Kings of Israel is a single-player, turn-based strategy video game for Windows and macOS that turns Lance Hill's cooperative board game into a solo fight for the Northern Kingdom.^1 It is set in ancient Israel during the reigns of its kings, through to Israel's destruction by Assyria, and its only hope is a band of prophets who can cleanse the land of evil and idolatry.^1
You lead up to two prophets with unique skills, gathering resources, preaching, tearing down idols, and building the altars needed to win.^5 Each round follows a king: a good king brings a Blessing card, and an evil king brings a Sin and Punishment card.^5 Evil grows every turn, and when sin gathers unchecked in a city an idol is raised there, while chaos continues every turn a bad king leads Israel.^1 The video game levels up its difficulty as you play and keeps detailed win and loss statistics for each profile.^1 An optional Bible Study mode asks questions at the start of each round about the kings, locations, and events of the period.^1
Funhill Games began in a teen Bible study in Friendswood, Texas, where Lance Hill wanted a way to teach the geography of ancient Israel.^3 Hill, a part-time game designer and former systems analyst, said: "My original goal was to make a fun game that I could use to teach geography to the teen Bible study I was leading."^6 The board game was funded on Kickstarter, and Funhill has since published the video game version alongside its biblical tabletop catalog.^3 Funhill was created in 2013 to publish fun, Biblically themed games.^4
Christ Centered Gamer reviewed the PC version:
"If you're playing solo and want a fun and challenging Christian video game, look no further than Kings of Israel."^5
The Steam page carries these critics' lines about the board game:^1
"Kings of Israel is an excellent little game." - Tom Vasel^1
"A great, solid, cooperative family game..." - Rahdo Runs Through^1
Notable:
