makes every victory feel hard-earned.

Gameplay in For The King is turn-based and operates on a hex-grid map filled with towns, dungeons, enemies, and random events. Movement is governed by a character’s "focus" and stat-driven rolls, adding unpredictability to exploration. Combat is similarly reliant on dice-roll mechanics, with each action—whether an attack, skill, or ability—tied to a number of virtual dice. Success is determined by how many of these dice hit, and players can spend focus points to guarantee successes, adding a crucial risk-reward element to every encounter. This system captures the essence of a tabletop RPG without becoming bogged down in overly complex rules.

The blend of RPG progression, tactical combat, and procedural generation keeps each session of For The King feeling unique. Characters level up, acquire better gear, and unlock passive abilities, but permadeath always looms. When a party member dies, revival is possible through limited resources, but failure to maintain the group can result in a complete wipe. This difficulty isn’t arbitrary; it forces players to consider positioning, equipment synergy, and when to retreat or push forward. Each playthrough is a campaign rather than a persistent world, so success hinges not on grinding but on adapting to changing conditions.

One of the game’s strongest features is its wide variety of campaign modes and scenarios. The core adventure, "For The King," is just the beginning. Other modes like "Dungeon Crawl," "Hildebrant’s Cellar," and "Into the Deep" offer different win conditions, mechanics, and storylines, each with unique twists on gameplay. The modular campaign design ensures replayability and lets players choose how they want to engage—whether through short, intense sessions or longer, multi-hour expeditions. With unlockable content and an in-game Lore Store that allows players to purchase new classes, items, and encounters using a currency earned through gameplay, there’s always a sense of long-term progression, even in defeat.

The game's aesthetic is one of understated brilliance. The low-poly art style is clean, stylized, and surprisingly expressive. It feels like playing inside a handcrafted board game come to life. The animations are simple but charming, with just enough visual feedback to make combat satisfying. The world of Fahrul, while minimalist, is filled with atmosphere thanks to its varied biomes, dynamic weather effects, and moody soundtrack. Musically, For The King excels with a haunting and thematic score that enhances the sense of melancholy and danger that permeates the game’s narrative tone.

In multiplayer, the game truly shines. Cooperative play is turn-based and asynchronous, allowing players to explore separately or stick together for safety. This opens up a range of tactical possibilities and social dynamics as players debate whether to split the party for efficiency or stay united for survival. Communication and coordination become vital, especially when planning combat strategies, deciding who should carry healing items, or resolving encounters. The multiplayer pacing may not suit everyone—since players must wait for each other's turns—but for those who enjoy methodical, strategic play, it creates a slow-burning tension that is highly rewarding.

However, For The King does have its shortcomings. The reliance on RNG can feel unforgiving, especially early on, when a few bad rolls can doom a run. Difficulty spikes are common, and while they serve the game’s roguelike identity, they can also frustrate newer players unfamiliar with the mechanics. Inventory and gear management, while functional, can feel clunky due to the interface, especially when juggling multiple characters. Additionally, while the core gameplay loop is compelling, some players may find the campaign objectives repetitive after several runs, despite the procedural generation and scenario variety.

Yet, despite these issues, For The King manages to deliver a compelling and replayable strategy RPG that rewards thoughtful planning, risk management, and teamwork. It’s a rare example of a game that feels equally suited for solo players and groups, with a balance of strategy and unpredictability that keeps each run fresh. The blend of tactical combat, exploration, and tabletop inspiration results in a title that’s hard to put down once you’ve learned its rhythms. For players who enjoy games like Darkest Dungeon, XCOM, or tabletop RPGs, For The King is a worthy addition to any strategy enthusiast’s library—challenging, rewarding, and full of memorable adventures.

Rating: 8/10