- New title from indie studio Next Big Games… “Communicate or Fall into Chaos”
- Participation in Steam Next Fest 2026, release of free demo including update adding Queen character
Indie developer Next Big Games has officially released a free demo version and Steam wishlist for the physics-based cooperative platformer ‘Hold Your King’ .
Targeting a release in the second quarter of 2026, this is a unique cooperative game where players must carry a feisty king (including the queen added in the latest update) on a stretcher through a medieval parkour course. The developer’s stated theme is simple: “Communicate or fall into chaos.”
Cannonballs flew, and the king was furious… The beginning of an absurd story
The kingdom is under siege. A powerful cannonball strikes the palace balcony, sending the stubborn old king flying to a corner of the kingdom and landing at the feet of two bewildered players. Injury is irrelevant. The king immediately issues an order: “Move me to the throne!”
Players must navigate a parkour course carrying a king on a stretcher, dodging flying crossbow arrows, rocks, and cannonballs. At the same time, they must maintain their balance to prevent the king from falling. While the game may appear simple, maintaining cooperation and communication in such tense situations is by no means an easy task.
Cartoon-style medieval world and physics-based comedy direction
Hold Your King features bright, cartoonish visuals set in a medieval world. Real-time ragdoll physics of characters shaking, bouncing, and flying across a stage that combines medieval castles, parkour courses, and machinery creates unexpected situations.
The overall atmosphere of the game is intentionally designed to be comedic. Unpredictable sequences, such as the king rolling down a hill or falling into a river, create natural comedy. The real-time generated ragdoll physics and the nail-biting last-minute rescue scenes are content that streamers and content creators will enjoy.
Speed and balance are key… A unique physical system
The core of the game is the physics system. Velocity, acceleration, and rotational momentum directly affect the king’s balance. You must move by utilizing the laws of physics to the fullest extent, raising and lowering the stretcher and rotating it left and right.
A particularly notable element is the ‘Bonk’ system. You can calm the King down by lightly tapping him, but he might either be pleased or provoke even greater rage. The Queen character added in this update brings more weight and drama. Since the King has declared he will not go anywhere without the Queen, you will now have to appease both of them simultaneously.
Streamer-friendly design, online co-op for up to 4 players
Hold Your King supports online co-op play for up to four players. Players must maintain speed and balance while dodging obstacles, and a single mistake can cause the king to fall. The medieval obstacle course, filled with vibrating traps, collapsing platforms, and flying cannonballs, creates new tension and laughter in every round.
The released demo version is receiving a positive response from Steam users. Although the number of initial reviews is not large, it is generally receiving ‘Positive’ ratings and is garnering a favorable response as a ‘Patty-style comedy game that enjoys failure itself.’
In particular, reactions such as “It’s funnier with friends” and “The harder it is to cooperate, the more fun it is” have been dominant, with the intended chaos and the tension of cooperation being accepted as the core fun of the game. While some players have pointed out the difficulty of the controls and the trickiness of the physics system, the general sentiment is that these are also being accepted as part of the game’s identity.
Information regarding ‘Hold Your King’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Next Big Games |
| Genre | Physics-based cooperative platformer |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Scheduled for release | Q2 2026 |
| Maximum Player | 4-Player Online Co-op |
| demo | Free Steam demo currently released |
| Key Features | Real-time Physical Ragdoll / Bonk System / Dual King & Queen Management / Medieval Parkour Course |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
