5 stars (What is Thy Will, M'lord?) - Well it seems up to me to set the record here... There aren't many reviews as of this typing and the game is getting scarce (might be discontinued - stores aren't getting new copies?)... So what's the boggle folks?
Three important points to cover in this review, here they go:
1. Performance? This game, as far as I've experienced, as no bugs. It runs flawlessly, doesn't stutter or pause at all, and the graphics and sound quality are astounding. If you like 3D then Poo-Poo on you: the 2D graphics in this game outshine many 3D games on the market. The major problems that many PC-gamers have that they don't realize are among the following: virus scanning software running in the background, unnecessary background programs in memory, outdated drivers (video, sound, motherboard, etc), or just plain shoddy equipment (the cheapest and best advertised isn't the best quality!)... For the sake of guidance make sure you PC matches or exceeds the minimum requirements: the game developers did a good job of estimating what kind of hardware is needed to run the game smoothly...
2. Gameplay? Moooohahah! Total War - Total what? Knights of Honor (KoH) is on a level that cannot be compared with the current offering of strategy titles - perhaps that is why it hasn't exploded on the scene... KoH is much slower paced than other games (possibly even more time-consuming than Civilization - or at least equal)... But that is its strength: if you don't like to micromanage and don't have the patience to wait several minutes for something, anything, to happen then don't bother with KoH... The user interface, help menus, and in-game events are easy to follow and manipulate. The options for guiding your nation surpass any game I've played recently (again with maybe the exception of the latest Civlization offering)... If you like Civilization and Medieval simulations then KoH has consumed anything available today - play the demo and see for yourself...
3. Enjoyment? Joy doesn't even qualify as a proper description of this game... Again if you like the Medieval eras and you like Civilization, Rise of Nations, and so forth then Joy isn't relevant - you will be obsessed with KoH. The game spans some 3 or 4 centuries with accurate historical politics, nations, and events to boot. The setup of managing your nation is unique and very easy to follow: much of it has to do with quality not quantity (i.e. there are more descriptions and categories then there are numbers and equations)... Replayability is unfathomable: not only do you have the campaign of conquering Europe, but the game includes a 'skirmish' battle mode for just shedding blood...
As an example I'm playing as a Scottish Earl starting in 1000 AD and I'm on my 4th generation of rulers (yes your rulers have heirs and you must guide and protect them to the throne)... I've endured a squabble amongst my knights for the throne, spies overthrowing local governments, and one of my generals has led a crusade against the infidels... And I'm still going: I've only just conquered all of England and some of France... Get the picture?
This game is a gem: get it while you can...
1 stars (Beware of Bugs) - I was pumped to see this game on the market, having played and thoroughly enjoyed the Total War series, the Stronghold games and other ancient and medieval RTS and turn-based games. That's why I was so disappointed when I could not get the game to load and play. I even exchanged my first version for another copy, but to no avail. I have a 6 month old top-of-the-line machine, so I far exceeded the minimum requirements for performance.
I thought perhaps I was doing something wrong, until I went on the KOH website and read the postings of three other frustrated gamers who had had the exact same experience I did.
If you were able to get the game to load and play, I envy you. If you are thinking about buying the game, buy it used in case you can't get it to work on your system.
Not trashing the game, but simply encouraging you to take with Mr. Brady's famous advice: caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).
5 stars (Addictive, Engaging, Fun) - Knights of Honor is unlike any other real-time strategy game in today's market. For starters, unlike almost every game out there KoH is not a fully 3-D game which in my opinion lends a sort of old school look to the game. Personally I think it looks better than most strategy games out there. The level of detail involved in the game also helps to immerse you into the medieval mood of the game. This would have to be the most realistic simulation of what it was like to be a European ruler circa 1200, you must deal with everything from crusades to spys to keeping a budget for the expenses of your kingdom. Unfortunately the one thing that could have been a lot better is the actual tactical battles. The controls are very clumsy and I felt like I barely had any control of my army. Instead of risking the fact that I will probably screw it up I usually just let my generals fight it out. Other than that there is so much else in the game that it is really inconsequential. Overall Knights of Honor is a great game and I would recomend for anyone who enjoys historical strategy simulations. |
