Amazon Games has taken a surprising turn with the release of “King of Meat,” a departure from their usual hardcore RPG offerings like “New World” and “Lost Ark.” Developed by Glowmade, “King of Meat” is a playful co-op dungeon crawler that combines elements of “LittleBigPlanet” and “Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout.” Despite its departure from their previous games, “King of Meat” shows promise as a multiplayer charmer that could appeal to a broader audience.
Dungeon crawling
In “King of Meat,” players are part of a reality competition show where teams of four venture into dangerous dungeons to collect loot and entertain the audience. The gameplay loop involves clearing dungeons, spending loot on cosmetics and upgrades, and repeating the process. The game is a significant milestone for Glowmade, with industry veterans leading the project and drawing inspiration from diverse sources like WWE, “The Running Man,” and “Labyrinth.”
The gameplay offers a unique mix of combat, traversal, and teamwork, with each dungeon presenting new challenges for players to overcome. The combat mechanics are simple yet engaging, and the progression system keeps players invested in trying out different strategies and weapon types.
Getting creative
One of the standout features of “King of Meat” is its robust creation suite that allows players to design their own dungeons and challenges. Drawing inspiration from games like “LittleBigPlanet” and “Super Mario Maker,” the creation mode offers endless possibilities for players to create and share their levels with the community.
Despite being a premium game, “King of Meat” aims to offer a complete and satisfying experience without relying on microtransactions. The game’s success will depend on its ability to attract and retain a dedicated community of players who can leverage the creation suite to keep the game fresh and engaging.
With its unique blend of gameplay, creative tools, and multiplayer charm, “King of Meat” has the potential to carve out a niche in the competitive gaming market. Whether it can stand out and capture the attention of players remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Amazon Games is taking a bold step in a new direction with this exciting project.
“King of Meat” is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.