Game: Knights of the Round Peg
Genre: Action, Arcade
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Boomzap Inc
Controller Support: No
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $TBC | UK £TBC | EU € TBC
Release Date: To be announced
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Boomzap Inc.
Knights of the Round Peg: A Medieval Twist on a Classic Formula
Knights of the Round Peg is a puzzle game that pays homage to the beloved Peggle series while infusing its own medieval flair into the formula. This game blends addictive gameplay mechanics, strategic aiming, and visually charming aesthetics to create an engaging, if somewhat familiar, experience. If you’re a fan of the original Peggle or enjoy casual puzzle games with an arcade feel, Knights of the Round Peg will likely be a welcome addition to your collection, even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel.
A Medieval Peg-Busting Adventure
The core mechanics of Knights of the Round Peg closely mirror those of Peggle. The objective of each level is straightforward: clear all the red pegs to progress while using blue pegs to rack up higher scores. Unlike Peggle, where players can choose from different characters with unique powers, Knights of the Round Peg opts for a streamlined approach by providing a consistent set of power-ups found on the board itself. This change keeps gameplay simple and easy to jump into, but it may disappoint players who enjoy the varied strategies of character selection in Peggle.
Power-Ups and Strategic Opportunities
Power-ups in Knights of the Round Peg are embedded directly into the gameplay, adding strategic layers to each shot. For example, hitting a yellow peg triggers a bomb-like effect, activating all surrounding pegs and creating a visually pleasing chain reaction that can help clear challenging sections of the board. Purple pegs provide an extra ball, which can be a game-saver when you’re running low on shots or want to extend your combo potential. And, of course, the game features portals, the new gaming buzzsaw. Hit a ball in the yellow one, and it will exit out of the blue one higher up. These power-ups and level features are critical for achieving high scores and navigating trickier levels that feature tightly clustered red pegs or complex barriers.
One unique feature that sets Knights of the Round Peg apart is the addition of flippers at the bottom of the screen, reminiscent of pinball machines. These flippers offer a fun way to keep balls in play longer and introduce a reactive skill component that Peggle doesn’t quite emphasize. Timing the flippers just right can mean the difference between securing a high score and watching your ball fall into the abyss.
Bonus Mechanics and the Drumming Finale
At the very bottom of each level, you’ll find an ornate medieval drum with various slots, each offering different bonuses. When your ball lands in one of these slots at the end of its path, you can activate a range of rewards, such as a score multiplier or an extra ball. This addition provides a touch of excitement at the conclusion of each shot as you hold your breath and hope for a favourable outcome.
Landing a ball in the right slot can be especially rewarding and keeps gameplay dynamic. It serves as a fun gamble that adds anticipation to every level, giving players an extra incentive to strategize their shots carefully. The feeling of watching a ball teeter toward a high-score slot is particularly satisfying and contributes to the game’s replayability.
Medieval Aesthetics and Soundtrack
Knights of the Round Peg boasts an art style steeped in medieval influences. The pegs, flippers, and overall level design are adorned with motifs that evoke castles, knights, and ancient crests, making for a visually charming experience. The backgrounds are rich with details like dragons, banners, and heraldic emblems that reinforce the medieval theme.
Accompanying the visuals is a soundtrack that perfectly complements the era. The music features lutes, drums, and orchestral elements that evoke the feeling of a grand medieval court. The sound effects are also appropriately chosen, with the satisfying clinks and thuds of balls hitting pegs adding to the immersive atmosphere. However, while the game’s artistic choices and sound design are solid, they don’t significantly impact gameplay, serving more as an aesthetic boost rather than a transformative element.
Room for Innovation
While Knights of the Round Peg is an enjoyable experience, it doesn’t stray far from the formula that made Peggle so popular. The lack of character choice and unique abilities can make the gameplay feel slightly repetitive over extended sessions, as players don’t have the opportunity to experiment with different strategies that character powers would provide. While the flippers and bonus drum at the bottom of the screen add a fresh twist, they may not be enough to fully differentiate the game from its older competition.
The game is best suited for players who crave the tried-and-true mechanics of peg-busting action and don’t mind a lack of substantial innovation. That said, it still provides a fun, low-stakes way to unwind and enjoy strategic gameplay in bite-sized chunks.
Conclusion: Medieval Good Time
Knights of the Round Peg is a decent entry in the casual puzzle game genre. While it doesn’t bring much new to the table compared to Peggle, it’s still a satisfying game for fans of peg-busting mechanics. The medieval art style, engaging power-ups, and added flippers make it worth a try, especially for those looking for a new take on a classic formula. If you’re looking for a fun way to pass the time with a bit of medieval flair, this game will suit you well, even if it won’t completely surprise you. A free demo is available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like it 
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