Crown Gambit Review

Just finished Crown Gambit and wow — even though it’s only about 9 hours long, it was a fun journey. I loved the combat, the visuals, and the story (even if I only scratched the surface).

The story seemed pretty straightforward at first, but the characters are all connected in ways you don’t expect. After diving into the art book (which is way more than just an art book btw), I realized the whole thing actually runs deep. All I can say is — DAMN.

The Story & Choices

The story isn’t overly complicated on the surface, but every character feels tied into a bigger web. Even people who show up briefly can turn out to have larger roles or hidden connections.

The RPG elements let you shape your story—you can skip boss fights completely if you answer things a certain way, or you can just outright choose to fight them if you feel like it.

Sometimes they’ll ask and you can literally just say “yes” to fighting them.

Combat That Makes You Think

The combat was honestly one of my favorite parts. It’s challenging at times but never so hard that you’re stuck on one encounter. If anything, it’s on the easier side of things, but still keeps you on your toes.

I never really used the “amped-up” version of the cards (they’re handy when you’re in danger), mostly because the Ancestral Grace system made me hesitant. I really wanted to keep characters from doing things they wouldn’t normally do if they were calm and sober — especially in dialogues. I didn’t want them doing things I never told them to do, you know?

That said, I bet it would’ve led to some wild twists if I had used it more. Relics were a lifesaver for me so I never felt desperate enough to sacrifice my characters’ sanity. I also never destroyed any of the relics, which maybe would’ve given me a different outcome at the end of the game.

The Art Style

Let’s talk about the art. Just look at the characters you meet in Crown Gambit — they’re so f’ing good-looking. The art style is exactly what made me go grab The Blind Prophet and replay Hellslave by Ars Goetia. Both have amazing art, fun gameplay, and about the same length (I think I finished Hellslave in ~9 hours too).

What I’d Love to See

I’d really like to see combat expanded in some type of arena or gauntlet mode where you can just fight for the hell of it and experiment with different cards. The system is solid enough that it feels like it’s begging for a mode like that.

Is Crown Gambit A Good Game? Is Crown Gambit Worth it?

YES! Crown Gambit blew me away. Gorgeous visuals, super fun combat, and a story that’s way deeper than it first lets on. At only 9 hours, it’s an easy game to finish but one that sticks with you after. If you’re into games with striking art and meaningful choices, definitely give it a shot.

More Crown Gambit Screenshots

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