Posted November 07, 2017
Hi all,
So I had a good hard look at various reviews for the King's Bounty series (both on GOG and elsewhere), and I am interested in getting one of the titles - just one. ("If you played one, you played them all" in this case or so the saying goes. Feel free to argue otherwise.)
Story seems fairly unimportant here so I am OK with just checking out summaries or videos on the Web that showcase the plots in other titles. (Again, do voice your disagreement if you feel the storytelling in this series is worth it.)
Let me try and break down the high level impressions I got from these reviews:
- The Legend: good entry overall, probably the best way to ease in newcomers. Friendly atmosphere, charming, humorous, mechanics work, no notable grievances... perhaps a little unbalanced?
- Crossworlds [GOTY (includes Armored Princess)]: usually considered by fans to be the best in the series. Most balanced (a few disagree though, in light of all the current entries in the series), has an actually non-insignificant story line (has "a thing going on", according to some), still humorous and richer from a gameplay standpoint. Note: it comes with an editor!
- Warriors of the North: usually considered by fans to be the worst in the series. Story considered boring, humour might be less present, unbalanced compared to previous entry BUT also introduces new notable gameplay mechanics such as normal units gaining experience points. And of course, it includes all the units from previous games. Note: editor from Crossworlds can be made to work with Warriors of the North.
- Dark Side: has the advantage of proposing an original synopsis. Besides that, it can be considered the best entry in the series, technically (not accounting for player fatigue - for those who've been through the previous entries): comprises all units from previous games and adds some of its own, meaning the number of possible combinations for combat is higher than ever before; three protagonists with their own backgrounds; most complex exploration and quest system yet (those who like a more streamlined approach like in The Legend won't like this obviously). Humour is strong again, and balance seems fine (better than previous entry, perhaps not as good as in Crossworlds).
Note: it seems unclear whether the editor from Crossworlds can be made to work with Dark Side.
Please make your thoughts known!
I will be honest: so far, it seems to me that the most attractive option is Dark Side. I am new to the series, have only time for one title, and this one seems the richest of them all (excepting the possible lack of editor).
However, I am keen to hear what other people think might be the best title in the series! :)
So I had a good hard look at various reviews for the King's Bounty series (both on GOG and elsewhere), and I am interested in getting one of the titles - just one. ("If you played one, you played them all" in this case or so the saying goes. Feel free to argue otherwise.)
Story seems fairly unimportant here so I am OK with just checking out summaries or videos on the Web that showcase the plots in other titles. (Again, do voice your disagreement if you feel the storytelling in this series is worth it.)
Let me try and break down the high level impressions I got from these reviews:
- The Legend: good entry overall, probably the best way to ease in newcomers. Friendly atmosphere, charming, humorous, mechanics work, no notable grievances... perhaps a little unbalanced?
- Crossworlds [GOTY (includes Armored Princess)]: usually considered by fans to be the best in the series. Most balanced (a few disagree though, in light of all the current entries in the series), has an actually non-insignificant story line (has "a thing going on", according to some), still humorous and richer from a gameplay standpoint. Note: it comes with an editor!
- Warriors of the North: usually considered by fans to be the worst in the series. Story considered boring, humour might be less present, unbalanced compared to previous entry BUT also introduces new notable gameplay mechanics such as normal units gaining experience points. And of course, it includes all the units from previous games. Note: editor from Crossworlds can be made to work with Warriors of the North.
- Dark Side: has the advantage of proposing an original synopsis. Besides that, it can be considered the best entry in the series, technically (not accounting for player fatigue - for those who've been through the previous entries): comprises all units from previous games and adds some of its own, meaning the number of possible combinations for combat is higher than ever before; three protagonists with their own backgrounds; most complex exploration and quest system yet (those who like a more streamlined approach like in The Legend won't like this obviously). Humour is strong again, and balance seems fine (better than previous entry, perhaps not as good as in Crossworlds).
Note: it seems unclear whether the editor from Crossworlds can be made to work with Dark Side.
Please make your thoughts known!
I will be honest: so far, it seems to me that the most attractive option is Dark Side. I am new to the series, have only time for one title, and this one seems the richest of them all (excepting the possible lack of editor).
However, I am keen to hear what other people think might be the best title in the series! :)
