When we first heard about the tragic demise of Bulkypix last year, it led to much uncertainty surrounding the futures of many upcoming titles that were set to be released under the publisher’s moniker. Thankfully, the extremely promising Pocket Kingdom from developers 08 Games is one such game that has safely navigated the trials and tribulations of the past twelve months, and greatly impressed us when we first caught a glimpse of it at GDC in March of 2016. With a distinct pixel art style that is reminiscent of old Amiga games with a new modern flair, and some inventive puzzle platforming mechanics that make the most of a variety of items and obstacles that can be encountered, Pocket Kingdom looks like essential love letter to gaming’s past, and is releasing on June 15th for $2.99 on the App Store.
While its classic influences are an intrinsic part of its design, the resulting amalgamation that is Pocket Kingdom distinguishes itself not only from what has come before it, but also other similar games on the App Store. The puzzle elements, through the utilisation of numerous pieces of equipment and even gravity-flipping portals, are deceptively more complex than its block-pushing core may suggest, and over 80 levels should provide a lot of content within Pocket Kingdom. However, a non-linear world, secret pathways and hidden locations emphasise the expansive ‘kingdom’ element in the game’s title, and go some way to creating an immersive world that is so beautifully illustrated with the game’s graphical style. If it all comes together in one package, Pocket Kingdom is yet another release to add to 2017’s impressive line-up. Look out for the game when it launches on June 15th, and head by our forum thread for more discussion.
