9 Kings: A breath of fresh air for Rogue Likes

9 Kings, developed by Brazilian studio Sad Socket, launched on May 26, 2025, and has taken the indie scene by storm. Created by childhood friends Rafael Melo and André Young, this fast-paced roguelike kingdom builder mixes strategic city construction with card-based combat, offering a fresh spin on a crowded genre.

Players choose from nine unique kings, each with distinct decks of cards for buildings, units, and spells. From humble villages, players expand into mighty citadels, battling rival kings with strategic card combos. The King of Nothing suits beginners with balanced mechanics, while the King of Greed thrives on gold-based strategies, and the King of Blood leverages unit sacrifices for power, ensuring varied playstyles.

The game’s reception is stellar, boasting a 92% "Very Positive" rating from over 6,000 Steam reviews and selling 250,000 copies in its first week. Critics praise its chaotic combos and pixel art, with Rock Paper Shotgun calling it “a roguelike city builder that’s an excuse to launch rocks at people.” Some players note balance issues with certain kings, but updates are addressing concerns.

9 Kings stands out by blending roguelike replayability with kingdom management and deckbuilding, evoking Slay the Spire and Dofus but with a unique city-building twist. Its depth and charm make it a must-play for strategy fans, proving indies can shine globally.