Rampage Knights

Rampage Knights is a fast-paced, side-scrolling beat ’em up with roguelike elements, blending chaotic combat, randomized levels, and humorous splatter-style action. Players take on the role of a knight battling through dungeons filled with monsters, traps, and absurd weapons, either solo or in co-op, with each run offering unique challenges and rewards.

Rampage Knights: A Roguelike Beat ‘Em Up Masterpiece

Introduction

In the pantheon of indie games, few titles manage to blend nostalgia with innovation as seamlessly as Rampage Knights. Developed by the Czech studio Rake in Grass, this 2015 release is a love letter to classic beat ’em ups like Golden Axe and modern roguelikes such as The Binding of Isaac. With its procedurally generated dungeons, chaotic combat, and a healthy dose of humor, Rampage Knights carves out a unique niche in the gaming landscape. This review delves deep into the game’s development, mechanics, narrative, and legacy, offering a comprehensive analysis of why it remains a beloved title among fans of the genre.

Development History & Context

The Studio and Vision

Rake in Grass, a small indie studio based in the Czech Republic, has a history of creating quirky, engaging games. Founded by František Chmelař (also known as “Undead”), the studio’s portfolio includes titles like Jets ‘n’ Guns and Larva Mortus. Rampage Knights was conceived as a fusion of fast-paced beat ’em up action and roguelike elements, aiming to capture the essence of classic arcade games while incorporating modern procedural generation.

Early Development and Challenges

The game was first announced on March 8, 2013, with an initial focus on exploration and a more open-ended map structure. However, the developers soon realized that this approach led to player frustration. In a pivotal shift, they decided to make the game more linear, streamlining the experience to focus on the core combat and progression mechanics.

To fund the development, Rake in Grass launched an Indiegogo campaign and a Steam Greenlight campaign in June 2014. While the Greenlight campaign was successful, with the game being greenlit in just five days, the Indiegogo campaign fell short of its $10,000 goal, raising only about $400. This financial setback forced the team to strip down some of the planned features and focus on the essentials.

Early Access and Full Release

Rampage Knights entered Steam Early Access on March 27, 2015, allowing players to experience the game in its nascent form and provide valuable feedback. The full release followed on September 4, 2015, for Windows and macOS, with a Nintendo Switch port arriving in January 2019. The game’s development journey is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of indie developers, who often face significant challenges in bringing their visions to life.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Overview

Rampage Knights thrusts players into the role of a hapless hero trapped in a magical forest by a mysterious spell. The only path forward leads to a ruined castle, teeming with goblins, skeletons, demons, and other foul creatures. The hero’s mission is to descend into the labyrinth beneath the castle and confront its sinister master, breaking the curse that binds the land.

Themes and Tone

The game’s narrative is intentionally lighthearted and humorous, poking fun at classic fantasy tropes. The tone is set by the absurdity of the game’s world, where players can find health-restoring burgers, wield giant carrots as weapons, and even transform into a donkey-man hybrid after drinking a mysterious potion. This irreverent approach to storytelling is a breath of fresh air in a genre often dominated by serious, brooding narratives.

Characters and Dialogue

While Rampage Knights doesn’t feature a deep, character-driven narrative, it makes up for it with a cast of quirky, memorable characters. The hero’s journey is punctuated by encounters with eccentric NPCs, each adding to the game’s charm. The dialogue is minimal but effective, often delivering humorous one-liners that enhance the game’s lighthearted tone.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

At its heart, Rampage Knights is a beat ’em up with roguelike elements. Players traverse procedurally generated dungeons, battling waves of enemies and collecting loot. The game’s core loop involves exploring rooms, defeating enemies, and upgrading the hero’s abilities and equipment. The permadeath mechanic ensures that each run is unique, with players starting from scratch after each death.

Combat and Controls

The combat system is inspired by classic beat ’em ups like Golden Axe, with a focus on simple, responsive controls. Players can perform basic attacks, uppercuts, and area-of-effect swings, as well as roll to avoid enemy attacks. The combat is weighty and satisfying, with a strong emphasis on timing and positioning.

Character Progression and Classes

Rampage Knights features a variety of character classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. The Adventurer is the basic class, offering a balanced mix of offense and defense. Other classes, such as the Warlock and Pirate, introduce more specialized mechanics, like summoning demon pets or wielding dual weapons. As players progress, they can unlock new classes and abilities, adding depth and replayability to the game.

Loot and Equipment

The game’s loot system is one of its standout features. Players can find a wide variety of weapons, armor, and spells, each with unique properties. Some items are ridiculously powerful, like the Icicle sword, which freezes all enemies on screen when an enemy is killed. Others are more situational, requiring players to adapt their strategies on the fly. The randomness of the loot system ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

Multiplayer and Co-op

Rampage Knights shines in its cooperative multiplayer mode, which supports both local and online play for up to two players. The game’s difficulty scales dynamically, making it accessible for solo players while offering a challenging experience for co-op teams. The chaotic, fast-paced combat is perfectly suited for multiplayer, with players working together to overcome waves of enemies and bosses.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The game’s world is a fantastical blend of medieval castles, dark forests, and eerie dungeons. The setting is richly detailed, with each area featuring unique enemies and environmental hazards. The atmosphere is lighthearted and whimsical, with a strong emphasis on humor and absurdity.

Visual Direction

Rampage Knights employs a 2.5D visual style, with cartoonish graphics that enhance the game’s playful tone. The art direction is vibrant and colorful, with a strong emphasis on exaggerated character designs and animations. The game’s visuals are a key part of its charm, contributing to its overall appeal.

Sound Design and Music

The game’s sound design is equally impressive, with a dynamic soundtrack that complements the fast-paced action. The music, composed by Ján Dušek, blends medieval and modern influences, creating a unique auditory experience. The sound effects are crisp and satisfying, with each weapon and spell having distinct audio cues.

Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

Rampage Knights received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 80. Reviewers praised the game’s blend of classic beat ’em up action and roguelike elements, as well as its humorous tone and engaging combat. The game’s co-op mode was particularly highlighted as a standout feature, offering a fun and chaotic multiplayer experience.

Commercial Performance

While Rampage Knights didn’t achieve blockbuster sales, it found a dedicated fanbase among fans of the beat ’em up and roguelike genres. The game’s success on Steam and its subsequent release on the Nintendo Switch helped to solidify its place in the indie gaming landscape.

Influence and Legacy

Rampage Knights has had a lasting impact on the indie gaming scene, inspiring other developers to blend classic genres with modern mechanics. Its success has also helped to establish Rake in Grass as a notable indie studio, known for its innovative and humorous approach to game design.

Conclusion

Rampage Knights is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation, offering a unique and engaging experience for fans of beat ’em ups and roguelikes. Its chaotic combat, humorous tone, and engaging multiplayer mode make it a standout title in the indie gaming landscape. While it may not have achieved mainstream success, its dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim are a testament to its quality and appeal. For those looking for a fun, challenging, and endlessly replayable experience, Rampage Knights is a must-play.