If you’d told me a year ago that a pixel-art roguelike deckbuilder about expanding a grid-based kingdom would be one of Steam’s early access hits in 2024, I’d have raised an eyebrow. But here we are-9 Kings has dropped into Early Access, and its blend of city-building, card-driven strategy, and auto-battler defense already has the genre faithful (myself included) buzzing.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Hooded Horse |
| Release Date | May 30, 2024 (Early Access) |
| Genres | Strategy, Roguelike, Deckbuilder |
| Platforms | PC (Steam) |
What immediately sets 9 Kings apart is how it merges the addictive deckbuilding of Slay the Spire with the satisfying empire expansion of games like Islanders or Dorf Romantik. Instead of shuffling cards to kill monsters, you’re laying down buildings, recruiting units, and prepping for waves of unpredictable invaders-then watching your plans play out in frantic, almost tower-defense style battles. It’s a mashup that shouldn’t work this well, but the execution is tight and surprisingly deep even in Early Access.
There’s a lot to chew on strategically: you pick from nine kings (hence the name), each with their own themed deck, but as you conquer rival kings, you can loot their unique cards to evolve your playstyle. The grid-based card placement adds a puzzle layer—do you expand quickly, or shore up defenses? Do you stack buffs now, or gamble for a stronger unit? And when the enemy’s at the gates, you get hands-on—aiming your castle’s catapults or activating support items. It’s more interactive than your typical deckbuilder and, crucially, rewards experimentation.
As someone who’s seen a lot of deckbuilders launch, flame out, or get lost in the shuffle, I’m honestly surprised by 9 Kings’ immediate traction. Over 8,000 concurrent players for a fresh indie strategy title—not pushed by a big streamer—is impressive. Even more so is the “very positive” 94% rating, which tells me the game isn’t just drawing clicks; it’s delivering an experience that’s sticking with people. Hooded Horse’s involvement is another green flag: after the open-world hit Manor Lords and the cult-fave Cataclismo, they’ve shown they know how to pick games that reward replayability and community feedback.
Is it perfect? No Early Access game is. Even with the positive buzz, I’m curious to see if 9 Kings can keep up its momentum once the novelty wears off and the meta settles. The pixel art is charming, but some might bounce off the visual simplicity. And as with any roguelike, balance tweaks will matter—especially when the “right” strategies start to emerge on Reddit and Discord. But the bones are strong, and for $9.74 (until June 6), the value’s hard to argue with if you love strategy experiments.
For gamers hungry for a new take on deckbuilding that doesn’t just copy Slay the Spire or Monster Train, 9 Kings offers something genuinely different. Its mix of tactical placement, puzzle-like planning, and on-the-fly adaptation feels fresh. The Early Access community is already buzzing, which bodes well for ongoing updates and balance tweaks. If you’re a fan of city-builders or strategy games and enjoy roguelike replayability, this is one to watch—and probably jump into while the launch discount lasts.
TL;DR: 9 Kings is a rare Early Access deckbuilder that’s already got strategic depth, strong publisher backing, and a playerbase hooked on its empire-building twist. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter card games, this could be your next obsession. Just expect some chaos—and keep an eye on how it evolves in the months ahead.
Source: Hooded Horse via GamesPress
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