Kingdom of Night

I dived into Kingdom of Night expecting a nostalgic echo of 80s teen-horror and I mostly got it — synths, neon, and a town that somehow feels lived-in and wrong at the same time. Friends of Safety built a cozy, isometric ARPG where you play John and work through an hour-by-hour nightmare to save Miami, Arizona from Baphomet’s rise. The game leans hard into its Stranger Things/Diablo mashup vibe: charming characters, serial-like side-quests, and loot that matters. That said, beneath the neon sheen are combat quirks and level-design choices (I’m looking at you, sewers) that will grate on some players.

Night Patrol: Walking the Neon Streets

Kingdom of Night plays like a classic isometric action RPG with a clear 80s horror movie soul: you move through Miami, Arizona hour by hour, talk to NPCs, pick up side stories, and clear demon-controlled sectors. As John (or a class you pick), most of your time is spent exploring neighborhoods, switching between a non-combat and combat stance, and juggling skill points as you level. Combat alternates between satisfying boss puzzle-fights and, unfortunately, repetitive mob encounters where button-mashing can feel tempting. Movement, sheathing animations and an auto-lock system can occasionally make melee feel awkward — several players noted that enemies hit from odd ranges or that weapon-swap interruptions slow down traversal. Exploration is the reward though: hidden gear, quest chains and the freedom to tackle Demon Generals in the order you want give the map purpose.

When Small-Town Secrets Bite Back

The class and progression design is where the game tries to shine: five classes (Barbarian, Knight, Rogue, Necromancer, Sorcerer) offer noticeably different playstyles, and the three-branch skill trees with ten talents each let you specialize or mix and match once you hit branch caps. Unique items range from stat-boosting boots to genuinely strange artifacts with active abilities, and the multi-tiered loot system means you’ll be hunting for that one odd drop that changes how you play. Magic feels distinct thanks to elemental combos and a spellbook for forgetful fingers, while melee branches split into different combat arcs so your Rogue run will play unlike a Barbarian one. Side quests read like serialized episodes — small, punchy stories that give the town weight and reward curiosity. Local co-op is a big plus: teaming up smooths over some combat roughness and makes exploration more fun.

A Synth-Powered, Pixel-Strewn Feast

Visually, Kingdom of Night leans into a pixel-art palette with solid sprite work and lovingly crafted set-pieces — the town feels lived-in, from the diner to the movie theater. The soundtrack is a highlight: synth-driven cues and moody tracks that set a consistently eerie tone. Performance on Windows (the supported platform) is generally fine, and the UI choices — like the backpack-as-menu — are delightful touches. That said, a frustrating chunk of players complain about the sewer maps which are visually grim and tedious to traverse, and some quality-of-life features (fast-travel, auto-lock, controller focus) are buggy or feel like they favor one input method. Overall, it’s a game with clear artistic identity, but the presentation is sometimes let down by design and technical hiccups.

Kingdom of Night is a heartfelt indie ARPG that nails mood, characters and exploration, even if its combat and level choices sometimes hold it back. Play it if you love 80s nostalgia, co-op nights with a friend, or Diablo‑style loot hunts with a horror twist. If you can tolerate a few rough edges—or wait for post-launch patches—it’s a rewarding ride; otherwise catch it on sale.