Kickstart this: Kingdom is an elegant exploration and strategy game for iOS and Android

Kingdom is described by Dutch developer Thomas van den Berg as a "minimalist atmospheric exploration / strategy game".

While true, it doesn't really do justice to the elegance of Kingdom. The only way to truly understand that is to play it yourself. So, if you can, please play the original game in your browser.

If you can't do that, then check out the Kickstarter video above for the sequel. Failing that, I'll explain what it's all about now.

You play a king with a problem. There are ghouls that come at night that try to steal his crown. Hence, you have to build a kingdom to fight them off.

You do this by collecting coins to pay citizens to construct walls with defences around you. They'll also farm the lands and hunt animals for more coins. You can employ others as royal guards.

It's a side-scrolling game with beautiful pixel-art. The reflections in the lake, the sunrise, and the moody mist lend each part of the day its own tone.

The sequel will have more chances to explore the lands around your kingdom. Judging by the video, there are forests through which to trot, new animals, and even new steeds to acquire.

Having praised Kingdom to high heaven before, I have to admit that I'm excited to see it expanded for mobile. For that to happen, though, it needs to hit its Kickstarter funding goal.

Van den Berg is asking for €8,000 to create an iOS version. An Android port would be feasible with €20,000, apparently.

If you have a Netherlands App Store account, then you can also get an iOS copy of Kingdom when it's finished for €10.

You can keep up with Kingdom's development on the devlog.