There comes a time in every popular indie genre, especially retro revivals, when the number of titles becomes overwhelming. Metroidvanias, boomer shooters, and Vampire Survivors-like games are just a few examples. As an enthusiastic fan, I believe that first-person dungeon crawlers reminiscent of King’s Field, or the recent trendsetter Lunacid, have reached this saturation point. However, the upcoming game Queen’s Domain stands out among the crowd.
We recently showcased Queen’s Domain during the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted, and its aesthetics left a strong impression. The visuals feature a crunchy, dithered style, yet the art and assets are beautifully crafted— a deliberate lo-fi presentation that feels intentional.
Unlike typical medieval or renaissance-themed games, Queen’s Domain takes place on a tropical island, adorned with ancient, moss-covered ruins reminiscent of Mayan cities, calling to mind the Ruins of Rauh from Elden Ring. The music is equally captivating, blending euphoric, PS2-style sounds with primal percussion and eclectic instruments, creating a nostalgic yet refreshing experience.
While we gained insight into its visuals and music from the trailer, the reveal also included a demo. Unfortunately, the demo ends just as things get exciting, yet it suggests immense potential. Exploration and atmosphere stand out, and I found the combat to be surprisingly engaging once I adjusted.
Initially, the fighting felt familiar, typical of many first-person RPGs: approach an enemy, attack, and back away. However, Queen’s Domain introduces two key mechanics that enhance the experience, especially during my second playthrough of the demo.
One feature is a throwing weapon system based on cooldowns rather than ammunition, indicating that magic spells might operate similarly in the full game. Players wield both a melee and ranged weapon simultaneously, adding strategic depth. The throwing knives are satisfying to use, delivering a rewarding “thwack” on impact, and the animation allows for smooth combos with the game’s other mechanics.
There’s also a melee dash attack that propels you in your facing direction, enhancing movement options. While it renders the charged melee attack less useful, the dash adds a fun element that distinguishes Queen’s Domain from other games inspired by King’s Field. During my playthrough, I often dashed past enemies while attacking them, creating engaging combat scenarios that felt rewarding.
The demo culminates in a boss fight with a large skeleton enemy, who has slow but deliberate attacks. The dash ability becomes essential, allowing me to attack while avoiding incoming damage. Timing and positioning are crucial, as the game removes invincibility frames during the dash, adding a layer of skill and movement mastery to the experience.
While the demo ends with this boss encounter, I now see the potential in the combat mechanics of Queen’s Domain. The game creates an intriguing atmosphere worth watching as its release approaches, although no release window is available yet. Players can wishlist it and try the demo for themselves on Steam.
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