In a moment of gloriously paradoxical symmetry, 9 Kings now has, at long last, nine kings.
Hooded Horse and Sad Socket have officially unveiled the newest and perhaps most mind-bending monarch yet: the King of Time. This enigmatic ruler from the future doesn’t just arrive to claim a throne; he arrives to claim all of them.
With his debut, the roguelite deckbuilding strategy embraces full-time-bending chaos, as the King of Time steps through a portal from the far reaches of reality to become the self-proclaimed King of Kings.
Described by developers as a multidimensional gentleman with a penchant for temporal mischief, the King of Time brings a unique twist to the game’s evolving strategic landscape.
His kingdom exists on the fringes of time, blending fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk aesthetics into a single surreal dominion. His deck mechanics reflect that, focusing on timing and tempo.
Certain cards reward quick, aggressive play, while others favor deliberate, tactical pacing. But what truly sets him apart is the ability to time-travel, allowing players to rewind to earlier stages of their run and re-engage the past with the knowledge (and cards) of the future.
This temporal loop mechanic doesn’t just upend the game’s structure; it breaks it in the most exciting way. For seasoned players, it offers a layer of high-level strategy and meta-gaming. For newcomers, it’s a fresh kind of chaos that encourages experimentation and replayability in ways few deckbuilders dare to explore.
The update also delivers several long-requested features. Most notable is the new Rainbow perk, which allows players to ban specific Kings from appearing during a run, giving them more control over their gameplay experience.
Alongside this, balance adjustments have been made to existing cards, and various quality-of-life improvements have been introduced to streamline UI navigation and deck management.
With the King of Time now in play, 9 Kings finally lives up to its name in the most literal sense. But the developers are quick to note that this isn’t the end, just the beginning of a new chapter.
Future updates are already in the works, including new modes, expanded lore, and community-driven features. The timeline may be disrupted, but the roadmap ahead is as ambitious as ever.
In even more exciting news, 9 Kings has been nominated for Best Early Access Game at the upcoming 43rd Golden Joystick Awards, which will be held in London next month. Voting is open now through October 31, giving fans a chance to show their support for one of the most creative and compelling titles in indie gaming today.
Since its launch, 9 Kings has continued to win over players, sitting at a 92% “Very Positive” rating on Steam with over 12,000 reviews. The game is available now in Early Access for $19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99 / ¥1,980.
Whether you’ve been waiting to dive in or looking for a reason to return, there’s never been a better, or stranger, time to play. Just be prepared: with the King of Time now in the mix, even the past might not stay where you left it.
