Kings Of The Dark Ages

by Topware Interactive

Product Features

• AI uses realistic tactics and natural behaviour: Panic and fear, changes in the level of morale affecting the behaviour of soldiers, grouping and regrouping on the field
• Complex castle sieges, with highly detailed fortresses, towns and armies
• LAN multiplayer, Internet gaming (TPC/IP), matchmaking server for up to 4 players+ 2 vs. 2 (allied match) including battlefields, villages, caves, ruins, castle sieges
• OpenGL graphics engine with full antialiasing
• Original 40-minute, high quality stereo soundtrack

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000CBAR28
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 4, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,894 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Campaigns: 17 complex single player levels in the kingdoms and territories of Europe, all divided into three chapters and six campaigns with full access to all features and possibilities. Battlefields: dozens of single player battlefields with hundreds of units and objects, including villages, caves and ruins and castle sieges. With weather effects, burning arrows and blood all in an impressive scenery with a variety of flora and fauna...More then 30 military units and machines of war in both modes. Tutorial: an easy step-by-step, playable tutorial for both campaign and battlefield modes realistic husbandry, military and economical models as well as all-important diplomatic relations. Based in the turbulent times of the Holy Roman Empire and the Crusades the player must complete various missions ranging from building up the town of Aachen to doing battle with wild Vikings. There is an economy to look after and heavy taxes to pay to the church and to the current rulers. The welfare of the local people must be catered for and diplomacy is also an acquired skill that plays a great role in the game. Campaign mode consists of 17 levels, taking the player through a historical and combat heavy tour of medieval Europe. Build your army and let your economy prosper and then do battle either in single player mode or in a multiplayer session on the Internet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A letdown, January 10, 2006

By 

Robb (Steilacoom, WA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Kings Of The Dark Ages (Video Game)

This game would have been good had it come out in the early 90's but with todays graphics and depth unfortunately Kings of the Dark Ages is lacking.

The turn based pace of this is slow and made even slower by plodding movements when you command your army to advance down a road. What makes it even worse is that you cannot perform any other commands while the army is making it slow crawl. In one game it took me an hour and 20 minutes to move my army to the other side of the map, attack the enemy and realize that they were too strong, meaning I would need another hour to backtrack and attack the weaker army on the other side. Watching your army move, then clicking end turn and repeating over and over again isnt my ideal way to spend an evening of gaming.

Aside from movement the game is really lacking in your ability to interact with the population. You have about 5 basic commands you can execute (turn fields fallow, plant, visit the merchant, assign woodcutters) and thats just about it.

The battles are difficult to control, graphics outdated and formations/commands available very limited.

Random events that occur seem to have little if any effect on the game and translation errors seem common (ie "your poor diplomacy has closed some trade ROOTS to you)

All in all, not worth purchasing. This game lacks in challenge and ther is no replay value. If there was one plus, its the retail price of 9.99 but even that doesnt make up for the boring play.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid, March 7, 2006

By 

Leung Ting (Bay Area) - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Kings Of The Dark Ages (Video Game)

I've always been a huge fan of an old school medieval & fantasy strategy games but it's getting harder and harder to find a solid 2D titles. This retro 2D TBS from German publisher may be one of the last 'cause even smaller independent developers around the world are switching to next-gen hardware which leaves such old school 2D projects in the hands of fan developers. TKOtDA is an old (or should I say an ancient) school TBS with real time battles which graphically resembles HOMM in its TBS part and Stronghold in batllefield Castle Siege maps. Gameplay is strictly traditional with nothing really fancy but it holds up pretty well with it's precursors, while the overall presentations and amount of visual details on real time battlefield maps is somewhat bellow Stronghold standards. On the other hand, turn based part gives it an edge with it's more complex micromanagement and beautiful atmospheric orchestral soundtrack which contributes greatly to medieval atmosphere.
This is not a great title by today standards but more of a bit of nostalgia. There are some rough edges (visuals are sub par) but overall gameplay experience, historical background and authentic medieval atmposhere could prove quite satisfying for fans of dying 2D strategy genre and not to mention price.