Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 3
Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 3
Game
Game2023
While the Iron's Hot
Developer Bontemps Games
Reforge a blacksmith’s village on an isle of the land’s finest artisans! Step into the boots of an expert smith for a crafty adventure filled with mystery and charm. Explore the land of Ellian, and prove that a hammer, anvil, and your wits can overcome any challenge. From the Steam store page
166 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Oct 15, 2026 · last updated Oct 16, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
78
LovedLoved
109 positive · 30 negative
95% range 71–84%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 109 | 30 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mostly Positive
117 of 147 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
79% recommend · 110 yes, 30 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 140 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (189 of 230 positive).
Players find the blacksmithing crafting loop satisfying and relaxing. [1][2][3] Some reviewers note the game is short and pricey for its length. [4][5][6] Several players criticize the ending and repetitive gameplay. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
This is such an incredibly mixed bag. I loved the feel of the game. The look, the game play, the music, all great. But its all overshadowed the ending being so poorly done that it feels like i just wasted 26 hours. There should me a message that saying "Hey, btw, this is the LAST decision you make". Similar to how theres another message earlier that says "This is a turning point in the story, are you SURE you wish …
- [2]
Okay so this is NOT the greatest game ever. However, for a small simulation game involving lots of blacksmithing stuff, this game is really really good. It's not flashy, or fast paced, with an epic apocalyptic evil villain or anything like that. It's just a laid back, simple relaxing simulation game where you play as a blacksmith. The music is great, the sound effects are great. The gameplay is engaging, addictive, …
- [13]
Warning: This is a very repetitive game! !!BUT!! they do a really good job of making it feel all pretty new and purposeful though you will be making dozens of some of the same items over and over, just like a blacksmith would. You will know whether or not the game is for you within the first two hours, because even as the game adds more personality later on, it is much of the same base mechanics. I recommend a pen …
- [3]
While the Iron's Hot might not be the most action-packed title, it's a delightful surprise for crafting enthusiasts. You play as a skilled blacksmith tasked with reviving a village's legacy. The core gameplay loop of gathering resources, crafting items, and fulfilling villager requests is satisfying and surprisingly deep. The quirky characters and humorous dialogue add charm, while the calming soundtrack creates a …
- [1]
The simulation games I've played tend to cover various aspects, like Stardew Valley, for example, which puts us in charge of a farm where we perform various related activities. However, While The Iron's Hot offers another type of experience, moving away from crops and farm animals (except for a nice ox) and focuses on crafting, specifically blacksmithing, and truth be told, it's somewhat refreshing. Taking as our …
Summarised from 34 of the 167 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 11, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked While the Iron's Hot talk about relaxing and cozy crafting experience; those who didn't talk about repetitive mini-games and grinding. Which matters more to you?
Reactions
60 of 166 · most liked firstThe simulation games I've played tend to cover various aspects, like Stardew Valley, for example, which puts us in charge of a farm where we perform various related activities. However, While The Iron's Hot offers another type of experience, moving away from crops and farm animals (except for a nice ox) and focuses on crafting, specifically blacksmithing, and truth be told, it's somewhat refreshing. Taking as our protagonist a wandering blacksmith, we'll explore a world of master craftsmen,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Games leaving Game Pass on Dec 1st: -While the Iron's Hot -Spirit of the North Enhanced Edition -Soccer Story -Rollerdrome -Conan Exiles -Coral Island -Remnant: From the Ashes -The Walking Dead: The Final Season
neutral · AI labelView post →Okay so this is NOT the greatest game ever. However, for a small simulation game involving lots of blacksmithing stuff, this game is really really good. It's not flashy, or fast paced, with an epic apocalyptic evil villain or anything like that. It's just a laid back, simple relaxing simulation game where you play as a blacksmith. The music is great, the sound effects are great. The gameplay is engaging, addictive, coherent and fun. The idea is interesting, the world is interesting and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was hesitant with "Not recommended" and only changed to it due to some points I did not like. Game itself isn't bad. While the Iron's Hot is a game filled with crafting routine, exploration and some puzzles/challenges. Good * Music and sounds overall are selected well * Visuals, while maybe not for everyone, are also pleasant. The only drawback is that steel/damascus colors are sometimes too similar in some UIs * Core gameplay keeps you invested. It's not 24/7 crafting of the same item…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Remnant, Remnant 2 Now Available on Game Pass. Other games: SteamWorld Build (Cloud, Console and PC): Available Day One from December 1 Far Cry 6 (Cloud, Console and PC) World War Z: Aftermath (Cloud, Console and PC) Goat Simulator 3 (Cloud, Console and PC) Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console and PC) Against the Storm (PC) Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Cloud, Console and PC) Tin Hearts (Cloud, Console and PC) While the Iron's Hot (Cloud, Console and…
neutral · AI labelView post →Leaving Game Pass on December 1st. - While the Iron's Hot - Remnant: From the Ashes - The Walking Dead: The Final Season - Coral Island - Spirit of the North - Rollerdrome - Conan Exiles - Soccer Story
neutral · AI labelView post →Nice little blacksmith game but unfortunately, not for me.I really love the idea of owning a blacksmith shop and doing orders, exploring and gathering resources but for the little that I have played, I can't really get into it (and I hate stamina(energy) bar in games like these). I wish them success with it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's an alright game but kind of feels like a waste of a potentially neat crafting situation in an unusually short progression path. There's just so many features and hints at an idea of "progression" but I never really butted up against a need to push any of the systems in any interesting way. Perhaps this is my own failure to engage with the game on its own terms, but it really felt like it was guiding me to view it as a crafting/base building/RPG/exploration-style game when really all it…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game has a lot going for it BUT there are just too many small irritants that I don't think need to exist. I am near the end game I would say 85-90% done with the content. The whole premise of the game is that you're building up your town and reputation via your black smithing skill. Naturally this means you unlock and build different features of the town. BUT. These features do not really make life easier for you. The resource gatherer needs to be babysat. The people can place orders…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is such an incredibly mixed bag. I loved the feel of the game. The look, the game play, the music, all great. But its all overshadowed the ending being so poorly done that it feels like i just wasted 26 hours. There should me a message that saying "Hey, btw, this is the LAST decision you make". Similar to how theres another message earlier that says "This is a turning point in the story, are you SURE you wish to move forward?" I really want to recommend this game, but the ending…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This isn't a blacksmithing game. Its an exploration/adventure game. You spending more time exploring the world map and caves then actually blacksmithing. The blacksmithing is a series of mediocre mini games. Even the devs must think they are meh as they give you upgrades to skip them. Why is there a blacksmithing game where it encourages you to skip the blacksmithing? Its a shame as the overall arc does give you a decent reason to keep going but all the mechanics are very mediocre and there…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →While The Iron’s Hot is a single-player game, but playing alone doesn’t mean you are alone! Join our Discord to share discoveries, clever exploits, and your ox’s finest outfits with other players 🐂✨ #indiegames #gamedev #cozygames #pixelart #whiletheironshot
neutral · AI labelView post →Can't recommend due to having serious bugs continuity, weird game loop, tons of items who were planned to be of use but never implemmented. The game has potential, but story wise and the decision to make this into a open world exploration with PAINFUL movement makes it a no. Played fully and kinda disappointing by the end. I still want to see what's next for the devs as they clearly have skills, but probably not budget and a clear direction.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Quite frankly, the game is just boring. The story is basically "a guy gets to an island and wants to become the best blacksmith". It's simplistic, has no clear goal or urgency. I've read other reviews saying the ending is disappointing, so I guess at some point "he succeeds, the end?" The gameplay is pretty much "do the same 3 simple mini-games over and over to get money to purchase upgrades to access the next zone"...and repeat. It just gets tedious. The presentation is nice. Sadly,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hardly a crafting game - more like a side scroll adventure - terribly boring. Not the worst game in the world but I'm not wasting any more time on it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →While the Iron's hot is a weird experience. The premise of the game is that you, a journeyman blacksmith who doesn't start the game knowing how to blacksmith anything, travel to a legendary blacksmithing town only to discover it's been abandoned, you set out to rebuild this town, and you do this by traveling all around the archipelago blacksmithing, rarely ever returning to your new home. Progression feels incidental and unintentional you level up by playing the game, and then get a choice…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really enjoy this game so far. It is a nice mix of exploration and crafting. It could do with a few QOL improvements though - especially pinning recipes would be nice. I hate having to go back into the recipe-list to double check.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was hoping for something a bit more than three dull and repetitive minigames and a lot of walking around to collect and deliver orders.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You can pat a dog.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →TL;DR Solid core loop pulled down by undercooked design and game breaking progression. Positives * Main core loop is well polished and fun after many repetitions. * Graphical fidelity and stylization in locations is on point. * Writing has the right mix of goofy and serious. Neutral * Graphical stylization on the overworld is not for me, but I can recognize that it might hit a nostalgic note for others. Negatives * Progression design is atrocious. Recipes that are required to progress…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Who knew blacksmithing could be this satisfying? Thanks to @wanderbots for playing our game at launch and sharing how they love the level-up system in While The Iron’s Hot. Nothing more satisfying than fulfilling orders and grinding XP 💪🏻 #indiegames #cozygames #WhileTheIronsHot #gamedev 1/2
neutral · AI labelView post →The gameplay loop quickly becomes apparent in the sense of that you're just "doing things" for your crafting purposes. But crafting is piss easy and theres several exploits that are blaringly obvious to skip most of the gathering process, so you just end up with an inventory management game where you also have to watch your stamina bar while you travel. Riveting, I tell you.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not the exactly the genre I thought it would be yet still nice chill/causal adventure :) The price of 20€ may be too high considering the content of the game. However, I love the audio-visual aspect of the game and the lore premise overall. So I can justify the price tag for myself. The concept itself would benefit if the game would be made in much bigger scope as the current one feels a bit shallow, like repetetive minigames, if some of them we can even call them minigames, the upgrades are a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's rather short (not difficult to get the 'credits' in under 10 hours of gameplay), yet also grindy. Puzzles are either overly simple or obnoxiously aggravating (you'll want to punch kittens after traversing the swamp or the ice field a couple times), things are poorly-coded enough that soft- or hard-locking progress is fairly simple to do (not helped by the punishing save system), 'dying' is brutal in early-game, and the final endgame decision is both abrupt and poorly-telegraphed (and the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Warning: This is a very repetitive game! !!BUT!! they do a really good job of making it feel all pretty new and purposeful though you will be making dozens of some of the same items over and over, just like a blacksmith would. You will know whether or not the game is for you within the first two hours, because even as the game adds more personality later on, it is much of the same base mechanics. I recommend a pen and paper if you struggle with numbers like me cause i struggle to remember all…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"I'M FEELING STABBY!" 🔪 Huge shoutout to @cohhcarnage.bsky.social for not only playing While the Iron's Hot, but giving us the best voice acting we've had for this game yet 😂 #indiegames #cozygames #whiletheironshot #gamedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Well, I wanted to love this game but it's just boring, I saw it on splatercat's games he's played and thought it would be fun but there isn't anything that compels you to progress. it doesn't have any good mechanics. No platforming, no fun minigames( it does have minigames but they are braindead easy), no good characters. Also money is practically unlimited as you can just cook metal and duplicate it in the cooking mini game, and it doubles the price after cooking it. There also is no sales…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I enjoy the laid back, manage as you like town. Cute and highly pleasurable. I'm so glad I waited to write this review because I didn't realize that the story capstone leads to "good" or "bad" vibe changes. I was shocked, distraught and was not game to "lose" everything I had worked for. I did pause the credits and found that closing them out just rolled me back a bit (yeah Reddit). If I hadn't reverted I don't think I would be up to soon redo it to get the "good" as I had lovingly invested 17…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Overall a recommended title, but only on a big discount since I do not think it is worth it at full price. It may not be the best game ever, nor will it be too memorable over time, but it did what it set out to do fairly well. It is pretty grindy, yet it is sort of cozy and a pretty chill game to spend a few hours here and there while you complete quests, story and achievements. Runs great on Steam Deck and was able to get all, but 1 achievement which got bugged. As for the grinding, I ended…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The more I played this, the more the little annoyances started to add up and I realized there wasn't anything pushing me to keep going. The idea behind the game seemed interesting but the more I play, the small things start to bother me. Others have explained it further but I'll reiterate a lot of it here. The first big issue is just how much the game wastes your time with a lack of quality of life. The speed in which you climb ladders makes all of the explorations sections feel like a slog…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I nominated this game for the Most Innovative Gameplay Award on Steam. I think devs deserve more recognition with this game. It's sad to see only a few people playing it. I must say that I loved forging items and I find its gameplay element very cool.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's... okay I guess? Pretty boring and stale. Like an old SNES game but not a good one. Minigames are boring, gameplay isn't fun, story is flat. I am all for the job sim games and one of my favorite things to do in KCD2 was blacksmithing so I thought I would like this. It's a 4/10
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →games should be outside politics. It's a pity that I didn't immediately pay attention to the publisher and developer.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a cute idea presented in a visually appealing way, but the game is essentially busywork as a core loop. You can't make any meaningful decisions on a narrative or interactive level, and you can't get improve your experience by getting better at the game as a player. If you want to burn a few IRL hours watching some cute blacksmithing animations, this'll do for you, but I didn't find it terribly satisfying.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm enjoying the heck out of this, and there's way more plot than I thought there would be (Similar game I've enjoyed is Graveyard Keeper)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →While The Iron's Hot has a neat core idea, and it's a fun game overall. But it does have some rough parts. The overall idea of forging metal into different pieces, then using those pieces in different ways to build things and solve problems, I really like. There's enough variety in the core game, and the things you build by the end are fairly elaborate, which is cool. But the platforming for exploration is not very good, and there's a lot of platforming puzzles throughout the game, which I…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game was/is a fantastic play, made me really want to pick up a hammer and get started on a forge myself. Fantastic escape from a tough year.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its not bad, neither its not good, but game loop is extremely boring with clunky ui
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Nice game but not worth the price.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game can be a good game, But it need improvement, the game is finished in 12 hours, and it's pretty short for a 20 euro game. Almost all the village upggrade are useless (cool, i can make adventurers work for me, but i have every mats already in high quantity, i don't need gold because i can just make some weapon and sell them, and for the fame, the bonus are not that interesting to focus on that). For the mats, once you've done the "perfect forge" you basically don't need em' anymore, so,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I thought to make a horseshoe and asked my hammer thus He said, "I'll ask the anvil what you require of us" The hammer asked the anvil and she at once agreed That they should meet together in the way that I decreed And it's sparks a-flying, passion strong I am the blacksmith singing The hammer and the anvil song
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very cute and mellow game. Never stressed about the passage of time, plenty of things to craft, some decent puzzles, and loved upgrading things and watching the progression of the town. But WHY can we not get another chance to woo the female ox?!?! My good boy has dragged me all over the world map and deserves another chance at love!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good graphics, good gameplay, story is fine. Slightly pricey for the length, but a peaceful and satisfying game. Grindy if you go for 100% or the post game activities, but completing the story alone is short and sweet. 7/10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A lovely very detailed game which is a combination of Minecraft but with quests. Exactly a game if you don't like open world games without any goals to reach. A little bit of grinding is necessary to reach all achievements, but which game doesn't include this. Anyway, a really nice game which can be played within 20 - 25 hours to finish.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Thank you very much for the recommendation, and for using the Dialogue System and Quest Machine in your blacksmithing RPG While The Iron's Hot! I'm looking forward to playing your next game, too! #unity #indiedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Game is maybe like 17 hours but was pretty fun. Discovering recipes sometimes based on other recipes is also nice. There's a lot of things to make and quests to do which was great. The game definitely has some bugs. If you're playing for a long stretch of time, then you shouldn't have any problems. The problem happens when you reload the game. Items and buffs just go away which was not a great discovery. Some items in the game seem like they'll have a use, but never end up having that…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is a ton of fun. I love the crafting minigames and how you can dress up the OX There is a little bug with the Ox though. -- If you want to give the Ox a gift don't hold click the gift. If you do you will lose the item the Ox was wearing and it turns into the gift that you just handed the ox. Example: Ox is wearing a uh, I don't know, a Top hat and you want to have him wear glasses. If you long click the glasses and pick them up while giving them to the ox, you give the ox the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Review Summary: If you are looking for a game with low impact and crafting, then this will not be a bad choice. The story is nice and the pacing is not too bad. It feels a little lack luster and most things feel repetitious by the end of it. It has a lot of tried and true concepts that feel poorly implemented. The post game content is hidden and fairly dragging. It almost feels like this game could not decide between casual clicker game and old-school RPG. It ended up doing neither of these…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An awfully lovely game that you get lost in it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is really fun to just do minigames and manage resources to make all kinds of metal objects. Also the story is fun and takes some turns.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A nice casual crafting game not bogged down by the tedium some of these types of games can have. The story is fun and light and there are lots of secrets to find. Get it on sale and you won't be disappointed. I'd love for the next game to have pinned recipes for the quest items you have to build as well as fast climb/descend. I loved playing dressup with the ox, however you don't get most of the costumes until the end-game at which point I was just zipping around and didn't see the ox that…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →While the Iron's Hot might not be the most action-packed title, it's a delightful surprise for crafting enthusiasts. You play as a skilled blacksmith tasked with reviving a village's legacy. The core gameplay loop of gathering resources, crafting items, and fulfilling villager requests is satisfying and surprisingly deep. The quirky characters and humorous dialogue add charm, while the calming soundtrack creates a truly relaxing experience. However, inventory management can be clunky, and the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Rating: 4.5/5 "While the Iron's Hot" is an enthralling addition to the realm of adventure-puzzle games, offering players an immersive experience that combines a captivating storyline, stunning graphics, and engaging puzzles. This game successfully draws players into its meticulously crafted world, making every moment spent in it a delightful journey. Storyline: The storyline of "While the Iron's Hot" is a masterclass in narrative design. Players are taken on a rich, emotionally charged…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It was some nice ideas but the gameplay and story are incredibly boring
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A good idea that feels like it could be put on the grinder to do some refining as this game is a lot of busy work with some good ideas peeking in every so and so. Pro - Pixel art looks pretty fine. - music is done well. - some nice puzzles in the game. - over world travel is done well. - the levelling is done adequately with some decent options for skills. - technically you can craft whatever you want as long as you know the layout and materials for an item. - You can sequence break where you…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A really nice game with a good story and entertaining crafting system. It felt like a work of passion from developers which always makes games more enjoyable for me. There are some Quality of Life Features which I would wish for, especially in inventory and crafting. And some parts could use more hints or tutorials in my opinion. Loved playing it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Premise of the game is that you are a blacksmith looking to become a master of your craft. You journey to a new continent to achieve this and end up in a small ghost town that you need to re-build. You will encounter ppl in your travels that can come live in your town, once you have built them a specific building. To make money you craft stuff and sell it or use it for orders. Exploration with your cart and ox has been fun and graphics are pretty. All in all it is not particularly innovative…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just finished playing While the Iron's Hot, and I'm still grinding through recipes to try and 100% the game. Deff reccomended for anyone that enjoys chill crafting games <3
positive · AI labelView post →This is a great cosy Blacksmith sim game. It's got great pixel graphics and a great soundtrack while you play. If you like an easy relaxing Blacksmith sim, this is the game for you, I love it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you ever dreamed of becoming a blacksmith and crafting your own weapons and armor, then you might enjoy this game. It is a 2D simulation game that lets you run your own forge and create various items for customers and adventurers. The game has a charming pixel art style and a relaxing soundtrack that create a cozy atmosphere. The gameplay is simple but engaging. 9/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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