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| Pictured - a still from the official Kingdoms of the Dump trailer, showing the Trash Can Knight facing a giant pile of garbage. |
We’ve been diving deep into expansive RPGs lately, from the vast worlds of IdleOn to the renewed ambitions of Guild Wars: Reforged. But not every role-playing game aims for epic, high-fantasy scale. Some simply want to invite you into a wonderfully weird world, hand you a strange story, and let you explore. Enter Kingdoms of the Dump, a game that launched on Steam last November and has quietly, steadily, begun to turn heads. After a solid exit from Early Access, it’s now carved out a spot for itself among Steam’s “Popular New Releases.” So, what’s the deal with this game where you play a knight in a trash can?
Welcome to the Lands of Fill: Garbage In, Adventure Out
In Kingdoms of the Dump, you step into the worn boots (or perhaps the dented base) of Dustin Binsley, the Trash Can Knight. The setting is the creatively grimy Lands of Fill, a world where everything—from bustling towns to fearsome enemies—is cobbled together from discarded junk and forgotten ideas. Your quest? To trek across five and a half bizarre kingdoms, battle the invading Toxic Grimelin Army, and bring order to the trash-heap realm.
A Nostalgic, Tactical Combat Mix
If you cut your teeth on classic RPGs, the combat here will feel like a comfortable, yet fresh, glove. Battles are turn-based and occur on small grids, making positioning a key strategic element. Thankfully, there are no frustrating random encounters; you see your foes in the environment before engaging. A neat twist is the ability to time your attacks for extra damage, adding a satisfying rhythmic pulse to fights. Exploration blends traditional RPG navigation with light platforming, and many players note the overworld evokes a charming Mode-7 SNES-era feel.
Progression isn’t just about leveling up. Each character boasts unique field skills—like climbing, breaking rusty barriers, or using gadgets to unlock new paths. This means backtracking and environmental puzzles are core to the experience, rewarding curiosity as much as combat prowess.
The Verdict from the Community: "Very Positive," Bugs and All
Priced at $19.99 (with a 15% launch discount bringing it to $16.99), the game has earned a “Very Positive” rating on Steam. Players are praising its heartfelt worldbuilding and combat that feels nostalgic without being stale. As one reviewer put it: “the game is a little rough around the edges, but it more than makes up for it with a lot of heart, a great story and endearing characters.”
Ah, those “rough edges.” It’s worth noting that several players report encountering bugs and a general lack of polish. Some experiences seem smoother than others, so if you’re highly sensitive to technical hiccups, it’s something to consider.
Why is a "Trash" RPG Succeeding?
So why is Kingdoms of the Dump climbing the charts? The answer is its undeniable charm and unique identity. This isn’t a polished universe of elves and dragons; it’s a world of soggy paper foes, towns built from old cans, and bosses made of broken toys. This inventive, out-of-the-box vibe stems from the developers' own journey—they crafted this labor of love while balancing day jobs, and that genuine, creative passion shines through in every dusty corner and witty line of dialogue.
And yes, for those who prefer to kick back, full controller support is included.
Ready to Explore the Dump?
If a quirky, heartfelt, and tactical RPG with a truly unique setting sounds like your next adventure, you can check out Kingdoms of the Dump for yourself on Steam. The community is growing, the developers are active, and there’s never been a better time to see what’s brewing in the landfill.
Find Kingdoms of the Dump on Steam | View stats on SteamDB
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