The Knightling Preview

We all know about the standard recipe for a fun adventure, but there’s always that secret ingredient that so few know about or know how to work with. However, out of so many studios out there, Twirlbound is one of the few that seems to have cracked that special extra that puts a game over the top.

This somewhat obscure Netherlands studio has been around since 2013, and while they have a small team, you can tell from their only release so far that they have big dreams. Their first release, Pine, was an open-world adventure with a lot of charm and was quite well received.

The real focus for today is on their latest creation, The Knightling, which is still in the works. Now, if you’re looking for a new adventure that’s just overflowing with charm and interesting gameplay, look no further because The Knightling has all that and so much more. The only downside is that it is still a work in progress, so it’s not quite ready for the world; yet. From what we were told, it’s coming real soon, and it just needs a bit cleaner to be sure it’s perfect.

As for the world of The Knightling, you’ll be taking on the role of a Knight in training or Knightling. Essentially, a child, and that in itself already comes with the frustration of being undermined and underestimated by every adult. Unfortunately, your legendary master, Sir Loinstone, left on a quest and left you with nothing more than an even more legendary shield, Magnustego (Or Magnus). As can be expected, even a knight in training can’t just idly while waiting for the defender of the Outskirts of Cleseia to one day return; there’s an adventure to be had!

With your trusty and somewhat ominous shield, you’ll get to set out to help the people of the Outskirts. Right off the bat, you’ll be introduced to the biggest aspect of The Knightling. The thing is that you don’t have a sword, bow, or any other form of weapon. You only have your shield, but its versatility is what makes it so interesting. Magnus is more than just a shield you can use to bash your enemies or use as a projectile; you can also ride it. That’s right; you can casually jump on your shield and sled around as long as you have enough momentum.

However, there is a slight learning curve when it comes to using Magnus for his mobility – Naturally, you’ll have the ability to sprint and double jump, but if you’re a fan of hitting the ground running with a sprint… You might be in for a rough time as your sprint also triggers the ability to ride your shield. This isn’t entirely a bad thing, but it can be a little frustrating in the middle of a fight if you’re aiming for fast dodges. Granted some button remapping later, and that issue becomes very quickly resolved while keeping combat as smooth as possible.

With all that said, you’re probably wondering what you’ll be fighting against besides bandits and other evildoers. Bandits are a threat on their own, but you’ll also have to deal with the weirdly adorable Miscreants and the not-so-adorable Earthborn because a bit of magic and whimsy is always a must-have for a release like The Knightling. But wait, there’s even more because the people you valiantly have to protect are a little odd in their own way.

The Knightling already goes out of its way to give you a unique semi-open-world adventure, but the unique touch comes when you look at the inhabitants of Cleseia. While most people look human, they all have a flare that makes each person you meet unique. It might not seem like much, or it could be a small detail when compared to everything else, but it’s those small details that add an extra layer to The Knightling. That, and the fact that literally everybody you meet is an adult and will, therefore, treat our fearless protagonist like a child (even though he is one).

That layer of frustration and how adults can easily undermine children isn’t limited to The Knightling; it’s also a real-world problem. Turning a real-life aspect like that into a plot point is an interesting choice that works so well with the story because you are playing the role of a child who has to prove himself to everybody around him. There is possibly some deeper meaning behind it all, but nobody likes spoilers, and you’ll have to discover it for yourself in this epic adventure.

Now, The Knightling already offers you a brilliant story and great mobility, and it seems there will be a massive world to explore, but you’ll have more than a basic moveset for Magnus. While your master is away, you’re still a knight in training, and you can’t start slacking off just yet, so you’ll need to expand your moveset with some Knight Academy training. Now comes the fun part; you’ll have access to a wide skill tree that can give you different attacks or add some extra punch to Magnus. Unfortunately, training doesn’t come cheap, and you’ll need to pay the piper if you want to make a difference.

The in-game currency in The Knightling is odd, to say the least, since you’ll have to collect Knightling Praise and Metal Parts. It is strange that you’ll need to spend Knightling Praise for training, and it is everywhere. Metal Parts seems to be for the Blacksmith, whose role is rather apparent. However, the Blacksmith will also help you upgrade Magnus with the ability to glide, for example, expanding your world even more, and it looks like much more is coming. Again, your shield will have many uses, and each one will just add to its legendary status.

Life in The Knightling keeps improving as you progress because aside from combat, there’s also a puzzle side to the world that you’ll need to keep in mind. The puzzles are simple at first but can become a little confusing later on. It’s best to keep an open mind and eyes when solving the puzzles. This is because you won’t give any hints or indications except for an area you need to investigate, adding a fun but challenging layer to the mix.

To save the best for last, you’re not bound to a single questline in The Knightling. You’ll still have your main story quest, but there are side-quests littered all over, and they’re a great way to learn a little more about the world at hand, even if it does mean just sliding around on your shield to entertain a kid (It’s harder than it sounds!). However, as with any great adventure, there are rewards to gain from helping the people, even if they don’t always deserve it.

This goes without saying, but The Knightling is still a little rough around the edges, even though it’s still in its early stages. It’s almost astonishing how well it runs already and how much detail there is in the world. You’ll still have what looks like your generic townfolk, but there are some unique designs mixed in, too. The Knightling doesn’t aim to blow you away with mind-melting detail or over-the-top textures. It aims to be approachable and fun, and it does exactly that without going overboard. On the other hand, you’ll still likely find yourself stopping at random places to admire the scenery.

Delving a bit deeper into an aspect of most games that is always so easily overlooked, we have to give some kudos to the music in The Knightling. No adventure is ever complete without some atmosphere to breathe everything to life, and there’s never a dull moment with how the background music shifts between calm while exploring and more upbeat for combat. However, there are times when it’s just quiet, and it’s not entirely clear if this is intentional or if it still needs to be fixed.

Overall, The Knightling might still be far from its release, but based on what we’ve seen so far, this is one adventure you’ll want to join in on. Things might seem a little silly at first, but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and life in The Knightling becomes a lot more fun as you progress. Besides, who can say no to a little fairytale magic combined with an epic underdog story?