Battle Ready? Knights in Tight Spaces Review – An In-Depth Analysis

Rating: 8
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · April 10, 2025

“Curious about ‘Knights in Tight Spaces’? This review dives deep into the strategic gameplay and captivating elements that make this tactical marvel worth your time. Read on as we uncover the secrets and strategies behind ‘Knights in Tight Spaces,’ ensuring you have the upper hand in every battle. Don’t miss out on this comprehensive review that will enhance your gameplay experience and lead you to victory!”

Knights in Tight Spaces Review Pros:

Beautiful graphics.
1.83GB download size.
Steam achievements.
Full controller support.
Video settings – resolution, fullscreen, v-sync, and high-end graphics mode.
Accessibility options – remove backdrop color, extra visible player cursor, card description scale slider, and screenshake.
Four game types – story, daily play, endless, and training.
Training is like a tutorial and is split into five lessons: combat, understanding enemies, advanced mechanics, weapon types and cards, and party mechanics. All are unlocked and are replayable, and you can do them in any order.
A 3D game world, and you can turn the camera 360 degrees in increments.
Excellent soundtrack.
Momentum is needed to play cards, and each has a cost; you get X amount each round of combat.
Turn-based combat.
The game plays out on grids, and you can see where your attacks will go before committing to them.
Such a visually appealing game.
Cards will show momentum costs, any special requirements, the number of grids it needs or can attack in, and any special effects it may have.
The game is surprisingly easy to get into and learn.
Press a button to see your and your enemies’ health, turns, etc.
Story mode has five default difficulties and a sixth custom one.
In story mode, you can set it to draft deck so you start from scratch.
8 archetypes to play as, only 3 available at the start which are – Brawler, Fighter, amd Rogue.
Story mode has story, cutscenes, and a world map level select.
Void tiles are the act of pushing an enemy out of bounds and instantly killing them.
Combo attacks are where you hit multiple enemies in one go.
Rollbacks are where you get a set amount of them to undo your turn. I love how the camera pans in and out as you do attacks, it combines well with the slowdown.
Each round, do you get fresh momentum and new cards drawn into your hand.
The end-of-level breakdowns show things like damage taken, difficulty modifiers, deaths, and turn amount, along with a score.
You can watch replays of matches.
Earn card rewards in the story and build your deck up.
I love the animations and attack moves you pull off, they look fantastic.
Multiple-choice encounters in the story mode.
As you go into fights in the story mode, you will get optional side missions for more rewards.
Meet traders to buy, sell, or upgrade cards with money you earn from fighting.
Your deck does have a limit, so it will become necessary to sell or remove cards.
When you die in story mode, you can restart the level, abandon the run, or just watch a replay.
You can end your turn whenever you want.
The AI turns are quick.
Earn and buy equipment to increase your stats and abilities.
Use the environment to hide or push enemies into for quick kills.
Glorious looking locations.
Consumables can cause you to do more damage, heal, or take less damage for X number of turns.
The Story mode is almost like a roguelike, as your health is persistent and you can fail and start again if you choose.
Big boss encounters.
Recruit and manage party members.
The game does a good job in the story of introducing new mechanics over time, like counterattacks, bleeding, etc.
It is a time sink of a game.

Knights in Tight Spaces Review Cons:

You cannot remap any controls.
Not a huge number of graphics settings.
No voice work, which is a bit of a bummer.
Somehow, I keep losing track of the optional side quests.
Personally I wish I could just turn my character to face a certain way after an attack or movement.
I am not a huge fan of the story sections, and the lack of voices and small choice text is not ideal.
Party management of gear is annoying in the way pop-ups and the menu in general don’t feel smooth.
It bugs me that I can’t just move around without the need for a card or action.

Knights in Tight Spaces:

Official website.

Developer: GroundShatter

Publisher: Raw Fury

Store Links –

Steam

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
8/10

Length - 8/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

8/10

Summary

Knights in Tight Spaces is a visually stunning tactical deck-builder that masterfully blends strategic combat with fluid, grid-based movement. The game offers a wealth of customization, with a variety of archetypes, card mechanics, and a well-designed training system that eases players into the depth of gameplay. With four game modes—including story, endless, daily, and training—players have multiple ways to experience the satisfying turn-based combat. The ability to construct and refine decks, taking into account momentum costs and positioning, adds layers of strategy that keep each encounter engaging. Optional side missions, traders, equipment upgrades, and consumable items further enhance the depth of progression, making every battle feel rewarding. The dynamic camera movement and slowdown effects add cinematic flair to the action, making every attack feel weighty and impactful. The overall polish and animations make it a joy to watch in motion, solidifying its appeal to tactical enthusiasts.

Despite its strengths, Knights in Tight Spaces isn’t without its shortcomings. The inability to remap controls is a notable drawback, making it less accommodating for those with accessibility needs. The limited graphical settings may disappoint players looking for more customization, and the lack of voice work makes the story sequences feel a bit flat. Some players may find the party management system cumbersome, with pop-ups and menus that don’t flow as smoothly as expected. The game’s reliance on card actions for movement can occasionally feel restrictive, especially for those who wish to reposition their character independently. Additionally, losing track of side missions can be frustrating, leading to missed opportunities for additional rewards.

Ultimately, Knights in Tight Spaces excels in delivering a deep, highly strategic combat experience wrapped in a sleek, stylish aesthetic. Its deck-building mechanics, environmental tactics, and varied gameplay modes offer players a rich, replayable challenge. While certain design choices may not suit every player’s preferences, the core mechanics remain polished and engaging, making it an excellent choice for fans of the genre.

“A masterclass in tactical deck-building, Knights in Tight Spaces strikes the perfect balance between strategy and style.”