In a world where many RPGs play it safe, Kingdoms of the Dump throws caution into the landfill. This SNES-style role-playing game takes players into the Lands of Fill, a fantasy realm built entirely from garbage, where trash isn’t just setting—it’s identity. Created by two full-time janitors turned indie developers, this quirky yet ambitious title promises a fresh spin on classic RPG mechanics with humor, heart, and a whole lot of refuse.
A garbage world worth saving, led by an unlikely hero
At first glance, Kingdoms of the Dump seems like a joke. A Trash Can Knight named Dustin Binsley marching through lands made of litter sounds like something pulled from a parody. But this game wears its absurdity with pride and uses it to build a surprisingly deep world. The Lands of Fill are broken into five and a half kingdoms, each ruled by its own unique trashy theme and now threatened by the creeping forces of the Grimelin army.
Dustin’s journey is not just about cleaning up waste—it’s about restoring balance to a decaying world. The developers behind this project, Roach Games and Dream Sloth Games, spent their days pushing brooms before turning their passion for RPGs into code. The grime they scrubbed in real life became fuel for an imaginative realm that treats garbage as myth and magic. Their day jobs didn’t just inspire the setting; they shaped the story’s core themes: overlooked heroes, discarded worlds, and resilience rising from ruin.
Tactical turn-based combat that rewards smart moves
Combat in Kingdoms of the Dump stays true to its retro roots but introduces modern twists that deepen strategy without slowing pace. Battles unfold on a grid system where character positioning matters. Players must think about where each party member stands—whether to flank enemies or block incoming attacks—making every turn count.
Another key change from traditional JRPGs is how encounters start. There are no random battles here. Enemies roam visibly on the map, allowing players to decide when—and if—they want to fight. This shifts combat from being an interruption to becoming part of exploration strategy.
Adding even more flavor is the timed hit system. Attacks require player input at specific moments to deal more damage or trigger special effects. This mechanic keeps players engaged during fights rather than watching stats roll out passively. It feels closer to action than most turn-based systems allow—and encourages mastery through rhythm and timing.
Six heroes with strange powers make every puzzle personal
The party lineup doesn’t follow fantasy tropes either. Instead of knights and mages, players switch among six oddball characters—all with unique abilities that affect both battle tactics and how players explore the map. Some can climb walls or bubble across gaps; others wield ranged weapons or solve environmental puzzles only they can unlock.
This isn’t just for flair—it’s essential for progress. Swapping characters mid-combat or during exploration opens up different paths through levels and changes how puzzles are solved. In one section of early development footage, switching to a gun-wielding ally allowed for long-range switches to be triggered—something no melee fighter could reach.
This design encourages experimentation and rewards those who learn each character’s strengths. It mirrors the sense of teamwork found in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons—a genre close to this game’s heart.
Platforming meets pixel art in dynamic exploration
Classic RPGs usually keep feet on the ground—but Kingdoms of the Dump asks players to jump in headfirst. Literally. Platforming elements such as running leaps, vertical climbs, and hidden passageways fill its maps with layers rarely seen in 16-bit titles.
Jumping mechanics allow access to secret stashes or alternative routes through dungeons that feel alive with verticality and surprise. Elevation isn’t just decoration—it matters when scouting terrain or reaching tricky ledges tucked behind forgotten piles of junk.
This blend between platformer movement and role-playing structure gives exploration more energy than simply walking between markers on a map screen. During an early build demo shown at PAX West last year, one area required switching between three characters mid-run while jumping across conveyor belts full of old TVs—a sequence that felt more Super Mario than Final Fantasy.
A nostalgic overworld full of challenge and charm
The large Mode 7-inspired overworld ties everything together with flair straight out of SNES classics like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI. Players travel across diverse biomes: moldy libraries guarded by bookworms, soda can mountains echoing with carbonation winds, and oceans filled with plastic reefs hiding mutated sea beasts.
Beneath all this whimsy lurk serious challenges—bosses designed not just as HP sponges but as tactical puzzles requiring team coordination and smart use of skills acquired throughout each region’s arc.
The overworld acts as both connective tissue and an evolving threatscape where new dangers emerge as plotlines progress across kingdom borders. It’s not just background—it’s alive with secrets begging to be uncovered by sharp-eyed adventurers willing to poke around behind dumpsters.
16-bit visuals that feel anything but trashy
Visually, Kingdoms of the Dump is stunning in its filthiness. The 16-bit pixel art is detailed down to individual wrappers fluttering in alleyways or rust patches spreading along abandoned metal bridges. Every sprite carries personality—even minor NPCs like a talking banana peel merchant feel expressive within limited frames.
The commitment to SNES-era style goes beyond simple mimicry—it feels authentic because it respects both aesthetic limits and creative freedom offered by pixel art at its peak form.
A soundtrack built for nostalgia-powered immersion
No retro-inspired adventure is complete without music that pulls at memory’s strings—and here composer William Kage delivers precisely that atmosphere in spades (or should that be shovels?). The soundtrack leans heavily into melancholic chiptune melodies backed by rhythmic percussion loops that mirror Dustin’s journey through decay toward redemption.
Kage’s work captures both grandeur and grime—a rare feat in retro compositions—ensuring scenes stay emotionally charged even when traversing smelly sewers or climbing junk towers under acid rain skies.
When does Kingdoms of the Dump come out?
The wait won’t stretch forever—Kingdoms of the Dump launches on November 18, 2025 for PC via Steam with full controller support included from day one. It’ll run across Windows, MacOS, and Linux platforms so nearly anyone with a computer can join Dustin’s cleanup crusade regardless of setup preferences or operating system allegiance.
A love letter to old-school RPG fans made by unlikely dreamers
This isn’t just another indie title hoping nostalgia will do all the heavy lifting—it’s an earnest attempt to rethink what makes retro games memorable while discarding what made them frustrating (like constant random battles). Built by creators who know what it means to be overlooked themselves, Kingdoms of the Dump feels deeply personal yet wildly accessible at once.
For players who grew up on cartridge classics or those discovering turn-based adventures for the first time—it offers humor without gimmicks, strategy without bloat, heart without pretense—and all wrapped inside overflowing bins brimming with imagination.
If greatness can rise from garbage… what else might we be throwing away too soon?
F.A.Q.
What is the setting of Kingdoms of the Dump?
Kingdoms of the Dump is set in the Lands of Fill, a fantasy world creatively built around trash and refuse. This unique setting provides a fresh thematic twist on traditional RPG environments, offering a one-of-a-kind adventure experience.
Who are the developers behind Kingdoms of the Dump?
The game is developed by Roach Games and Dream Sloth Games, two indie developers who work as full-time janitors. Their real-life experiences inspired the trash-themed world and story of the game.
What makes the combat system in Kingdoms of the Dump unique?
The combat in Kingdoms of the Dump is turn-based and unfolds on a grid, adding tactical depth to character positioning. The game also features a timed hit mechanic for more engaging and skill-based battles, and eliminates random encounters in favor of visible enemy encounters on the map.
How does character swapping work in the game?
Players can switch between six unique characters during exploration and combat, each with special abilities that affect gameplay. This mechanic requires strategic use of characters to solve puzzles and engage in battles effectively.
Are there platforming elements in Kingdoms of the Dump?
Yes, the game incorporates platforming mechanics like jumping and elevation changes, enhancing exploration and making it more dynamic compared to traditional RPGs. These elements allow players to discover secrets and navigate diverse environments.
What is the visual and audio style of the game?
Kingdoms of the Dump features richly detailed 16-bit pixel art reminiscent of SNES graphics, paired with a nostalgic soundtrack composed by William Kage. This combination reinforces the retro aesthetic while offering a fresh gaming experience.
When is the release date for Kingdoms of the Dump?
The game is set to release on November 18, 2025, for PC via Steam. It will be available across Windows, MacOS, and Linux platforms, with full controller support included.
