In-browser game, Kingdom, is simple, seductive, and way better than clicking on cookies

Browser games are a dime a dozen. Cheaper, actually. And rare is the in-browser experience worth your mouse-clicking time. Kingdom, however, is worth every pointer finger you’ve got. I’ve been sneaking it at work for days now.

You start at the edge of your kingdom on a misty morning. It’s the first day. You’re the ruler of an 8-bit stretch of land cradled between two dark forests. On your trusty steed, you’re about to build your kingdom up from one (Population: You) up to as many servants as you can muster. Your servants can be archers or farmers. Archers defend your stronghold and hunt the surrounding landscape. Farmers harvest crops and build fortifications.

Surviving the night is the kicker. Troll meme-looking faces come sprinting out of the woodlands to “noodle away” your people’s loyalties and their coins. Some nights are blacker than others. Some trolls are as tall as your walls.

All of this is done with the arrow keys. You go left, you go right, or you press the down button. The down button, in context-sensitive areas, will either toss out a coin to peasants, bringing them into your fold; equip the smithies with bows or scythes; or indicate areas for your farmer-architects to raise walls.

It’s humble and it's wonderful. Play Kingdom now.