{{short description|2017 video game}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}{{more citations needed|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Portal Knights | image = Portal Knights.png | developer = Keen Games | publisher = [[505 Games]] | platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[iOS]]}} | released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Microsoft Windows'''|{{Video game release|WW|18 May 2017}}|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|{{Video game release|EU|19 May 2017|NA|23 May 2017}}|'''Nintendo Switch'''|{{Video game release|WW|23 November 2017}}|'''Android''', '''iOS'''|{{Video game release|WW|6 December 2017}}}} | genre = [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]], [[Survival game|survival]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] | composer = [[Blake Robinson]] }}
'''''Portal Knights''''' is a 2017 [[action role-playing game|action role-playing]] [[video game]] developed by German developer Keen Games and published by [[505 Games]]. It was first released for [[Microsoft Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on 18 May 2017 and subsequently released for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[iOS]].
== History == ''Portal Knights'' was first announced by publisher 505 Games on 4 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/04/505-games-announces-sandbox-3d-rpg-portal-knights|title=505 Games Announces Sandbox 3D RPG Portal Knights|last=Macy|first=Seth G.|date=2016-02-04|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-date=2019-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035543/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/04/505-games-announces-sandbox-3d-rpg-portal-knights|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released into [[Steam Early Access]] on 25 February 2016.
The game left Early Access on 18 May 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.portalknights.com/en/forums/topic/we-leave-early-access-tomorrow/|title=We leave Early Access TOMORROW - Portal Knights|work=Portal Knights|access-date=2017-06-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628071911/http://www.portalknights.com/en/forums/topic/we-leave-early-access-tomorrow/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was also released for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] on the same day. It was later released on the [[Nintendo Switch]]'s [[Nintendo eShop|eShop]] on 23 November 2017,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/PortalKnights/status/931160059656196096|title=Portal Knights Twitter|work=Portal Knights on Twitter|access-date=2017-11-16|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042140/https://twitter.com/PortalKnights/status/931160059656196096|url-status=live}}</ref> and then through retail on 13 February 2018.<ref name="NL cites Switch retail">{{cite news|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/portal_knights_gets_a_retail_release_in_north_america_plus_chinese_new_year_content|title=Portal Knights Gets A Retail Release In North America, Plus Chinese New Year Content|last1=Reseigh-Lincoln|first1=Dom|date=February 13, 2018|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|accessdate=February 13, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073431/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/portal_knights_gets_a_retail_release_in_north_america_plus_chinese_new_year_content|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game's first mobile release took place on 6 December 2017, when it was released for both Android and iOS.
In January 2019, the game was featured as one of the free PlayStation 4 games for [[PlayStation Network#PlayStation Plus|PlayStation Plus]] subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/1065549/PS-Plus-January-2019-free-PS4-games-Steep-joins-PlayStation-Plus-Portal-Knights|title=PS Plus January 2019 FREE PS4 games countdown: Steep, Portal Knights join PlayStation Plus|last=Martin|first=Liam|date=2019-01-01|website=Express.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-date=2019-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035302/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/1065549/PS-Plus-January-2019-free-PS4-games-Steep-joins-PlayStation-Plus-Portal-Knights|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Portal Knights'' combines exploration and building elements with role-playing aspects. It provides a [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] sandbox environment, in which players can explore, fight monsters and build.
The player can craft items such as pickaxes, swords and tools to smash blocks, fight monsters, and construct elaborate buildings, armour and weapons. It shares many similarities with the game ''[[Minecraft]]'', both graphically and with the crafting and construction element.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/04/20/portal-knights-is-like-minecraft-meets-diablo-first-ps4-gameplay|title=Portal Knights Is Like Minecraft Meets Diablo (First PS4 Gameplay)|date=2017-04-20|website=IGN|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-date=2019-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035529/https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/04/20/portal-knights-is-like-minecraft-meets-diablo-first-ps4-gameplay|url-status=live}}</ref> The art style of the game was inspired by [[History of Eastern role-playing video games|JRPG]] games such as the ''[[The Legend of Zelda|Legend of Zelda]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/02/23/portal-knights-official-developer-insights-part-1|title=Portal Knights Official Developer Insights Part 1|date=2016-02-23|website=IGN|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-date=2019-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216094144/https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/02/23/portal-knights-official-developer-insights-part-1|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game can be played both alone and with friends, supporting online play with up to 4 players simultaneously in the same world.
There are three major bosses, such as the first boss, the Worm Boss, the Dragon Queen, and the Hollow King.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = PC: 72/100<ref name=mc-pc>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/portal-knights/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Portal Knights for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=2018-07-03 |archive-date=2018-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719205306/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/portal-knights |url-status=live }}</ref><br />PS4: 71/100<ref name=mc-ps4>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/portal-knights/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Portal Knights for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=2018-07-03 |archive-date=2018-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617152317/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/portal-knights |url-status=live }}</ref><br />XONE: 77/100<ref name=mc-xone>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/portal-knights/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Portal Knights for Xbox One Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=2018-07-03 |archive-date=2018-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621190337/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/portal-knights |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>NS: 74/100<ref name=mc-ns>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/portal-knights/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Portal Knights for Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=2018-09-25 |archive-date=2018-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009101525/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/portal-knights |url-status=live }}</ref> | PSQ = 7/10<ref name="PSQ">{{cite web |last=Marlow |first=Brandon |date=December 26, 2018 |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/portal_knights |title=Portal Knights Review (PS4) |website=[[Push Square]] |accessdate=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521223341/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/portal_knights |url-status=live }}</ref> | NLife = 8/10<ref name="NLife">{{cite web |last=Craddock |first=Ryan |date=December 4, 2017 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/portal_knights |title=Portal Knights Review (Switch) |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |accessdate=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521223341/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/portal_knights |url-status=live }}</ref> | TGMIt = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Dolce |first=Daniele |date=May 18, 2017 |url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/portal-knights/portal-knights-recensione-pc-ps4-xbox-one/ |title=Portal Knights - Recensione |trans-title=Portal Knights – Review |work=[[The Games Machine (Italy)|The Games Machine]] |accessdate=May 21, 2022 |language=it |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624024240/http://www.thegamesmachine.it/portal-knights/portal-knights-recensione-pc-ps4-xbox-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | NWR = 9/10<ref name="NWR">{{cite web |last=Keremes |first=David |date=December 4, 2017 |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/45933/portal-knights-review |title=Portal Knights Review |website=Nintendo World Report |accessdate=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521223343/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/45933/portal-knights-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | HCG = 4/5<ref name="HCG">{{cite web |last=Peeples |first=Jeremy |date=May 18, 2017 |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-portal-knights/256766/ |title=Review: Portal Knights |website=Hardcore Gamer |accessdate=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007102701/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-portal-knights/256766/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
''Portal Knights'' received "mixed or average" reviews for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Nintendo Switch]], and "generally favorable" reviews for [[Xbox One]].<ref name=mc-pc/><ref name=mc-ps4/><ref name=mc-xone/><ref name=mc-ns/>
David Keremes of ''Nintendo World Report'' praised the title's vibrant worlds, accessible [[Role-playing video game|RPG]] mechanics, amount of content, and multiplayer, while criticizing the constant item management and unexplained crafting mechanics.<ref name="NWR"/> Ryan Craddock of ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' lauded the pleasing art style, crafting options, and cooperative play while taking minor issue with finicky controls and long load times exclusive to the Switch port.<ref name="NLife"/> Brandon Marlow of ''[[Push Square]]'' praised ''Portal Knights''<nowiki/>' crafting mechanics, combat, and boss battles but deemed the stats system and reliance on RNG as the game's hindrances.<ref name="PSQ"/>
=== Awards === In December 2016, Deutscher Entwicklerpreis Awards 2016 selected ''Portal Knights'' as their choice for "Best Online Game 2016". The game was also nominated for Deutscher Entwicklerpreis' "Best Game Design", "Best Technical Achievement" and "Best German Game".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/all-winners-of-the-nbsp-german-game-developer-awards-nbsp-2016/0227523|title=All Winners of the German Game Developer Awards 2016|access-date=2017-01-09|archive-date=2017-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110015634/http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/all-winners-of-the-nbsp-german-game-developer-awards-nbsp-2016/0227523|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2017, ''Portal Knights'' received the "Game of the Week" award from ''[[TouchArcade]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/12/08/toucharcade-game-of-the-week-portal-knights/|title=TouchArcade Game of the Week: 'Portal Knights'|last=Nelson|first=Jared|date=2017-12-08|website=TouchArcade|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-date=2019-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216094115/https://toucharcade.com/2017/12/08/toucharcade-game-of-the-week-portal-knights/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
[[Category:2017 video games]] [[Category:505 Games games]] [[Category:Action role-playing video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Early access video games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Keen Games games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Open-world video games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Role-playing video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Germany]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]]