King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame

1. Miskin

   Jan 27, 2012

   10

   Innovative and fun strategy game with an interesting mixture of role-playing elements. Adored the concept, and its implementation.
   
   OnInnovative and fun strategy game with an interesting mixture of role-playing elements. Adored the concept, and its implementation.
   
   On campaign map it reminds me Disciples 2, which was a true gem. Battles are very much Total War like. If you like epic style Lord of the Rings theme games, you will probably adore it.
   
   The graphics are stunning, both on campaign and battle level. The music is a pleasure for the ears. Nevertheless, performance issues have been reported for not high-end specs users. Overall the game is quite polished, but has some minor bugs. However, the designer team worked pretty hard so far on the feedback received from the community.
   
   I would also like to praise the AI of the battle engine of the game. The enemy cavalry beautifully performed flanking attacks chasing my archers away from behind of the bulk of my army.
   
   I have decided to give this a 10, predominantly for its innovative spirit, captivating environment and story-telling. Please note that this review is based on the dead legions version of the game.… Expand

   • 10 of 22 users found this helpful
2. EdwardAnderson

   Dec 15, 2012

   9

   This is easily one of the most under-rated games I've had the pleasure to play. All in all, this is a really impressive game and I'm sad thatThis is easily one of the most under-rated games I've had the pleasure to play. All in all, this is a really impressive game and I'm sad that I let the negative reviews on metacritic stop me from buying it earlier. It's an absolute gem, that strongly built on the first game in every way.
   
   I found the huge number of heroes and different paths to take their skills really quite enjoyable. Then there are the vast number of magical items you can find, craft or buy. The effect on the battlefield is substanital.
   
   The battles are simply gorgeous, with easily the best graphics I've seen in this style of game. The landscapes play a good role in the game, but more could have been made of these interesting maps. There is much more detail on them than in Total War.
   
   There is a decent mix of units and cavalry charges are working nicely. There are some interesting choices to be made on how you upgrade your units as well, as you can't do everything!
   
   The diplomacy was a nice twist, not hugely complex, but yet more choices on how to customise your units, recruit unique ones, or gain other effects.
   
   The story was solid and drove the game well all the way to the end. The campaign map is much bigger than in the first game and boats a deal more complexity in gameplay as well.
   
   Research is similar to the first but upgrading buidlings is far more decentralised, it's not just at your strongholds that you need to do this.
   
   The game did crash a few times for me, but I didn't find it really hindered things, it was just a case of replaying the odd battle. Yes, this was frustrating but I found the battles fun so no big issue.… Expand

   • 3 of 3 users found this helpful
4. Hichiach

   Jan 30, 2012

   9

   Great game with many improvements. I love the quests, they are well-written and fun, now there's a voice over on every single quest which isGreat game with many improvements. I love the quests, they are well-written and fun, now there's a voice over on every single quest which is really helpful as I don't really like reading that much and I really like how the guys expanded the diplomacy options since the first game. Now you can choose from many different alternatives and it definitely adds to the game. The battles feel a lot more balanced and you are not forced anymore to take those locations on the maps, it is still worth it though because they can give you really cool spells like Lightning Bolt or Crystal Shards or they can boost your shield and protect you. I especially like the flying beasts and the new magic shield and that I can break enemy spells. My biggest issue with the first game was that the enemy hero could kill my strongest unit in no time with a good spell, but now I can boost my shield and it does not happen again if I pay attention. So I really like the game and I think it is fun. It still has a couple of bugs though, so I can't give it a 10 yet, but nothing that can't be patched in the next few weeks and it is still fun even with those around.… Expand

   • 11 of 19 users found this helpful
5. SuRathanil

   Jun 7, 2012

   6

   Pros
   -Good graphics
   -Interesting gameplay events -Arthurian lore -A solidly built RTS -Interesting battles -Interesting creatures to use orPros
   -Good graphics
   -Interesting gameplay events
   -Arthurian lore
   -A solidly built RTS
   -Interesting battles
   -Interesting creatures to use or fight on the battlefield
   
   Cons
   -Repetitive
   -Battles, and battle controls, feel awkward at times
   -Lack of true RP depth, many areas of gameplay, but still feels shallow
   -No real improves you can feel over king Arthur 1
   -Struggles to keep pace with its rival game, shogun 2
   
   The game is alright, but I would give the first game a 8 taking everything into account with its time of release. King Arthur 2 however I give a 6, because I couldn't see a major improvement. The areas of the game I wanted improved and built on seen no new improvements really, and it was disheartening. I didn't hate the game, I actually put 20+ hours into gameplay. I just was so bored with the first game, I couldn't get into the 2nd game because it was just a carbon copy of the first game. If its your first time ever playing a game in this series and you love knights of the round table, Arthurian lore, and RTS games, you will probably love this game.
   
   It is on sale right now for $5 through steam, and its a killer buy for a game that is decent the first play through. Be warned it has no real replay value, atleast with me it didn't, but everyone is different.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
6. UnpaidCritic

   Jan 30, 2012

   5

   A nice mix between a RPG and RTS. Just like the first King Arthur game.
   Interesting setting, rich lore and deep gameplay.
   But then there isA nice mix between a RPG and RTS. Just like the first King Arthur game.
   Interesting setting, rich lore and deep gameplay.
   
   
   But then there is the technical state of King Arthur II. Crashes, bugs and game breaking glitches will accompany you you throughout the entire time you spend with this RTS.
   These are only topped by the performance issues. Unless you have an absolute high end machine (possibly even then), King Arthur 2 will deliver FPS way below the acceptable 30 frame limit. Dropping down to less than 20 frames regularly during the larger battles, making said skirmishes unplayable at times.
   
   Just like its predecessor this promising game is held back by a desolate technical state.
   King Arthur II is an unfinished product, a work in progress (that may or may not get fixed with upcoming patches), but ultimately not recommendable to anyone in its current state.… Expand

   • 10 of 11 users found this helpful
7. Gene

   Feb 5, 2012

   4

   If you want a fantasy Total War game do not buy this. The combat is anemic and simply not fun. Most of the nuance that made TW great isIf you want a fantasy Total War game do not buy this. The combat is anemic and simply not fun. Most of the nuance that made TW great is completely missing, No morale, routs, or fatigue. In stead you get anemic battles of attrition and "puzzle maps" where you have to slog your way through capture point to capture point. This is a puzzle based RTS with a turn based campaign map. I found myself auto-skipping most combats, but once in a while the game finds some lame story based battle that I can't skip. The game thinks I need to see this, I beg to differ. The campaign is sort of fun, but considering that I got this game with the intention of doing the battles, I just don't see the rest of the package being worth the money.… Expand

   • 5 of 11 users found this helpful
8. Marcballer

   Jul 13, 2012

   0

   Shortly put, if you're a fan of the Total War series, avoid this game. It will be a major disappointment at every level. And NOT necesarilyShortly put, if you're a fan of the Total War series, avoid this game. It will be a major disappointment at every level. And NOT necesarily because it's a bad game! I am a 13+ year veteran of the entire Total War series and was primed for a level of play that this game simply wasn't able to deliver. Although it has some neat features I sadly found myself constantly saying "they should have done X, Y, and Z like Total War". I would reccomend this game to people who are new(ish) to straegy games, but then to then move up to the TW series. But if you're a TW vet like me, you'll want to try other games. I found Crusader Kings II and Europa Universalis III to be much more rewarding, and complex. As long as you're not hooked on the real time battles.… Expand

   • 1 of 4 users found this helpful

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