The Crystal of Kings

About

The Crystal of Kings is a side-scrolling brawler set in a medieval fantasy world where corrupt rulers and magic crystals drive kingdoms to war. Play as Cocco, a knight tasked with stopping the tyrant Nightspirit and his monster army. Combat is straightforward with melee attacks and special moves, supporting single-player or two-player co-op. Pre-rendered backgrounds look sharp for 2001 but the action feels more Golden Axe than advanced brawlers. A morality system tracks choices to alter the ending. The morality system is a rare feature in arcade brawlers, offering three endings based on in-game decisions. Reviews note co-op play is fun but combat lacks depth. A niche title with charm for those who enjoy classic beat ’em ups with light narrative elements.

Storyline

Once long ago, the land was governed by kings who wielded crystals, orbs of magic that rival the power of the gods. Amongst them was an ambitious man named Nightspirit, who grew corrupt with his crystal's power. Dubbing himself the Crystal of Kings, he unleashed a hellish army of monsters in an attempt to pillage the land's remaining crystals for himself. The just and elderly king of Estorea entrusted his country's crystal to his loyal knight, Cocco. He begs him to band together with the other kingdoms' warriors to destroy the evil tyrant.