Knights of Honor

Release Date: October 1, 2004

Strategy, economic, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN

93%

Steam

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An extensive real-time strategy, prepared by the Black Sea Studios development team with an action taking place in the Middle Ages. Our task is to create a powerful empire and conquer hostile nations. In order to achieve this, we must master the art of war, diplomacy and economics.

Knights of Honor is the first Empire Conquering Simulation in real-time, and your goal is simple - become the Emperor of all of Europe by fair or foul means.

Never lose sight of your goal - to rule all of Europe.

The game's mix of Real Time Strategy and out and out Wargame provides something for all kinds of players, bringing in a much-needed Simulation element.

Think on your feet because the decision of how you conquer Europe is at last thrust into your own hands.

The Knights are the most important element of the game and with them you will fight wars, manage provinces and secure trade agreements with the other rulers. Think of the Knights as a finite resource, after all you have nine slots to fill with these powerful, brave and bold men.

You can fight, trade, make peace and alliances to achieve your goal while building up a successful Kingdom using the Knights in a variety of roles while other rulers are doing exactly the same.

You will play in one of three major time periods during an age rife with conquest and confrontation.

Early Medieval - about 1000 AD

High Medieval - about 1200 AD

Late Medieval - about 1350 AD

Each period represents a milestone in the medieval ages and comes with its own trials and tribulations; the Kingdom you choose affects the difficulty and challenge of the game. For example, you can choose England and you will get a large Kingdom with many resources compared to Aragon. Your economic and social situations, province sizes and how the rest of the world reacts towards you will be totally different.

In Knights of Honor your goal is simple - become the Emperor of all Europe by fair means or foul. But keep in mind that you are not playing in a static environment and the rest of Europe is vying for the same, so you will be inundated with requests or threats from fellow rulers as well as numerous agreements and perhaps even special missions.

Features:

-Three main game views provide a platform on which to make global decisions and perform tactical actions for all aspects of: Warfare, Espionage, Religion, Diplomacy & Kingdom Management.

-6 different types of Knights; some with special abilities and upgrades allowing them to achieve different objectives within the game: Marshal, Spy, Merchant, Landlord, Builder and Cleric.

-Command your loyal Knights to conquer enemy kingdoms, perform devious espionage actions or rule over your own provinces in different ways.

-Featuring one of the largest maps ever seen in the world of games with three historical entry periods, each with a totally different political situation and more than 100 playable kingdoms.

-3 geographical regions with over 150 provinces and different architectural styles such as Western & Eastern European as well as Arabian.

-More than 60 structures & upgrades that can be built to improve the production or defence capabilities of the province.

-A unique battle-system with tactical elements and more than 50 different types of military units and siege weaponry at the player's disposal.

-9 different types of battle including: Town Assault, Camp Assault, Open Battlefield and River Crossing.

Last updated on August 14, 2015

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93%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (2,076)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Nostalgia and Enjoyment: Many players express a strong sense of nostalgia, stating that the game defined their taste for strategy games during their childhood and remains enjoyable even years later.
Deep Strategic Management: Users appreciate the game's depth in strategic management, including province management, economic development, and military recruitment, indicating that every decision significantly impacts the kingdom's evolution.
Variety of Factions: A large number of factions to choose from, each with unique characteristics, adds to the replayability and diversity of gameplay.
Engaging Diplomacy and Intrigue: The game features a robust diplomatic system where players can forge alliances, manipulate enemies, and engage in espionage, enhancing the overall experience.
Real-time Battles: Players enjoy the dynamic nature of real-time battles, where they can control their armies directly, adding a layer of strategy to combat.
High Replayability: The combination of different factions, strategies, and scenarios ensures that each playthrough feels unique.

The main cons of the game

AI Difficulty: Several reviews mention that the AI is not very challenging, making it easier to master once players become familiar with the game mechanics.
Technical Issues: Players report occasional crashes, especially on Windows 10, and some found that the game does not always run smoothly without tweaks.
Limited Features: Some users noted limitations in the number of court members and buildings available, which can hinder effective management and strategy.
Late Game Simplification: The late game can become repetitive, with some players finding it easy to dominate once they have established a strong military presence.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Enhanced Diplomacy Options: Users expressed a desire for more complex diplomatic interactions and negotiations, suggesting that the current system could be expanded.
AI Improvement: There is a call for a more challenging AI to keep the gameplay engaging throughout all stages.
Multiplayer Functionality: Some players wish for easier access to multiplayer options, as it can be cumbersome on Steam.
Customization and Modding Support: Although some mention existing mods, there is a desire for better support for modding to enhance gameplay further.

Summary

Overall, "Knights of Honor" is praised for its nostalgic value, strategic depth, and engaging gameplay, while also facing criticism for technical issues and the need for more complex features.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024