Friendship is a treasure. We don’t often appreciate it enough, especially when we’re young and friends seem to materialize out of thin air in every classroom, playground, or part-time job. As time goes by though, many of us realize how hard it is to maintain those bonds. Especially for folks who love games. Whether it’s tabletops, looter shooters, or fighting games, playing with a friend or two makes the experience so much better. Making this happen IRL can be a challenge, but every now and then a game comes along that manages to capture the spirit of an in-person hang and deliver the camaraderie we crave.
For the King 2, now available on Xbox Game Pass, is just such a game. Sequel to 2018’s indie hit For the King, this follow-up does all the sequel-y things you’d expect. It retains the storybook RPG feel of the original, tasking players to form a band of adventurers in the kingdom of Fahrul out to thwart Queen Rosomon who has taken a mysteriously sinister turn. Along the way there are dozens of procedurally-generated side quests and distractions that will challenge even the heartiest traveller but this time the mechanics are deeper, the aesthetics more refined, and the journey more complex. And, crucially, it is a game that really comes into its own when you bring in your friends.
