Mercenary Kings

Mercenary Kings is a side-scrolling 2D run-and-gun action game with role-playing and crafting elements.

The story follows the Mercenary Kings, an elite group of soldiers sent to reclaim Mandragora Island after it is overrun by the criminal organization CLAW. Once the site of a secret government research facility, the island has become a warzone filled with heavily armed soldiers, mutant creatures, and experimental technology. The player takes the role of one of two operatives, King or Empress, tasked with rescuing hostages, recovering stolen research, and dismantling CLAW’s operations one mission at a time. Between missions, the Kings return to their base camp, where engineers, scientists, and fellow soldiers help them rebuild their strength and improve their arsenal.

Gameplay is mission-based, combining exploration with action-platforming. Each mission begins from a central base, where players accept assignments with specific objectives such as eliminating key targets, collecting resources, or rescuing allies. Unlike traditional linear shooters, levels are large, interconnected maps that encourage exploration and backtracking. Missions are timed, requiring players to manage routes efficiently while dealing with waves of enemies and environmental hazards. Movement and combat take inspiration from classic arcade shooters, emphasizing precision and timing. Players can aim in eight directions, perform melee attacks with combat knives, and use grenades or special equipment to clear obstacles or deal area damage.

One of the game’s defining features is its deep weapon crafting system. Materials gathered from enemies and mission objectives can be used to build and customize firearms across multiple categories, including pistols, assault rifles, and shotguns. Each weapon is composed of interchangeable parts such as barrels, receivers, and magazines, affecting attributes like accuracy, rate of fire, and reload speed. Experimentation allows for hundreds of unique combinations, enabling players to tailor their loadout to their preferred playstyle. In addition to crafting, consumable items like healing rations, traps, and shock bombs can be created at the base to support different tactical approaches.

Progression follows an experience-based structure, unlocking new missions, equipment, and areas as the player completes objectives. Enemies increase in difficulty as the campaign advances, requiring better gear and faster reflexes. The base itself acts as a hub between missions, where players can interact with NPCs who provide side quests, weapon upgrades, and humorous dialogue. The non-linear mission design allows players to revisit earlier levels to collect missing materials or complete optional challenges.

Mercenary Kings supports both single-player and cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, playable locally or online. In co-op mode, players share mission progress, resources, and revive one another when downed.

The Reloaded Edition expands the original release with additional playable characters, new weapons, improved balancing, and various quality-of-life adjustments.