Knights of the Cross

Release Date: April 29, 2002

Strategy, turn-based, the middle ages

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Turn-based strategy set in the Polish historical reality, in the period before and after the Battle of Grunwald, when knights of the Teutonic Knights invaded the Polish lands. We can stand on both sides of this war. The game depicts faithfully the military units and the relationship between the forces of the parties to the conflict.

Knights of the Cross is a strategic game based upon true historical facts from the famous Polish novel wrote by Henryk Sienkiewicz. The events of the game take place in the 15th century, the period before and after the battle of Tannenberg (Grünwald) in the year 1410, one of most important battles of medieval history and one of great importance for both Polish and German history. A Knight of the Cross is the name of the Germanic Order of Teutonic Knights (their actual title was The Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. Mary of the Teutons in Jerusalem). This monastic order of knightly Crusaders, having left the holy land, was empowered by Pope Clement III , and the Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick II, who in 1226, authorised these ‘crusaders’ to invade ‘pagan’ Poland, Lithuanian and Estonian lands to bring them back into the Catholic religion. In reality, they were out to carve a kingdom for themselves and reduce Poland to a vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor . The name of the warriors came from their appearance, white tunics and coats emblazoned with the black Teotonic crosses. The powerful army of the Christian Polish kingdom stood alone against these Knights of the Cross and their invasion based on land expansion.

You are one of these Christian lords choosing your side. As a knight you have your own army, making use of it in many missions given to you by your master - either : Vladislav V, King of Poland or The Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. The war between the German Teutonic Order and the Polish Kingdom is in itself a great challenge for each strategist. Each side of the conflict has its own unique set of armament and units; knowledge of weaknesses and strong points can be a decisive factor in winning the battle. Choose your favourite side and make use of its tactics, history and strategic skills. Can you, the player, change history by your strategy?

• Two independent campaigns, two sides of the conflict: The Polish Kingdom and the Knights of the Cross

• 102 Battles! 49 Polish, 53 German played on beautifully rendered environmental terrain maps

• A Minimum of 50 hours of play and long evenings of addicting fun

• Each campaign is controlled by a knight with his own army following. After each battle he may buy new units or upgrade his old ones. Choose a unit and buy new equipment: swords, new armour, longbows or crossbows for them the choice is yours

• Effects of weather play a large part in the game. The direction of the wind and its influence on distance and aiming affects the precision of your bowmen

• Detailed historic units and balanced units for each side of the conflict

• 23 Polish and 23 German battle maps which can be played in the skirmish mode

• Amazing battlefields with incredible detail, such as flying birds, running water, smoke and other lifelike effects

• Changing weather conditions - rain, snow, storms as well as sunny days

• Original, medieval music accompanied by realistic sounds enhance the players feel of the period

Last updated on August 14, 2015

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