Roguelikes are all the rage with Hades and Dead Cells sitting at the top of the pyramid. Turn-based games are making a comeback with Yakuza: Like a Dragon being the latest example of a brilliant implementation of the mechanic. Take the two mechanics, throw in a dash of Crypt of the Necrodancer along with some of the best cartoony style art design and you get Crown Trick. Throw it on the Switch and you have a near perfect game for on the go and when you have 5 to 15 minutes to kill.

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Crown Trick has you control Elle, a young girl who is drawn into the Nightmare Realm that is under threat of destruction and if it is destroyed, so is the waking world. Elle is a special child and only she can defeat the big bad and save all of reality, but to do so she needs the aid of a magical talking crown and the various powers that it confers. Neatly the crown acts as your companion and tutor in this world as you learn how to navigate the mazes and defeat the minions of the ultimate evil.



Mechanically, Crown Trick throws you into a series of dungeons and tasks you with making your way through them as you fight off enemies to reach the level boss. Each dungeon is procedurally generated and like Hades and other roguelike, is made up of interconnected rooms that change with each run. You are encouraged to explore each room as there are coins to collect from defeated enemies, chests to loot and importantly mini-bosses to defeat and tame as powerful special attacks. All of this is necessary for you to defeat the bosses.

Each dungeon is procedurally generated and like Hades and other roguelike, is made up of interconnected rooms that change with each run.

Battle is turn-based but triggered on movement, so think of Crypt of the Necrodancer sans the requirement of keeping to a beat. What this does is not put a timer on your battles, giving you the time and space to think and plan, but also making sure that you understand that every move counts. Think of it as a modified chess game where thinking three moves ahead gives you the advantage but also recognising your opponent’s strategy and pattern of movement and attack is just as important. It honestly takes some getting used to as we are so programmed to think of just our immediate reactionary move that must be proactive, and plan presents a whole new learning curve.



Normal enemies tend to be pushovers, the mini-bosses easy to suss out attack patterns and defeat them on the second run, but the bosses are insanely difficult. It took me three tries to get past the first boss! But this is to be expected, after all it is a roguelike, and this is what they are known for – crushing difficulty and repeated runs. Between runs you have the chance to upgrade various stats and even craft new items all to make that next run just a little bit easier and tease you with the possibility of defeating the level. The upgrade and crafting options are varied, and each brings their own pros and cons for you to learn about and discover their best uses. This adds a constant skill challenge for the player as you seek the optimal “build” for each run.



Crown Trick boasts a beautiful art style that belies the game’s skill level and difficulty. Just looking at it, you would make the erroneous assumption that it is a kid’s game, but like Celeste and other cartoony games, this is a tough game that rewards persistence. I love the inventiveness of the bosses and their unique designs and the common enemies too are beautifully drawn and animated. The broom enemies remind me of the brooms Mickey brings to life in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. They are less chaotic, but just as destructive.

Crown Trick is a game that will pass many by due to its artstyle and because it isn’t a huge studio game, but Team 17 and developer NEXT have created a charming and fun game that will challenge and delight you in equal measure.