Knights Within is a third person shooter and melee hack&slash blend with rogue-lite elements. Design custom loadouts, navigate procedurally generated levels and utilize random power-ups. Either solo or with friends, can you survive endless waves of enemies to ensure humanity's survival?
Players praise the blend of third-person shooter and melee hack-and-slash elements, describing the melee combat as "heavy, meaty, and overall satisfying." Swinging a sword against enemies feels responsive and impactful. The ranged gunplay also receives acclaim, with players needing to play conservatively and manage ammunition, adding a tactical layer to the combat.
As players progress through a mission, the enemies they face become increasingly challenging, gaining "mutations" that alter their behavior and abilities. Reviewers appreciate how this rogue-lite element ensures that no two runs feel exactly the same, as players must constantly adapt their tactics to handle the escalating threat.
Between missions, players can unlock new weapons, armor, and abilities to customize their loadout and playstyle. Reviewers highlight how these upgrades and modifiers have a significant impact on gameplay, allowing them to tailor their character to their preferred approach. The depth of the customization system is praised, with players experimenting with different combinations of gear and abilities to find the most effective build.
The cooperative multiplayer experience is described as chaotic and exciting, with players needing to coordinate their abilities and loadouts to succeed. Reviewers state that the game scales the challenge accordingly, keeping the difficulty and excitement at the perfect level for teams of up to four players.
Despite being an early access title, the game is praised for its overall level of polish and responsiveness. Reviewers note that the animations, sound effects, and overall "crunch" of the combat feel satisfying and well-executed, especially considering the game is the work of a solo developer. The fluid movement and tight controls are also highlighted as strengths, allowing players to navigate the environments and engage in the frenetic action with ease.