Kingdom of Night Review

Video GamesReviews

Jan 27

Kingdom of Night blends 1980s nostalgia and cosmic horror into an atmospheric action RPG worth exploring.

*Kingdom of Night*. Credit: Friends of Safety / Dangen Entertainment

Friends of Safety and Dangen Entertainment’s Kingdom of Night is an ambitious action RPG that blends Stranger Things–style 1980s nostalgia with cosmic horror. The game transports players to Miami, Arizona, in 1987, where a botched satanic ritual transforms the quiet desert town into a demon-infested nightmare. The game succeeds through its strong atmosphere and exploration despite unremarkable combat.

You play as John, a teenager who wakes to discover his neighbor has been kidnapped. You must venture into the hellish streets to rescue friends while battling increasingly powerful demons in what could very well be the end of the world. The narrative structure effectively builds tension as the supernatural invasion spreads, bolstered by sidestories with memorable characters in optional quests.

The game plays differently depending on whether you go with a magic or melee class. Barbarians, Knights, and Rogues rely on close combat with stamina-based dodging and parrying, while Necromancers and Sorcerers use combinations of the controller face buttons for spellcasting. The game lets you pause the action to refer to the inputs, thankfully. Combat feels tight and responsive, though its design is unremarkable. Co-op gameplay is the most rewarding combat experience.

The game’s greatest strength is its large, interconnected world. Miami’s surface streets, interiors, and sprawling sewer systems form a genuinely explorable town that feels cohesive and alive. Bosses inhabit key locations and can be challenged in any order, alongside a wealth of side quests featuring locals with their own stories. The varied environments are rendered in vibrant pixel art that captures the look and feel of the 1980s while adding an eerie, surreal edge.

Kingdom of Night may not redefine action RPG combat, but its strong world design, evocative atmosphere, and engaging characters make it easy to recommend—especially for fans of 1980s settings and cosmic horror. If you can experience it with a friend, all the better.

Kingdom of Night is available now on Steam.