''Portal Knights'' is an

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action role-playing An action role-playing game (often abbreviated action RPG or ARPG) is a subgenre of video games that combines core elements from both the action game and role-playing genre. Definition The games emphasize real-time combat where the player h ...

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developed by Keen Games and published by 505 Games. It was first released on Steam on 18 May 2017 and subsequently released for PlayStation 4,

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, Nintendo Switch, Android, and

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History

''Portal Knights'' was first announced by publisher 505 Games on 4 February 2016. It was released into

Steam Early Access Early access, also known as alpha access, alpha founding, paid alpha, or game preview, is a funding model in the video game industry by which consumers can purchase and play a game in the various pre-release development cycles, such as pre-alph ...

on 25 February 2016. The game left Early Access on 18 May 2017 and was also released for PlayStation 4 and

on the same day. It was later released on the Nintendo Switch

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on 23 November 2017, and then through retail on 13 February 2018. The game's first mobile release took place on 6 December 2017, when it was released for both Android and iOS. In January 2019, the game was featured as one of the free PlayStation 4 games for

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subscribers.

Gameplay

''Portal Knights'' combines exploration and building elements with role-playing aspects. It provides a

multiplayer A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system ( couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...

sandbox environment, in which players can explore, fight monsters and build. The player can craft items such as pickaxes, swords and tools to smash blocks, fight monsters, and construct elaborate buildings, armour and weapons. It shares many similarities with the game ''

Minecraft ''Minecraft'' is a sandbox game developed by Mojang Studios. The game was created by Markus "Notch" Persson in the Java (programming language), Java programming language. Following several early private testing versions, it was first made pub ...

'', both graphically and with the crafting and construction element. The art style of the game was inspired by

JRPG While the early history and distinctive traits of role-playing video games (RPGs) in East Asia come Video games in Japan, from Japan, many have also been Video games in South Korea, developed in South Korea and Video games in China, in China. ...

games such as the ''

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'' series. The game can be played both alone and with friends, supporting online play with up to 4 players simultaneously in the same world.

Reception

''Portal Knights'' received "mixed or average" reviews for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, and "generally favorable" reviews for

. David Keremes of ''Nintendo World Report'' praised the title's vibrant worlds, accessible RPG mechanics, amount of content, and multiplayer, while criticizing the constant item management and unexplained crafting mechanics. Ryan Craddock of ''

Nintendo Life Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British mass media company based in Brighton. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and oth ...

'' lauded the pleasing art style, crafting options, and cooperative play while taking minor issue with finicky controls and long load times exclusive to the Switch port. Brandon Marlow of ''

Push Square Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British mass media company based in Brighton. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and oth ...

'' praised ''Portal Knights''' crafting mechanics, combat, and boss battles but deemed the stats system and reliance on RNG as the game's hindrances.

Awards

In December 2016, Deutscher Entwicklerpreis Awards 2016 selected ''Portal Knights'' as their choice for "Best Online Game 2016". The game was also nominated for Deutscher Entwicklerpreis' "Best Game Design", "Best Technical Achievement" and "Best German Game". In December 2017, Portal Knights received the "Game of the Week" award from

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References

{{Reflist 2017 video games 505 Games games Android (operating system) games Early access video games IOS games Indie video games Multiplayer and single-player video games Nintendo Switch games Open-world video games PlayStation 4 games Role-playing video games Video games developed in Germany Windows games Xbox One games