Games nowadays seem to have transformed into roguelike deckbuilders, but I've discovered a handful that have successfully changed my negative perception towards them.
In the ever-evolving world of video games, deckbuilders have become a popular genre, offering strategic gameplay and the thrill of building and refining a deck. Recently, three deckbuilding roguelike games have caught the attention of gamers: 9 Kings, The King is Watching, and Watch On Drop Duchy.
Fraser, the UK online editor with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry, has been delving into these games. He finds 9 Kings to be a fun and unique addition to the deckbuilder genre, praising its blend of auto-battler combat, deck-building card mechanics, and spatial city-building elements. The game also incorporates features of a tower defense roguelike, with strategic placement and management of units to survive waves of enemies.
9 Kings stands out for its multifaceted roguelike experience, where each king has a bespoke deck, and players can acquire cards from other themes during gameplay, creating a variety of potential builds. The pixel-sized troops in the game are adorably brutal, tearing through enemy warriors and god-like beings. However, managing limited space in the grid is always a concern as players strive for the most efficient and powerful layout.
Meanwhile, The King is Watching, currently in early access, presents a unique thematic take on the deckbuilding roguelike genre. Although specific details weren't found in the search results, the game's title suggests a focus on strategic narrative choices or kingdom management. Fraser has expressed that he is currently enjoying the game, despite not having completely figured out how he feels about it.
Watch On Drop Duchy offers a distinct experience, combining Tetris and strategy games into a kingdom-building roguelike deckbuilder. Instead of clearing tiles, the satisfaction comes from creating a line, but it gives a resource bonus and adds to the player's inventory. Buildings have prerequisites relating to the land around them, making the game reactive and requiring strategic placement. Enemy tiles are also placed by the player, and each confrontation is a direct result of the player's actions.
The King is Watching, also in early access, shares similarities with 9 Kings but lacks its brisk pace. Long runs without the ability to save can make the game feel less engaging. However, it likely involves strategic deckbuilding combined with roguelike progression, with possible narrative or kingdom management layers suggested by its title and genre context.
In conclusion, each of these games offers a unique and engaging experience within the deckbuilding roguelike genre. Whether you prefer the multifaceted roguelike experience of 9 Kings, the strategic narrative choices of The King is Watching, or the Tetris-meets-strategy gameplay of Watch On Drop Duchy, there's something for every deckbuilder enthusiast.
- Fraser, noting the blend of various elements in 9 Kings, is praising its unique mix of deck-building card mechanics, auto-battler combat, spatial city-building elements, and tower defense roguelike features.
- Pixel-sized troops in 9 Kings, despite their small size, are presented as adorably brutal, causing destruction on the battlefield against a variety of opponents.
- With each king having a unique deck and players acquiring cards from various themes during gameplay, 9 Kings offers a variety of potential deck builds.
- In Watch On Drop Duchy, players can combine Tetris-like gameplay with strategy, creating a line to earn resource bonuses and add to their inventory, while strategically placing buildings and enemy tiles for a more engaging experience.
