Queen’s Domain launched on October 30, and its early hours suggest it could be one of the strongest first-person Metroidvania-style games in years. The game begins as a dark-fantasy RPG reminiscent of FromSoftware’s King’s Field series, but takes a major turn after its first boss.
That encounter rewards players with Endu, a magic sword that grants an aerial dash. Its arrival transforms exploration, opening up vertical routes and hidden paths that can feel like sequence breaks. Special gems add extra midair dashes, expanding how far players can travel and which areas they can reach.
Endu is part of a broader weapon system. Weapons improve through use and can change as they are upgraded, while players shape their approach by choosing which weapons to upgrade and assign to a limited set of hotkeys. The game does not use stat allocation when characters level up, encouraging experimentation instead.
Another weapon, the Caestus, offers a different way to navigate. Its uppercut attack launches the player into the air, making it useful both in combat and as a way to reach otherwise inaccessible places. Exploration can lead to surprises and rewards, according to the hands-on account.
The game’s opening, before Endu becomes available, may test some players’ patience. But the contrast between being grounded and gaining new movement abilities makes the sword’s impact more pronounced. Its cryptic atmosphere, expansive views and movement-focused level design also invite comparisons with Metroid Prime, while its backtracking appears set to be less frustrating.
Queen’s Domain is available on Steam for a launch price of $17, reduced from a listed price of $20. A full review is still to come.
Sources: PC Gamer.