King's Bounty: Dark Side

King's Bounty: Dark Side

Released Aug 2014

Time has come to begin a Dark Journey to the other side of Teana and explore a mysterious region never before seen by royal bounty hunters. King’s Bounty: Dark Side lets you play as the villains in a full standalone campaign with new heroes, dark factions, and a fresh tactical perspective.

73% positive · 1,912 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

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Evaluation

King's Bounty: Dark Side launched on August 19, 2014 as a standalone entry in the King's Bounty series. A Premium Edition Upgrade DLC was available at launch, bundling bonus content (two extra locations, additional quests, and a new unit). The developer issued two small bug-fix patches shortly after release — on September 2, 2014 and November 15, 2014 — and that was the end of post-launch activity specific to this game. Since November 2014, the developer's news posts on this game's page have been entirely about other titles: announcements for King's Bounty II (2019–2020), a publisher sale mention in 2022, a note about another game leaving Early Access in 2023, and a new game announcement in 2024. None of these posts indicate any new content, patches, or development work planned for Dark Side itself. The sole DLC listed — the Premium Edition Upgrade — was available at or near launch and has no unreleased components. There are no roadmaps, no announced future content, and no sustained post-launch update pattern beyond the initial bug fixes. The game shipped as a complete product and received only launch-window maintenance patches.
Evidence
Release date announced for August 19, 2014, with Premium Edition including bonus DLC (extra locations, quests, and a unit) described at launch.
news post · Jul 8, 2014 source content shipped
high
Only one DLC exists — the Premium Edition Upgrade — and it is marked as released with no unreleased items remaining.
dlc listing source content shipped
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Fulqrum Publishing
Achievements
37
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

King’s Bounty: Dark Side is a standalone entry in the King’s Bounty series that turns the familiar fantasy world on its head. Instead of fighting against darkness, you take control of it — experiencing the story from the side of villains, outcasts, and forbidden powers.

Choose one of three unique dark heroes: an Orc warlord, a Vampire lord, or a Demoness. Each character offers a distinct starting point, personal storyline, and playstyle, shaping how you explore the world, build your army, and approach combat. Their journeys intersect with familiar factions — but this time, the forces of light stand in your way.

Exploration unfolds across a large world filled with hostile territories, dangerous creatures, and morally dark choices. Towns, wilderness, and dungeons are packed with quests, secrets, and powerful artifacts, encouraging careful planning and risk-taking as you grow stronger.

Combat follows the classic King’s Bounty formula with deep, turn-based tactical battles. Positioning, morale, unit abilities, and spell timing remain crucial, while new dark-themed units, abilities, and spells introduce fresh tactical possibilities. Battles reward preparation and smart decisions rather than brute force.

Dark Side expands progression with new companions, artifacts, and mechanics tied to each hero’s dark origin. Army composition and long-term planning play a central role as enemies grow stronger and encounters become more demanding.

By shifting perspective and embracing darker factions, King’s Bounty: Dark Side offers a familiar tactical experience with a distinctly different tone — challenging players to rethink their strategies and explore the world of King’s Bounty from an entirely new angle.

  • Three dark heroes with unique companion systems

Play as an Orc, Vampire, or Demoness — each hero has their own companions, abilities, starting conditions, and progression, shaping a completely different playthrough.

  • New battle companion

A powerful combat companion actively participates in battles, adding a new tactical layer and influencing how encounters unfold.

  • New dark-themed units, artifacts, and Rage abilities

Command new troops, equip powerful artifacts, and unleash devastating Rage skills designed specifically around darker factions and aggressive playstyles.

  • Over 100 new quests and 15 new locations

A massive set of new story quests and side missions tied to the darker regions of Teana, offering fresh challenges and rewards. Explore previously unseen parts of the world, filled with unique enemies, secrets, and tactical encounters never visited by royal bounty hunters.

  • A darker perspective on the King’s Bounty world

Experience the story from the other side of the conflict, where familiar factions become enemies and moral choices take on a darker tone.

Last evaluated Jun 24, 2026
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