Nanokings — Fight, Die, Learn, Repeat
Runic Dices Entertainment brings Nanokings, a roguelite RPG they describe as Hack'N'Hell. It throws you into Mykrafjordur, a harsh new world born from the ashes of our old one. You begin as prey, hunted across volcanic ashfields and frozen ruins, scavenging lost technology and tribal relics just to survive. Everything wants you dead, and death is part of the curriculum.
The core loop is simple and ruthless. Descend into danger, scavenge what you can, face mutated beasts and rival Viking tribes, and then strike alone when you are stripped down to steel. Expect to die a lot. Every death unlocks new bits of progression and teaches you how to refine your approach.
Two Combat Flavors: Reverse Bullet Hell and Hack'n'Slash
Nanokings mixes two distinct combat styles so each run can feel different. In some areas you get Reverse Bullet Hell action where positioning and dodging swarms of projectiles is key. In other places you shift into more direct Hack'n'Slash encounters, travelling through caves, crypts, and portals that demand up-close skill and timing.
Enemies come in waves and varieties. Mutated animals act on primal instincts to tear you apart, while enemy Viking tribes send everything from disposable pawns to chieftains who lead their forces. Weapons, items, and attachments are randomized across runs. You pick up new gear from quests, by killing foes, and by destroying totems, so each entry into a stage forces adaptation.
Roguelite Progression and the Brotherhood System
Runs are meant to be brutal but meaningful. After each outing you unlock parts of your skill tree and grab new power-ups. The right combinations of upgrades build stronger, more specialized survivors who can push further into Mykrafjordur.
Nanokings also adds a social layer with the Brotherhood System. Complete quests and convince other Vikings to join your tribe to expand your roster of playable characters. Each Viking brings different options for how you approach combat and survival, and the game leans into experimentation between runs.
Worldbuilding: Várenheim, Runik Dagaz, and Augmented Survival
The setting wears its Norse inspiration openly. Long after humanity's fall the planet has reborn as Várenheim, where animals mutated into monstrous forms and humanoid tribes rose from the wreckage. Tribes rediscovered Nordic artifacts and revived myths, and survival has turned many into hybrids of flesh and metal. Augmentations like metallic arms and legs are common tools for endurance.
You play as a member of Runik Dagaz, Vikings chosen for their ability to revive after death. That resurrection trait makes you uniquely qualified to defend your people from both mutated beasts and hostile tribes. The story is less about a single hero and more about survival of a people in a hostile, changing world.
Nanokings looks aimed at players who enjoy tight, repeatable runs and a blend of reactive and mechanical combat. If you like learning through failure, building unusual power combinations, and recruiting rough-edged allies to your cause, it might be worth keeping an eye on Runic Dices Entertainment's volcanic, ice-scarred playground.
