Game:

Knights Within (2024)

Category:

Review

Duration: 42:48

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7

Knights Within is an Indie, Hack and Slash, Sci-Fi Action Roguelite where you’re a knight with a gun, who cuts down ghosts, in a Hack and Slash Combat system with strong Fortnite influences.
Yes, I said Fortnite.

Hack and Slash Combat, With Fortnite Influences:
Unexpected, but yes, the Fortnite influences here are strong.
Like in Fortnite, you have an energy shield at the start, which absorbs shots and AOEs coming your way.
Unlike Fortnite, melee cuts right through your energy shield here, so watch out for the slow blade warrior!

Knights Within has a stamina system present, drained by dodge rolling, sprinting, and block, but NOT attacking; very odd, and very similar to the pickaxe attacks in Fortnite; though, your melee is much more potent here!
There is a sort of perfect parry system present: quickly pressing block makes the stamina bar green, this is considered a parry, granting energy as opposed to costing it.

Also, as is usually the case with Fortnite as well, you have a rifle on you; a handy sort of solid and reliable ranged damage that lets you thin the herd and take out nasty ranged foes.
Unlike Fortnite, your hp also very slowly regenerates over time, super advanced cyborg knight that you are, but don’t rely on it, as you take damage fast if you don’t block those fast melee hits coming your way!

The movement in Knights Within feels good and snappy, but is sadly currently absent the sliding and mantling present in Fortnite; I guess it would make it feel too similar, or maybe it didn’t fit the idea of a knight in armor with a rifle.
Like in Fortnite, you move at the same speed while attacking as not; but you cannot sprint while attacking; fair, as it adds a cost to sprinting or trying to aim your shots.
Ammo is also limited here like in Fortnite, and you can find ammo in the maps; good, I like finding ammo.

Unlike most seasons of Fortnite, (until the augments make a return) Knights Within is also an RPG.
As you kill enemies in Knights Within, you lvl up; becoming both passively stronger, and gaining 1 random upgrade.
Also, clearing a beacon lets you pick 1 of 3 upgrades using glimmer, the within run currency.

So, the Fortnite influences in Knights Within really add a strong measure of resilience to the character, as pared with their active dodge, (which is not a default Fortnite ability, you need the special event Lightsabers for that), and very slowly regenerating hp, you have a Hack and Slash Action RPG Roguelite that gives you the tools needed to survive the hordes of ghost monsters packing nasty ghost magic coming your way.

The Meta Progression:
As an Action Roguelite, Meta Progression is a big component of Knights Within.
After each run, you get character lvl exp that unlocks tiers of Meta Progression used in the armory.
Lvl 2-3: to customize your rifle ammo
Lvl 4: to customize your sword
Lvl 6 until you even get a spear
Lvl 12 for the armor upgrades

There is also Meta Currency in the form of C; coins, M, and R, used to purchase upgrades, like piercing or explosive rounds on your rifle, new swords, armor upgrades; new active abilities; impactful stuff like that.

Controller Support is present, as is good old mouse and keyboard.
I went with mouse and keyboard in the above video, as I found it felt more accurate and responsive.

Online Co-op is present, in case that is something that interests you.

Note: This is an early look at Knights Within so any bugs or other oddness is not representative of the final product.
Still, Knights Within is a fun Hack and Slash, SciFi Action Roguelite where you’re a knight with a gun, who cuts down ghosts, in a Hack and Slash Combat system with strong Fortnite influences.
Wow.
Knights Within is easily well worth a wishlist and a watch.
Watch?
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2406180/Knights_Within/
#KnightsWithin #Roguelite #HackandSlash