Tetris is great, but what if it had castles, armies, and the stress of managing a kingdom? Enter Drop Duchy, the brainchild of Sleepy Mill Studio and The Arcade Crew (The Last Spell, Infernax). It’s part puzzle, part strategy, and all kinds of medieval mayhem. Even better? You can try it right now because the demo just dropped on PC. The full game launches in April 2025, so you’ve got time to sharpen your block-stacking skills before the real challenge begins.
So, What Exactly Is Drop Duchy?
Every block you drop isn’t just a block. It’s land. Forests, rivers, plains, and the like are all at your fingertips, and it’s up to you to arrange them in a way that makes sense. But this isn’t your average city-builder. The land you create affects what kind of troops you can recruit and what resources you’ll have to fend off the enemies looming on your borders.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, a duchy is just a medieval term for a territory ruled by a duke or duchess. It’s like calling your kingdom fancy but with extra steps.
What’s in the Demo?
If you’re the type who likes to test the waters before diving in (or if your backlog is already out of control), the Drop Duchy demo is here to charm you. Here’s what you’ll get:
– A Taste of The Duchy Faction: In the full game, there’ll be three factions, but for now, you’ll lead The Duchy and get a feel for their perks.
– First Act Gameplay
– Difficulty Settings
– Achievements
The visuals are like a tiny diorama of your kingdom with charming, handcrafted vibes that make even your messiest mistakes look cute.
Why You’ll Love It
Drop Duchy takes the simplicity of block-stacking and throws in just the right amount of bedlam. Every run is a mix of puzzle-solving, strategy, and deck-building. You’ll start with a blank slate, place your blocks to create land, recruit soldiers, and pick which direction to take your kingdom.
There’s also a deck of 110 cards you can unlock, offering buffs and perks like bonus resources or new structures. It’s the kind of game where you’ll finish one run, lose spectacularly, and immediately start another because you know you can do better.
When Can You Play?
The full release is just a few months away, but the demo’s here to give you a taste. Head to Steam, download it and get a feel for your inner duke or duchess.
