Kingdom of Fallen: The Last Stand

For many fans of video games, the invasion of ‘Soulslike’ games has been almost impossible to ignore. The genre has grown arms and legs in recent years, resulting in games from all forms of perspectives and styles that look to build on the iterations left by FromSoftware. DigitalSouls’ next release, then, Kingdom of Fallen: The Last Stand, looks to build on the foundations left behind by some of the most important modern games.

This game takes much of its inspiration from Souls-inspired titles but also has a hefty inspiration from the deluge of crafting games out there today. The result is a game built around a chase for a lost family member where you need to get creative along the way. From creating your weapons to building a character that can eventually help you claim the secrets of the land, this is a title with a lot of potential.

Does it live up to its potential? We will find out in full in May 2024, but for now, there is much excitement about the Kingdom of Fallen: The Last Stand.

Sandbox Souls

To some, that header might sound like a nightmare. Survival games are a dime a dozen, as are games looking to build on the confusion and challenge of Souls-like titles. To some, it would be easy to compare Kingdom of Fallen: The Last Stand to something like the Ark games, or even something like The Forest. However, the game builds its kind of atmosphere that makes it engaging and enterprising in its way.

The game has a basic enough premise: your kingdom is about to essentially end, and you are one of the last remaining members. You are transported through cosmic means to a new land, and you are missing someone very important to you: your daughter. To save your daughter, you are going to need to fight your way through the bizarre enemies who litter the landscape of this odd world.

Kingdom of Fallen: The Last Stand brings some interesting survival elements together, helping you craft your little output while you battle to build the weapons and armour needed to venture further into the world. In many ways, the best comparison would be something like Valheim. The gameplay loop is very similar: build, explore, expand, upgrade, and defeat bosses until you reach the end of the game.

An Interesting If Generic Concept (7.5/10)

What we have seen of Kingdom of Fallen: The Last Stand so far is an intriguing game, but it would be hard to say that it does anything too different from the norm. The world does contain some NPCs and quests to take on, but the world can feel somewhat empty and lonely at times.

Pros

• An interesting concept with an easy-to-follow gameplay loop
• Engaging gameplay that is addictive and enjoyable
• Fair difficulty spikes make progression feel attainable yet enjoyable

Cons

• Lacks the innovation of the games that have inspired it