KingFish: A Unique Co-op Roguelike That Blends City Building and Action RPG

Introduction

City builders have a special place in many gamers' hearts. The satisfaction of laying out roads, zoning districts, and watching a thriving metropolis emerge is unmatched. But not everyone shares this passion. Some friends prefer the adrenaline rush of combat, slashing through enemies and leveling up their characters. What if there was a game that allowed both styles of play simultaneously, in the same session? Enter KingFish, a co-op roguelike that daringly marries city building with action gameplay, letting one player manage the city while the other takes on hordes of foes. This innovative design creates a dynamic partnership where each player's role is distinct yet interdependent, offering a fresh take on cooperative gaming.

The Core Concept: A Split-Screen of Genres

At its heart, KingFish is a cooperative roguelike that splits its gameplay into two complementary halves. One player assumes the role of a city builder, responsible for constructing and upgrading buildings, managing resources, and expanding the settlement. The other player takes on the mantle of an action hero, exploring procedurally generated environments, engaging in real-time combat, and collecting loot. The twist? Both players share the same game world and progression, and their actions directly affect each other. The city builder's decisions can provide the action player with better equipment or safe zones, while the action player's discoveries can unlock new buildings or resources for the city.

This asymmetric partnership ensures that no two sessions play out the same. The city builder must adapt to the action player's needs, constructing armories when combat gets tough or building walls when enemies threaten the settlement. Meanwhile, the action player must venture out to gather rare materials that are essential for advancing the city's technology tree. The result is a gameplay loop that encourages constant communication and strategic planning, turning what could have been two separate games into a single, cohesive experience.

How the Co-op Dynamic Works

One Player Builds, the Other Fights

In KingFish, the division of labor is clear from the start. The city builder player spends their time in a top-down view of the settlement, placing structures like houses, workshops, and defensive walls. They must manage resources such as wood, stone, and gold, balancing expansion with the need to maintain infrastructure. The action player meanwhile sees the world from a third-person perspective, exploring caves, forests, and ruins. Their primary goal is to defeat enemies, gather loot, and complete quests that reward the city with blueprints or rare materials.

The two players do not exist in isolation. The building player can see the action player's location on a mini-map and can even construct teleporters to help them travel faster. Conversely, the action player can send back materials that instantly appear in the city's inventory, allowing the builder to start new projects without waiting. This synergy creates a satisfying rhythm: the builder expands the city's capabilities, the fighter pushes back the frontier, and both feel the tangible impact of their partner's efforts.

Balancing City Management and Combat

One of the most intriguing aspects of KingFish is how it prevents either role from becoming too dominant. The city builder cannot simply turtle behind walls; the roguelike nature of the game means that each run carries permadeath for both players. If the action player dies, the city suffers a major setback, possibly losing all collected resources. If the city is overrun by enemies, the run ends entirely. This forces both players to remain engaged. The builder must occasionally divert resources to upgrade the fighter's gear, while the fighter must prioritize survival over reckless exploration.

The game also introduces shared progression across runs. Unlocks earned in one session—such as new building types or weapon recipes—persist, giving a sense of long-term growth. This roguelike meta-progression ensures that even failed runs contribute to future success, keeping the experience fresh and rewarding. The city builder and action player work together not just moment-to-moment, but across multiple playthroughs.

Why KingFish Appeals to Different Playstyles

The genius of KingFish lies in its ability to cater to two very different player motivations within the same game. One player can indulge their passion for strategy and management, carefully planning the city's layout and resource production. The other can satisfy their craving for fast-paced action, enjoying the visceral thrill of combat and the satisfaction of discovering hidden secrets. Neither player feels left out because both contribute meaningfully to the shared goal: building a thriving city and surviving the dangers of the world.

This design also bridges a common gap between friends with differing tastes. Instead of forcing one player to compromise, KingFish allows each to do what they enjoy while still playing together. The cooperative element creates a unique bond: the city builder cheers when the fighter defeats a boss, and the fighter feels pride when their loot enables a new city upgrade. It's a win-win scenario that many co-op games strive for but rarely achieve.

What Sets KingFish Apart from Other Roguelikes

Most roguelikes focus on a single player or a group of characters all playing the same game. KingFish breaks the mold by introducing a role asymmetry that changes how players interact. In traditional roguelikes like Hades or Dead Cells, the goal is personal progression through combat. Even in co-op roguelikes such as Risk of Rain 2, all players share the same objectives and playstyle. KingFish, however, creates a divide in responsibility that requires trust and coordination. The builder must trust the fighter to gather crucial resources; the fighter must trust the builder to provide a safe haven.

Another differentiator is the dual-perspective gameplay. The city builder sees the big picture from above, while the action player experiences the world up close. This split-screen effect—whether on a shared display or across online connections—gives each player a distinct visual experience that reinforces their role. The builder feels like a mayor, the fighter feels like an adventurer, and together they form a complete gameplay loop that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Conclusion

KingFish represents a bold experiment in cooperative game design, successfully blending two beloved genres into a single, cohesive adventure. Whether you're a city-building enthusiast, an action game lover, or simply someone looking for a new way to play with friends, KingFish offers something unique. Its emphasis on role-based cooperation and shared progression ensures that both players feel valued and engaged. If you've ever wished you could bring your city-building hobby and your friend's combat obsession together, KingFish might just be the perfect compromise—and a fantastic game in its own right. So grab a partner, choose your side, and prepare to build and fight your way to victory.