Below the Crown, the turn-based tactics roguelite that blends chess with magic, is gearing up for Linux and Steam Deck support, alongside Windows PC. Thanks to the brilliant and ever-creative minds at Misfits Attic, who bring fresh ideas. It is out now on Steam Early Access.
If you’ve ever wished your chessboard could explode, catch fire, or sprout a demonic queen with a taste for chaos, then Below the Crown is about to rock your world.
From the mind of Tim Keenan and the award-winning crew at Misfits Attic (the geniuses behind Duskers), comes a love letter to chess, roguelikes, and the dark thrill of dungeon crawling. And it’s out today, launching on Steam Early Access for Windows PC with a demo. But there are plans for native support too.
Yes, we’re hoping for a Linux version.
Since this is an Early Access release, consider it a soft release. But there’s good news for Linux. The lead developer at Misfits Attic actually runs Linux, and while Below the Crown only “sorta works” on the platform right now, support is clearly in the works. On the Steam Deck, the game already runs, though there may be a memory leak the team is ironing out. Built in Unity, just like their hit Duskers, this turn-based tactics roguelite is steadily shaping up to run smoothly across all systems.
However, due note, this isn’t your grandpa’s chess. Below the Crown takes the classic game of kings and smashes it together with spell-slinging, party-based strategy. There is also that weird psychological flavour that makes you question if your wizard hat is whispering secrets.
Below the Crown: Gameplay Trailer
You play as a Wizard, commanding a ragtag army of chess-inspired heroes: Bishops, Knights, and maybe even a Mad Queen. And the Queen who looks like she’s had one too many mana potions. Together, you’ll venture into a dungeon that changes every run. It is filled with traps, treasures, and enemies who think checkmate means “you’re toast.”
The best part? You don’t have to be a chess master to dominate. You can out-think your enemies with perfect tactical maneuvers. Alternatively, just wing it with fireballs and frost explosions until the room stops moving. The game rewards clever moves, bold risks, and the occasional bit of reckless magic.
Between Below the Crown runs, you’ll collect magical runes to crank up the challenge level. You can unlock new skills and spell cards. Customize your loadout for the next dive into madness. The replayability is through the roof, since each dungeon crawl feels fresh and unruly.
The Ecosystem
And this isn’t a lonely grind. The devs have built a community-driven ecosystem. Here, you can share custom boards, compete in challenges, and watch replays of top-tier Wizards showing off their brains and spells. You can even post your most glorious victories for others to drool over. Or dive into weird, glitchy “psych evaluations” that hint at the game’s deeper mystery. So join the games Discord.
Below the Crown is chess meets Stranger Things, a dark, glowing, ‘80s sci-fi atmosphere where every move is due to feel like a mix between genius and madness.
As Tim Keenan himself puts it: “Executing complex, multistage moves is the best part of chess for some, but intimidating for others. We wanted to create something atmospheric and fun that both types of players could enjoy.”
Whether you’re a strategic mastermind or just a Linux or Steam Deck player. Below the Crown is here to pull you deep into the dungeon. And the turn-based tactics roguelite is now on Steam Early Access for Windows PC. Priced at $9.74 USD / £8.31 / 9,61€ with the 35% discount.