New RPG on Steam is What Happens If You Give Stranger Things a Diablo 4 Spin
Stranger Things fans looking for more of that 80s sci-fi horror goodness after the series finale have a variety of great options to fill the void, but one new Steam game might be the perfect option. Kingdom of Night, recently released on Steam, boasts a unique ARPG experience that blends features of games like Diablo 4 with a story, setting, and general vibe akin to Stranger Things. For players itching for a game that replicates all of these features, Kingdom of Night is the stylized Steam indie title that just might recapture Stranger Things’ small-town mystery feel.
Kingdom of Night promises players “an expansive, interconnected map and open-ended quests” that give them the freedom to unravel the main story as they please. Like Diablo 4‘s open world, Kingdom of Night‘s open, interconnected map lends itself to replayability, which is further supported by the game’s 5 different playable classes. With a story that combines cults, demons, the apocalypse, and rolls it up in an 80s aesthetic, Stranger Things and Diablo 4 fans will want to give Kingdom of Night a look.
Kingdom of Night’s Features at a Glance
- 80s-themed, isometric action-RPG
- 5 classes to choose from
- Interconnected map and open-ended quests
- A story that is a unique blend of coming-of-age drama, cosmic horror, and true love
- Local co-op for two players
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Kingdom of Night Takes Diablo 4’s ARPG Formula and Weaves it into a Stranger Things-like Story
Choose your class, customize your abilities, and battle nightmarish creatures as you collect unique gear in order to infiltrate the massive lairs of Demon lords that have taken over the town.
The Stranger Things inspiration behind Kingdom of Night is worn on the game’s sleeve. It trades Stranger Things‘ Hawkins, Indiana setting for the small town of Miami, Arizona, where players find themselves at the heart of a demonic invasion and the threat of the apocalypse. The visual style of Kingdom of Night has all the trimmings of a classic 80s movie, complete with a retro pixel art style and a logo that is reminiscent of Stranger Things.
Kingdom of Night’s Story Takes Players to a Strange Small Town in the 80s
The story of Kingdom of Night follows protagonist John through the town of Miami, Arizona, where a demonic cult has unleashed Baphomet into the world. Gameplay will lead players through the hour-by-hour actions of John during the night of this demonic invasion as he fights to save his friends and town from this demonic infestation. Fighting demons is nothing new for Diablo 4 fans, but doing it as an average Joe and not a member of the ancient demon-hunting society of Horadrim is something entirely different.
Like Stranger Things, Kingdom of Night Has a Distinct Dungeons and Dragons Flair
The RPG elements of Kingdom of Night feel right out of an 80s Dungeons and Dragons session, where a notebook is used to keep track of the player’s class and stats like a traditional pen-and-paper RPG. This design choice should help capture the attention of Stranger Things fans looking for more media that makes clever use of the popularity of Dungeons and Dragons during that era. Players will also notice Kingdom of Night‘s use of other 80s tropes, like the high school bully, jocks, nerds, and synthwave soundtrack.
Instead of Stranger Things‘ Vecna, Mind Flayer, and Demigorgons, John will have to fight against Baphomet and his army of demons led by Demon Generals. There is a wide variety of enemy types Kingdom of Night throws at players, including the cultists themselves and corrupted townsfolk. Uncovering the mystery behind this demonic invasion and preventing the end of the world also includes taking on side missions, which provide their own contained stories for players to enjoy.
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ARPG Enthusiasts Will Enjoy Kingdom of Night’s Skill Trees and Loot System
In terms of gameplay, Kingdom of Night features the best elements of ARPGs like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, albeit on a smaller scale. There are 5 classes for players to choose from, and each has its own unique Skill Tree and playstyle:
- Barbarian
- Knight
- Rogue
- Necromancer
- Sorcerer
Players aren’t locked into one playstyle with their chosen class either. Kingdom of Night‘s Skill Tree mechanics allow players to invest in 10 different skills across 3 tree branches. When players hit level 10 in one branch, they can hop over to another one to tailor their build to their preferred playstyle. Between 5 classes and 30 total Skill Tree talents per class, there is a ton of room for build experimentation across multiple different playthroughs.
Kingdom of Night is a Dream for Loot Goblins
It wouldn’t be an ARPG without the chase for rare loot, and Kingdom of Night delivers loot in spades. Not only do players have the chance to kit their character out with gear from enemy drops, but quest rewards and items hidden throughout the map can also contain useful gear. Loot also comes in a variety of rarities, ranging from commons to uniques like in Diablo 4. For players who love to grind for the perfect piece of gear for their build, Kingdom of Night has this mechanic on lock.
Like Diablo 4, Kingdom of Night Players Don’t Have to Slay Alone
Kingdom of Night doesn’t have to be enjoyed solo, either. The game offers local co-op for two players to work together in their quest to save Miami from Baphomet’s demonic invasion. While it doesn’t have the online 4-player co-op of Diablo 4, being able to slay together with a friend from the couch is a welcome compromise for players who miss the days of couch co-op games. Between this throwback feature and the retro aesthetics and setting of the game, Kingdom of Night is the ideal experience for old-school ARPG fans who want a dash of Stranger Things mixed in with their loot.