The Knightling Review – A Witty And Whimsical Playground

I have played every conceivable video game genre out there. From verified old-school classics to the shiniest AAAA adventure with the most cutting-edge technology. I have seen it all. And yet I am still consistently astounded by independent games every single time I play them. It could be a unique twist on an age-old narrative, inventive puzzle mechanics that leave your head scratching, or satisfying gameplay that could leave you playing for hours. I have seen a game like The Knightling before. But not presented like this. This is one of those gems that punches above its weight and succeeds.

The first element that stands out from The Knightling is its protagonist. As the eponymous sidekick, you do not start as the hero of the story. In fact, you are the shieldbearer to Sir Lionstone, who looks exactly as you are picturing him right now. Investigating a disturbance in a cave from a previous civilization, this sequence eases players into the gist of it. A, open world, third-person action adventure with clever puzzles and weighty combat. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

And so, our story begins as the famed knight goes missing. Only his powerful shield was left behind. You regretfully inform the queen of the bad news in the breathtaking land of Clesseia. Living in a society where knights are respected and knightlings are seen as lesser helpers, this is all the more reason for our protagonist to want to prove themselves. You can see they are young and naive. At the same time, they are trying their best, and isn’t that what we are all trying to do?

The Knightling, with its coy demeanor only set aside by the praise of their noble assistance of worried townsfolk, grows into their own fittingly. Your reticence soon becomes determination. While the narrative is about an amateur, in practice, the gameplay is anything but. Built upon nimble movement, your skills only grow over time: a slick parry, a special skill after enough energy is gathered, and filling a stun bar to cause devastating damage to the bandits in your way, to mention a few. Its precise but forgiving platforming works wonders once the controls are nailed down. Being able to slide down a slope with your shield is as fun as it sounds.

This is especially useful in the dungeons. The Knightling understands what an impactful and engaging gameplay feels like, and that is evident in the level design. Each proper dungeon with distinct mechanics utilizes each recently learned skill, such as the shield throw, to ingenious application. To end every incursion in a bombastic final boss with flashy Area of Effect attacks makes it all the more enticing to tie up the level nicely.

As a player of many open worlds, I found The Knightling‘s map size just perfect. The layout is dense enough to feel impactful at every turn without its rewards losing their meaning. To improve the shield, buying cosmetics or learning new abilities that you need to explore is fundamental. Certain enemies drop core components needed, while key artifacts at the top of the hill ensure not a single trek is wasted. Serendipity is ingrained in this game’s philosophy to the point that it is easy to happily get lost in it and feel satisfied by the end of your journey. It’s tight. It’s clever. Most importantly, though, is it is rich in whimsy.

What sets The Knightling apart from any game of its kind is undoubtedly its delightful compositions by Tumult Kollektiv. Stirring violins accompany the soaring winds as you glide throughout the lands of Clesseia, uplifting your spirits at every moment. At night, sensible oboes instill a sense of calm juxtaposed with inquisitive flutes. In combat, conversation, and cutscenes, every arrangement knows exactly how to cause the most emotional resonance. This is one of the year’s best video game soundtracks.

There are a few quirks, of course, like your snarky shield sometimes giving advice too frequently out in the open. The venom-spitting plants are perhaps a bit too aggressive. Or some NPCs that have repeated dialogues when trying to learn more about the lore. These small nuisances pale in comparison with what works, which is everything else. The world itself feels alive. Why do I mean by this overused description? Well, there are birds, critters, and people going about their lives. The day/night cycle opens up exclusive opportunities. To boot, the open areas react to your presence by creating wind currents, revealing a vibrant fantasy land.

Verdict

This game, like any other, has its limitations. That is exactly why it thrives: it has a campaign that can be finished in less than 15 hours, for one, with up to 30 doing side content. It does its best with what it has. It has no bloat at all, and every area is used effectively to throw you a curveball with a quirky side quest, puzzle, or fight. Even the combat that doesn’t have a lock-on button feels snappy once you get used to it. As developer Twirlbound’s sophomore entry, it’s clear where their influences lie, but triumphing beyond a homage is what should be recognized here.

I, for one, am grateful this game exists. It quickly proves that there is room for creativity in sandbox action-adventures where it seems to be lacking. Not every new video game that dares tread into the realm of The Legend of Zelda needs to be compared to its impossible status. A joyous medieval fantasy that recaptures the essence of fairy tales of yore without taking itself too seriously, The Knightling has a charm, wit, and ingenuity that knights can only dream of.

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