I am always looking for a solid Indie RPG. Something that evokes the classics but doesn’t try too hard. That is actually a fairly rare occurrence, with games like Chained Echoes and Sea of Stars coming to mind. However, now I have played a hidden gem, something that I’ll be recommending to people for ages to come. Kingdoms of the Dump wears its inspirations on its sleeve, but does so in a way that isn’t obnoxious.

Kingdoms of the Dump is an RPG inspired by the SNES Golden Age of RPGs. It is set in the land of Fill, a garbage-themed world that is under threat from a toxic menace. You must help Dustin Binsley, the Trash Can Knight, fight this threat and save his world.

Immediately upon opening Kingdoms of the Dump, it oozes that classic style familiar to RPGs of yesteryear. The pixel art is meticulously designed, the characters are unique, and the mechanics feel familiar but not overly so. Each character in your party (which grows over time) has a unique ability that will help in progression. This reminded me of things like Earthbound or Wild Arms, both of which have a unique cast that feels necessary for the experience.

The combat is grid-based yet still has that same turn-based strategy that older RPGs did so well. Enemies can affect the tiles of the combat grid, providing environmental effects such as oil or water, which can be affected by abilities. You can take advantage of this too, and there is a level of careful movement that will require you to be aware of where your characters are.

If you’re looking for a point of reference for this, an Indie example would be Ikenfell, another game that I highly recommend. The combat feels just complex enough to be engaging, without being overwhelming. You have regular attacks, skills, items, and the equivalent of old-style Limit Breaks, called Boilpoint skills.

I love the combat, and I love some of the exploration. However, I do have one sticking point. There is a bit of platforming in the game, and to say it is floaty and slippery is… an understatement. I can count plenty of times where I would be trying to get a chest, only to end up missing a jump because the character just went slightly too far. It isn’t a deal-breaker that makes the game immediately frustrating, but it is noticeably annoying.

I’m not sure what else to say, really, regarding Kingdoms of the Dump. I love it. It is a great, warm hug in the form of an RPG. The storyline isn’t anything that will surprise you, but if you love RPGs of the SNES and early PlayStation era, then you’ll have a nice time with the Lands of Fill. Please don’t sleep on this one; it is absolutely worth your time.

A PC Review Copy of Kingdoms of the Dump was provided by Roach Games for the purposes of this review.

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Kingdoms of the Dump

$19.99 USD

9.5

Score

9.5/10

Pros

• Great Classic RPG Gameplay
• Fun Soundtrack
• Gorgeous Pixel Art
• Fun Concept
• Unique Combat

Cons

• Platforming feels a little floaty