There’s no shortage of survival-crafting games in 2026, but every so often, one comes along that doesn’t just tweak the formula—it gleefully hurls it into the air, spins it around like a weapon, and asks, “What if building a kingdom felt like an anime power fantasy?”
Overthrown, developed by Brimstone and published by Maximum Entertainment, has officially left Early Access with its 1.0 release—and it’s clear that the extra time in development has paid off. What began as a quirky sandbox experiment has developed into one of the most chaotic, creative, and surprisingly deep co-op kingdom builders in the genre.
It’s not perfect. It’s messy, occasionally overwhelming, and sometimes outright ridiculous. But that’s also exactly what makes it work.
A Kingdom Builder with Superpowers
At its core, Overthrown is about building and maintaining a kingdom in a hostile wilderness. You gather resources, construct buildings, manage citizens, and defend your territory from threats like mutants and bandits.
So far, so familiar.
But Overthrown introduces a key twist: you’re not just a ruler — you’re a superpowered monarch wielding a magical crown that allows you to manipulate the world in absurdly powerful ways.
You don’t chop trees — you rip them out of the ground and throw them into your sawmill. You don’t carefully transport materials — you pick up entire buildings and relocate them mid-sprint. You don’t respond slowly to threats — you sprint across lakes at impossible speeds or spin through the air like a human tornado.
It’s this exaggerated, almost cartoonish approach to mechanics that sets Overthrown apart. Tasks that would feel tedious in other games become fast, kinetic, and genuinely fun.
Building a Kingdom, Your Way
One of the most refreshing aspects of Overthrown is its flexibility.
You’re free to build your kingdom however you like. There are no strict grid systems or fixed placement decisions. If you don’t like where something is, you can literally pick it up and move it elsewhere.
This freedom encourages experimentation. You can design efficient production chains, create sprawling settlements, or simply embrace chaos and rearrange everything on a whim.
The automation systems add another layer of depth. As your kingdom expands, citizens take on roles—farming, crafting, defending—and your role shifts from hands-on work to strategic oversight.
It’s a satisfying progression. At first, you’re doing everything yourself. Later, you’re managing a living, breathing system that operates (mostly) on its own.
The Chaos of Combat
While building and management are at the heart of the experience, Overthrown isn’t afraid to embrace action.
Combat is swift, dazzling, and unapologetically exaggerated. You’re not just swinging a sword—you’re propelling yourself into the air, spinning through enemies, and using your surroundings as weapons.
The game strongly embraces its “anime protagonist” vibe, and it succeeds. Fending off waves of enemies feels exhilarating, especially when coupled with your ability to manipulate the battlefield.
One of the more inventive mechanics is the capability to move enemy spawners. You can pick up a monster nest and drop it near a bandit camp, effectively turning your foes against each other. It’s a straightforward idea, but it introduces a layer of emergent strategy that sustains interest in encounters.
That said, combat can become chaotic—sometimes excessively so. With multiple enemies, effects, and players visible at once, it can be hard to follow what’s happening. It’s thrilling, but not always easy to read.
Survival Systems That Actually Matter
Beneath the chaos, Overthrown remains a survival game — and a quite challenging one at that.
Seasons have a significant impact, especially winter. You must stockpile food, manage resources, and ensure your citizens are ready for tougher conditions. Neglect these systems, and your kingdom can quickly collapse.
There is also an environmental factor to consider. Pollution from certain buildings can damage the land, making you think carefully about placement and long-term sustainability.
These systems add importance to your choices. It’s not enough to build quickly — you need to build wisely.
Co-op: Where the Game Truly Shines
While Overthrown can be played entirely solo, it’s clear that co-op is where it truly shines.
Up to six players can collaborate (or, occasionally, compete) to build and defend a shared kingdom. This shifts the experience completely.
Tasks can be shared, strategies coordinated, and the chaos of multiple powerful rulers interacting with the world produces moments that are both hilarious and exhilarating.
Of course, with that chaos comes unpredictability. Friends can accidentally (or deliberately) disrupt carefully crafted systems, causing frustration and laughter.
It’s not always smooth, but it’s almost always unforgettable.
The Airship Update: A Game-Changer
The 1.0 release introduces the “Airship Update,” which brings in aerial vehicles and new late-game maps.
Airships add a fresh layer to exploration and tactics. Moving across the world from above feels freeing, and it creates new opportunities for resource collection and combat.
The new maps offer fresh challenges for seasoned players, increasing the game’s lifespan and giving veterans more to enjoy.
It’s a significant update—one that makes Overthrown feel like a complete package rather than an Early Access trial.
Presentation: Rough but Full of Personality
Visually, Overthrown strikes a balance between stylised and somewhat rough. The art direction is bold and vibrant, with exaggerated animations that suit the game’s tone.
However, it’s not the most polished experience. There are occasional visual glitches, and performance can dip during particularly chaotic moments—especially in co-op.
The sound design is solid, featuring impactful effects that enhance the game’s kinetic feel. The soundtrack tends to be energetic and atmospheric, supporting both the action and the quieter management moments.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique, high-energy take on the survival-building genre
- Extremely satisfying and flexible building mechanics
- Creative use of physics and environmental interaction
- Strong co-op experience with up to six players
- Meaningful survival systems that add depth
- Airship Update adds valuable late-game content
Cons
- Combat can become visually chaotic and hard to read
- Occasional performance issues, especially in multiplayer
- Systems can feel overwhelming for new players
- Some rough edges and lack of polish
- Solo play feels less dynamic than co-op
Final Verdict
Overthrown is a bold, chaotic, and refreshingly creative take on the survival-building genre. It doesn’t just ask you to build a kingdom — it lets you throw it together, quite literally, with superhuman flair.
Though it’s not without its flaws, the sheer energy and flexibility of its systems make it stand out in a crowded field. Whether you’re carefully managing resources or launching yourself across the map to save your villagers, there’s always something happening.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s occasionally overwhelming.
But it’s also a lot of fun — especially with friends.
