The Crown of Kings

Inkle

Rank: #5 / 6
Released: 2016
Studio: Inkle
Genre: interactive fiction, role-playing video game, adventure video game

At a glance

The Crown of Kings is an interactive narrative adventure from Inkle, set in a hand-drawn 3D world of monsters, traps, and magic. Players explore a cursed Citadel, infiltrate the Fortress of Sorcerers, and shape a personal story through choices the game remembers. Disguises can change how characters respond, while discovered spells and different forms of magic add further ways to approach the adventure. The story can branch toward multiple endings, with secrets to uncover and enemies including guards, merchants, mutants, and undead. It also includes Swindlestones, a bluffing game, and draws on Steve Jackson’s gamebook series. Steam lists it as an adventure, indie, and RPG title with single-player and Family Sharing. The listed platforms are Windows and macOS. Players can begin here or continue an adventure from Part 3.

Who it is for

It suits players who like choice-driven fantasy stories, exploration, and role-playing elements. Fans of interactive fiction or the gamebook series may also find its branching narrative appealing.

What is good

Choices are remembered and shape the story
Explore a hand-drawn 3D world
Disguises influence character reactions
Multiple endings and hidden secrets

What to know first

Single-player only
No controller support is listed

Verdict

The Crown of Kings puts exploration and remembered decisions at the center of its fantasy adventure. Its disguises, magic, and branching outcomes give narrative-focused players several ways to shape a run.