Review: The Knightling

Developer – Twirlbound

Publisher – Saber Interactive

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series S|X, PS5 (Reviewed)

Review copy given by publisher

In an era where most action adventure games demand 80 hour commitments and bloated quest logs, Twirlbound’s The Knightling arrives like a breath of fresh air with its focused 20 hour adventure. This game wears its inspirations, particularly Zelda: Breath of the Wild, on its sleeve, but manages to carve out just enough of its own identity. While it stumbles in several key areas, there’s an undeniable charm here that makes it hard to dismiss entirely.

The story follows a simple premise that works precisely because it doesn’t try to be more than it is. You play as a young knight whose legendary mentor, Sir Lionstone, mysteriously vanishes during a routine patrol, leaving behind only his massive, sentient shield named Magnustego. What follows is a classic hero’s journey wrapped in medieval fantasy trappings, complete with a young protagonist who must prove their worth to a world that doesn’t take them seriously.

The narrative works best when it leans into the awkwardness of being a child thrust into adult responsibilities. Nobody expects much from the Knightling, and that underdog energy drives much of the emotional weight throughout the adventure. The relationship between the protagonist and Magnus provides some endearing moments, even if the talking shield occasionally veers into annoying territory. It’s competent storytelling that serves the adventure well without breaking any new ground.

Where The Knightling truly attempts to differentiate itself is in its shield focused mechanics, and honestly, this is where the game shines brightest. Combat revolves entirely around your oversized shield, which serves as weapon, tool, and transportation all rolled into one. The parry focused combat system demands precise timing and creates genuinely tense encounters, especially when facing multiple enemies. You’ll block incoming attacks, create openings through successful parries, and unleash devastating shield slams that feel satisfying when they click.

The real star, however, is the traversal system. Shield surfing down hillsides feels absolutely magical, capturing that same sense of joyful movement that made surfing in Breath of the Wild so memorable. The shield also serves as a glider for crossing gaps and rivers, and these mechanics feel fluid and responsive in ways that make simply getting around the world a pleasure. The upgrade system strikes a balance between meaningful progression and accessibility, with two distinct skill trees that never overwhelm but provide clear paths for growth. Unfortunately, the combat encounters themselves become repetitive quickly, with limited enemy variety that reduces most fights to the same patterns.

What I appreciated most was how exploration directly feeds into character development. Loot chests and currency pickups reward thorough exploration, while time trial races scattered throughout the world offer various levels of loot depending on your performance. The upgrade materials you collect can be taken to friendly blacksmiths who’ll enhance Magnus with new abilities like Captain America-style shield throws and improved surfing capabilities. 

Boss encounters deserve a mention too, as the larger boss characters retain the same quirky characterization as the main cast while providing legitimate challenges. These aren’t just damage sponges but require you to actually use the parry and shield mechanics you’ve been developing. Some of the later boss fights can feel a bit unfair due to the technical issues, but when they work properly, they provide satisfying tests of your growing skills.

Here’s where things get disappointing. The Knightling struggles significantly with performance on PS5, particularly during chaotic combat scenarios or when exploring densely populated areas. Frame drops are frequent and noticeable enough to disrupt the experience, especially frustrating given the precision required for the parries. Texture pop-in is common, and there are some genuinely bizarre bugs that occasionally dump you through the world geometry or leave you floating in midair.

These technical issues feel particularly egregious on PS5 hardware that should easily handle this type of indie experience. Respawn points are occasionally placed in dangerous positions that lead to immediate death loops, forcing you to sprint away from threats before you can get your bearings. None of this breaks the game, but it constantly reminds you this isn’t a AAA production.

The Knightling’s art direction is its strongest suit, presenting a world that’s both whimsical and beautiful. The world of Clesseia bursts with color and charm, from bustling town centers to mysterious forest regions where day and night blend together in perpetual twilight. The character animation is actually pretty impressive, especially considering the Knightling’s face is essentially just a pair of eyes peering out from under a hood. 

The varied environments, from sun-drenched fields to twisted underground caverns, maintain visual interest throughout the adventure. However, the technical limitations are evident too, with low resolution textures occasionally breaking the spell.

The soundtrack absolutely nails the fantasy adventure tone, delivering orchestral pieces that enhance both exploration and combat. Each region feels distinct thanks to thoughtful musical choices that reinforce the world’s atmosphere. The voice acting in cutscenes is competent if unremarkable, though the game’s choice to have most NPCs communicate through mumbled gibberish is somewhat charming.

The game sits in that frustrating middle ground where you can clearly see the vision and passion behind it, but the execution doesn’t quite match the ambition. Shield surfing down a mountainside while epic music swells is genuinely thrilling. The problem is that these highs are constantly undercut by technical issues, repetitive combat encounters, and a nagging sense that you’ve played this exact game before, just with better polish. 

The Knightling is a charming adventure that mostly succeeds despite its obvious limitations. While the technical issues and familiar structure prevent it from reaching greatness, there’s genuine heart here that makes it easy to recommend to anyone seeking a lighter, more focused alternative.