King of Meat preview (PC)

Amazon Games has been making a notable push into the gaming world, and King of Meat is one of their most accessible and fun-looking projects yet. Developed by Glowmade, this colorful co-op brawler throws players into a chaotic and vibrant survival gameshow set in the mystical world of Loregok. With a mix of cooperative combat, user-generated content, and plenty of customization options, it promises a unique blend of creativity and action that could stand out in the crowded multiplayer space.

What we know

King of Meat is a fast-paced, multiplayer-focused game that merges action, dungeon building, and creative chaos. Players take on the role of Contenders in a high-stakes survival gameshow, where the goal is to conquer creatively designed dungeons filled with traps, puzzles, and monsters. The game is set in a colorful fantasy world and features a co-op component where players can join forces to tackle various challenges. What sets King of Meat apart is its deep customization system, allowing players not only to personalize their characters with flashy outfits and weapons but also to create their own dungeons, which others can then play through. The game is coming to PC, with no other platforms confirmed yet. Its mix of combat, creativity, and humor should give it a wide appeal, as it offers both cooperative and competitive modes.

What we saw

We got hands-on time with King of Meat during a session with Amazon Games at Gamescom. In this preview, we played several rounds alongside other journalists, diving into different levels and exploring the game’s mix of combat mechanics and dungeon-crawling features. The demo allowed us to experiment with various gameplay elements, from fighting off monsters to checking out a few different dungeon designs.

What we thought

From our time with the game, it’s clear that King of Meat puts fun front and center. The game’s vibrant and colorful art style immediately stands out, giving the fantasy world of Loregok a whimsical and lively feel. With its playful design, the game sets a lighthearted tone, even though its gameplay focuses on survival and combat. The co-op combat felt satisfying, especially when coordinating with others to defeat a variety of quirky monsters, though it’s easy to see how the fast-paced nature of the action could lead to chaotic moments where things become a bit overwhelming.

One aspect we really enjoyed even though we didn’t really get to play around with it was the customization. The ability to create your own dungeons means no two sessions will feel the same, keeping the gameplay fresh as players test out each other’s creativity. The game encourages both challenge and humor – using outrageous traps and silly dungeon designs to mess with others adds a fun layer to the competition. However, the longevity of this user-generated content could be a hit or miss, as some games that rely on player-created experiences have struggled to maintain lasting appeal.

Where King of Meat shines is in its accessibility. Amazon Games seems to be aiming for a broad audience, and King of Meat is one of their most accessible titles to date, with easy-to-pick-up controls and a focus on fun rather than intense skill requirements. However, it remains to be seen if it can sustain long-term interest, as games in this genre tend to be a bit divisive in terms of replayability. With Glowmade’s creative vision and Amazon’s resources, though, there’s a good chance that King of Meat will find an audience that appreciates its blend of fast-paced action and creative freedom – and we’re hoping to also see some cross-platform play for this one.