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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! :)
avatar
Sat42: 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! :)
If you are looking to try one for starters I would suggest Crossworlds. From all the reviews (and this forum) it seems the most bug free. Similarly with The Dark Side.

The Legend has a problem part way through which can be resolved but seems a bit tricky (to me anyway). Just look here for "Upper Haldar" problem.

Also Warriors seems to have been badly received due to some bugs. It's the one I didn't buy.

So either Crossworlds or the Dark Side. Depends I guess if you want to play as a good princess or an orc type. They both seem good, though apart from a load and few moves test I have yet to seriously try The Dark Side. I am playing Crossworlds at the moment and enjoying it. It is much the same as Legend but in a different setting.

At these prices I would recommend Crossworlds and The Dark Side.
avatar
Sat42: 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! :)
avatar
bonzer: If you are looking to try one for starters I would suggest Crossworlds. From all the reviews (and this forum) it seems the most bug free. Similarly with The Dark Side.

The Legend has a problem part way through which can be resolved but seems a bit tricky (to me anyway). Just look here for "Upper Haldar" problem.

Also Warriors seems to have been badly received due to some bugs. It's the one I didn't buy.

So either Crossworlds or the Dark Side. Depends I guess if you want to play as a good princess or an orc type. They both seem good, though apart from a load and few moves test I have yet to seriously try The Dark Side. I am playing Crossworlds at the moment and enjoying it. It is much the same as Legend but in a different setting.

At these prices I would recommend Crossworlds and The Dark Side.
Thanks for the detailed reply, bonzer! Your recommendation strengthens my initial impressions. I am certainly going to pick up Dark Side, that's for sure, but will consider Crossworlds as well. Will wait until the week-end before buying, to give me time to consider and maybe read some more opinions here.

Cheers!
avatar
bonzer: If you are looking to try one for starters I would suggest Crossworlds. From all the reviews (and this forum) it seems the most bug free. Similarly with The Dark Side.

The Legend has a problem part way through which can be resolved but seems a bit tricky (to me anyway). Just look here for "Upper Haldar" problem.

Also Warriors seems to have been badly received due to some bugs. It's the one I didn't buy.

So either Crossworlds or the Dark Side. Depends I guess if you want to play as a good princess or an orc type. They both seem good, though apart from a load and few moves test I have yet to seriously try The Dark Side. I am playing Crossworlds at the moment and enjoying it. It is much the same as Legend but in a different setting.

At these prices I would recommend Crossworlds and The Dark Side.
avatar
Sat42: Thanks for the detailed reply, bonzer! Your recommendation strengthens my initial impressions. I am certainly going to pick up Dark Side, that's for sure, but will consider Crossworlds as well. Will wait until the week-end before buying, to give me time to consider and maybe read some more opinions here.

Cheers!
You're welcome. You could always try YouTube for some Lets Plays, Reviews or Gameplay. Careful though, they can be addictive.
If you're only going to get one, I would say get Legend. It's the original and I enjoyed it the most.
I've played through most of them a few times and would agree with UniversalWolf that Legend is well worth picking up. The gameplay is solid and there is just something about the game which draws you back. I also enjoy playing Warriors of the North (regardless of the few bugs!) and Dark Side immensely. The game which is my least favourite (but seems to be everyone else's!) is Crossworlds. I don't know why but I've only played through it once and didn't have as much fun with that game as with all the others. Maybe it is time to revisit it and give it another go...

Anyway, which ever one you choose, I'm sure you'll have fun with it, they really are great games :)
Cheers for the replies, everyone.

I am now the happy owner of King's Bounty: Dark Side!

Won't be able to play immediately, but looking forward to it!

Happy gaming :)
avatar
Sat42: Cheers for the replies, everyone.

I am now the happy owner of King's Bounty: Dark Side!

Won't be able to play immediately, but looking forward to it!

Happy gaming :)
Good choice - I'm sure when you play it you'll enjoy it :)