Guild 1400 Gold Edition

by Aspyr

Product Features

• Combines elements of economic simulation, real-time strategy and role-play in a fascinating, innovative system
• Set up your own family dynasty and take one of 12 different career paths - from blacksmith, alchemist, or barkeep, to priest or thief
• Free-play or mission-based action; Seasons and historical events influence game play
• Up to seven players - either computer or human - on a LAN network
• Richly textured real-time 3D graphics and historically accurate middle-age soundtrack

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BNDGHA
• Item Weight: 4 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: November 7, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,924 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

In the original Europa 1400, you'll jump headfirst into a great era of exploration and discovery. It's the dawn of the "golden age of the new departures and the free spirit". More and more towns are emerging from the clutches of the aristocracy, and you'll be challenged to make your way in this new world, filled with constant changes and intrigues. Navigate this chaotic time & place and make a name - and a fortune - for yourself.
With the Europa 1400: The Guild expansion, new ideas are taking hold -- and wise merchants are taking advantage of them to line their pockets. But as the common people achieve independence, power and wealth, something dark and sinister begins in the shadows...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Concept!, April 2, 2006

By 

Warren Kelly (Southern Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Guild 1400 Gold Edition (CD-ROM)

This game appealed to me for several reasons. One, I'm studying medieval history, so the time period the game covers was appealing. Second, I love historical role-playing and civilization building, and the game promised to combine the best of both genres in one box.

In the box I found two CDs and a very thin instruction guide/quick start manual (which was quickly lost). I assumed, the full manual would be on one of the two CDs, so I installed the game and started it up.

No manual. And unfortunately, the maunal available for download leaves a LOT of questions unanswered -- like HOW do you send out trading carts to other cities when you're a trader? This was the only disappointing aspect to the game.

The first thing I look for in a game is a good tutorial, so that's where I started. The tutorial gives a great introduction to the game, but left some things out that I really wish I had known - things like hiring a master to run your businesses for you (very handy when you've got a bunch of buildings up) and planning your children's' education and career. But it covered the basics - just plan on playing a throwaway game on "Very Easy" mode to really get a grasp on the game dynamics before you go hard-core.

The game is entertaining, and addictive. You choose your career and try to make money and advance socially while sabotaging your opponents and competition. You can run for office (anything from town servant all the way up to Pope), trade with other citizens, add on to your home and business, and even build new buildings. Micromanaging everything takes a lot of effort, so you will want to hire a master for some of your businesses.

At this point, you can start to get political. Make friends with people, spy on people, smear the reputations of your enemies. Kiss up to the right people and you will get cushy government jobs that pay well for little effort. Declare vendettas on people that you don't like. Just like real life.

The graphics in the game are quite good, though seem a bit dated. They remind me of the graphics in Dungeon Seige, actually. The combat system is a simple point and click interface, but wasn't used that much in the games I played. The sound is also good.

That said, I found a few drawbacks to the game. The choice of religion doesn't seem to do much for you (Cathar vs. Catholic), and isn't realistic for all areas. There weren't many Cathars in England, for example, but there were Lollards. You can't be Jewish or Muslim in Spain, though both were present in the middle ages.

You can pick your character's gender, but that doesn't seem to affect much in the game either. Women can hold political office (including Catholic bishop!), and own more property than their husbands do. This is hardly realistic for the time period, but I can understand why it was put in the game - marketing rule #1 is don't make the customers mad at you. Historical realism in this instance would have really offended a lot of people.

The game has a big online fan base that is eagerly awaiting the release of The Guild 2, which promises even better graphics and story variations. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll be able to play that one until I upgrade my video card. Thankfully, The Guild Gold will hold me quite nicely until I can upgrade.

If you don't like civilization building or role-playing, don't get this game. There are times when nothing happens at all, especially if you've got masters running things for you. But if you've always wanted your own Medieval village (and, really, who hasn't?), this is the game for you. Get it, and practice - The Guild 2 is on it's way.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun, but needs a better guide, February 6, 2006

By 

Lisa Gansky (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Guild 1400 Gold Edition (CD-ROM)

Another reviewer noted that this book has no guide. I have to agree with him, that it does need a guide. I prefer to read things, and refer to them as I play. Your only option is to take the klunky "trial," which attempts to teach you how to do things, or to learn "by doing." I tried the latter at first, but some things were very difficult. For most of the professions you really just have to hire someone to run your store, or you're going to give up. Sending out the carts and checking when they get there takes up too much time. There's other more fun stuff in store if you hire a pro (and it's really not too expensive). My game constantly crashes. Luckily, each year, the game backs itself up... but it does get frustrating. Other bugs include seeing German text at points (the game was originally written in German).

My favorite feature of the game is that you can continue playing when your character passes away, if he/she has a son or daughter that is at least 12 years old. I worked my way well into the 1600s, and am on I believe my 7th or 8th character! My favorite "job" so far was being the mayor, because I could fix the dilapidated workers huts. I felt like I was doing the town a good service! I also became a "Prince of the Empire," which had a nice ring to it!

If you like Master of Orion II, I'd recommend the game for the constructing of buildings. And if you're into the 1400s and 1500s, you'll probably enjoy the history you get from the game. Otherwise, give it a pass until they update it and work out the bugs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Here's the correct link for the manual, February 20, 2006

By 

Dawgboy (in the heart of it all) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Guild 1400 Gold Edition (CD-ROM)

For those of you having trouble with the Gold edition and who want a manual, a previous reviewer noted that the link doesn't work. So do this:

www.aspyr.com

Then choose PC games from the drop down box. You will see a graphic for Europa 1400. Click on that. In the text box to the right of the next screen you will see a link to download the manual(s) in .pdf format.

Steep learning curve on this but fun once you get into it. For those who really liked Europa Universalis's depth, this has as much, although it's a curious mix of first person and strategy.

So far, me likely.