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Kohan II: Kings of War

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 38 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 8 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Global Star Software

Developer: TimeGate Studios

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: September 21, 2004

Summary

Ages have passed since the Cataclysm and the complacency of time has set in. A shadow has once again fallen across the land. Rumors abound of strang creatures prowling the night. War comes ever more frequently and a deep-rooted unease holds the hearts of men in its grip. Brother has turned against brother and the great Houses of Kohan have erupted into civil war. The Shadow is rising and a new evil is spreading its wings. Will you stand against the shadow in this time of darkness? Kings of War, the latest game to the award winning fantasy real-time strategy series Kohan, returns players to the magical world of Khaldun. Players will find themselves caught up in a civil war, even as greater threats loom on the horizon. Fighting through armies of hundreds, laying siege to dozens of cities across diverse environments, players must learn to become Kings of War. [TimeGate Studios]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Kohan: Ahriman's Gift Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Games Domain Preview GameSpot Hands-On GameSpy Preview IGN Hands-On Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Australian GamePro

A great technical achievement in terms of RTS design evolution.

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Gamezilla!

A solid sequel and although not as innovative as the original, it still draws you in with a well developed story and balanced gameplay.

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Game Chronicles

You will be hard pressed to find another fantasy RTS game that has the engrossing background and storyline of Kohan II: Kings of War.

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Warcry

They've taken all of the best gameplay elements from "Immortal Sovereigns" and wrapped them in a breath-takingly beautiful package.

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Computer Gaming World

Because of the fantasy setting and the powerful new graphics engine, cranked-down zoomed-in battles can be spectacular in a way that Creative Assembly's "Shogun" and "Medieval" battles can only dream of. [Dec 2004, p.90]

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Gamers' Temple

A true strategy gamer’s strategy game.

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Computer Games Magazine

Undoubtedly the best strategy game released so far in 2004. And that's all. [Nov 2004, p.84]

GameSpy

Elegantly designed, challenging, beautiful, and one of the best games released this year.

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Gaming Nexus

A bit more thoughtful than many RTS games, Kohan 2 is perfect for those wanting a deeper real time strategy. With yet another rush of RTS games being released, don’t overlook this gem.

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GamingTrend

Once you get spoiled by the leisurely pace of the game, absence of micromanagement, and the emphasis on actual strategy, you may never want to go back!

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IGN

Any RTS gamer who's tired of the same old crap will definitely enjoy the unique take on the genre. There's certainly been more innovation among RTS titles over the last few years but Kohan 2 still stands out as one of the best.

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3DAvenue

The simple interface system works well, the controls are flawless, the graphics aren't too shabby and the gameplay provides a good balance of management and action.

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PGNx Media

The environments are large and full of detail, and the same could be said for the game’s fully 3D units who animate very splendidly.

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GameSpot

It plays similarly to the original yet has so much more to it that makes it unquestionably different. The resulting game has a great design, and it offers plenty of depth and complexity.

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GameZone

While there is resource management present, the game has simplified it to building and upgrading structures to help keep it simple and balance between that and action.

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Worth Playing

Timegate Studios has worked on what was perceived to be Kohan’s biggest weakness: its graphics. To this end they succeeded, the game looks good now.

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IC-Games

This difficulty will possibly put some off, but for the people that continue on regardless there is a title to be found that will take an age to play, plus a game that will give a lot of satisfaction once you complete.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Kohan II: Kings of War is a good quality RTS that manages to stand out from the RTS crowd.

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PC Format

Fantasy RTS with a very level head.

GMR Magazine

Despite the lack of dazzling graphics or a riveting single-player game, Kings of War is a refreshingly entertaining game that gives players a good break from RTS conventions.

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Gamer's Hell

All of the aspects of a great game were there: Good graphics, good sound, great AI, and compelling story. However, the fact is that the gameplay really wasn’t fun at all.

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Boomtown

It's scrubbed up good, it's smarter and it's more varied, but it's fundamentally the same as the first Kohan game. Fortunately for Timegate, that means they've still produced an entertaining, rather individual game.

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ActionTrip

Has a lot to offer to every strategy fan despite its downsides, such as the unreliable AI, its rather linear campaign and lack of practical use of many of its units. It is still a very good and addictive game, with many improvements made - in the gameplay as well as in the most obvious factor, the graphics.

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Armchair Empire

On the normal difficulty setting most veterans of the genre are bound to find the game too easy.

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Yahoo! Games

Kohan II's single-player campaign is passable, but doesn't do as much to break the RTS mould as the rest of the game. Most players will head straight for skirmish matches against the AI, and just like the original, they'll find it excellent, challenging, and convincing, as enemy or teammate.

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Thunderbolt

While other games coming out might be flashier and bigger and badder and all that crap, what it really comes down to is good strategy and in that aspect Kohan II really nails it.

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Game Informer

A good solid RTS slugfest with some interesting elements. Veterans of the genre should enjoy the variations on strategy that it brings, while the AI-controlled combat keeps gameplay accessible to newcomers to the genre. [Oct 2004, p.144]

GameBiz

Following the tale with new environments, new goals, and new characters Kohan II is a good buy for any fan, and/or RTS gamer. However, if you’re new to the RTS genre you should probably check out a more familiar game first, such as "Age of Empires," "Red Alert," or "Warcraft."

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1UP

The setting, story, and graphics of Kohan II are so full of cliches that one is almost surprised to find a wonderfully original and engaging game beneath the generic packaging.

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PC Gamer

I'm not a big fan of the game's pacing, either. Kohan II can be agonizingly slow in the beginning, which on the one hand is nice because it discourages rushing, but on the other hand...well, it's boring. [Nov 2004, p.104]

Computer and Video Games

While there's little here that we haven't seen before in some shape or form, Kohan II brings it all together tidily. RTS fans, or those looking for a better than average example of the genre, should lap it up.

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Gamers Europe

Solid. It’s neither here nor there, it’s not trying to do anything radical over the original Kohan and it doesn’t mess up any of the advances it does make. An overall well-realised RTS.

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Game Over Online

It is also diminished by the inability to keep the results you've tallied during a mission; namely the veteran status of your officers and soldiers.

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Eurogamer

"Solid" is one of those terrible damning-with-faint-praise words which will have anyone cringing but it's the one that applies. It's a well-built, well-made, well-designed well-solid RTS, and of its type, one of the finest of the year.

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Adrenaline Vault

Its updated graphics and method of control breathes some new life into a well-worn building-conquest genre, even if the mission types are the same as most other RTS titles on the market.

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Computer Games Online RO

Being quite simple and with a short learning curve, it's mainly focused on players who are new to the strategy genre. Micromanagement can scare off a fresh gamer, but it can really make the difference when it comes to hardcore strategy fans.

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G4 TV

Mediocre presentation also holds it back a bit, but Kohan II is otherwise a solid and unique strategy game.

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Gaming Age

Fares poorly compared to other genre offerings, and I’d be hard-pressed to recommend it.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Steve P gave it a0:
Beware, the game secretly installs malware - SecuROM. It is likely to cause problems with your computer and is almost impossible to remove.

Arne the crucible gave it a9:
This game is almost perfect, the graphics are not excellent, but the gameplay beats any other game!!!

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
I love this game!

Blake T. gave it a 6:
If you like less control and more automation, this is the game for you. Kohan II is all about strategy and pretty much nothing else. You have little to no base control and your troop composition is pre-designed. For the most part, the game plays itself for you. Don't expect your typical RTS. In their effort to limit micromanagement, they have totally stripped away the variety and style associated with successful RTS games. Their developer said, "If you don't like it, don't buy it." Unfortunately, I didn't take his advice. Don't make my mistake.

Alessandro T. gave it an 8:
The game is interesting and challenging. the AI is very well programmed: it uses various tactics and maneuvering to beat you. The game is polished and runs very well on an average machine. The only minor problem is that sometimes matches take 1,5 or 2 hours to finish. My personal mark is 82/100. Timegate, you have done a good work!

Oliver K. gave it a 10:
This game is must for every strategy gamer. 1. Beautiful graphics, very detailed. A lot of love and care has gone into it. However, the slow/chunky scrolling can be quite a pain in the .... 2. The four races are quite different and each has its unique flair. 3. More strategy in this one than in any other RTS I played (except Kohan I) - this includes Blitzkrieg, WC3, Starcraft, Ground Control. 4. GREAT SOUND - both effects and music. 5. Cool, convincing gameworld (A LOT BETTER than WC3) 6. This is not a title driven by a popular franchise but rather a title driven by its depth of gameplay and multiplayer fun/challenge. 7. Help timegate and give them some money by buing it - its a small developer doing great things for the PC-community. Oliver

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Kohan II: Kings of War

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Also On Metacritic

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