Kindo iOS review: a game for tactical immersion

iOS; £1.49; Space Bears; Release rate - 7 May

Having a game that, on the face of it, seems simple is a nervous tactic. Maybe it’s just me but when I hear simple iOS game, my body shrivels into a protective ball; ready to defend against free-to-play match-three. But Kindo is deceptive, it’s much more tactical and complex than its initial tutorial might suggest and you can play it quick-round or draw it out like a long thought-out chess match.

Kindo – originally named Kingdoms and developed by Paris-based Space Bears – is a game of capture-the-king. The studio describes it as ‘a medieval board game for the 21st century’ and that holds true. On a 5x5 board you and your opponent take squares and defend with fortifications until one manages to outsmart the other and tap on their king.

It’s a game that needs patience, which I think is my main reason for losing… a lot. You need to be wary of each move you take and ever-watchful of each move your opponent can take, whichever form they take – you can play online against other people around the world, you can play against an AI (which keeps beating me) or you can play against a friend on one device.

Not having adverts leads us on to Kindo’s fantastically reasonable price: £1.49 is little to pay to keep the game in its minimalist state and little to pay for a game that I’ve been playing on and off, in different beta forms, for months. I’ve convinced friends and family to play with me and everyone’s enjoyed it – it’s a game you can play with your neice or your granddad; or just something you keep on an iPad beside you while you should be writing articles.

It’s always exciting to see new ideas on iOS – a platform that’s had some of the best games I’ve played recently, Kindo included. Its elegance and sleekness fits perfectly with gameplay that makes you think (what a rarity!). Even if you’re not a fan of chess-esque strategy games, for the tiny price you might as well give it a try – if you go online, chances are you’ll be the next person beating me, in simple style.