The mechanics are fairly simple. It's a turn based game. Every turn you get resources similar to the Heros titles. There's no random encounters and units level up after getting enough XP. You can branch them off like your soldiers can become witch hunters or paladins that give them resistance to mental spells or massive defence respectivly. You really only need one adventuring hero and another to defend, but that's about it. Whoever has the more power will win unless its agains the CPU. So the basic strat would be to kill their big hero then roll over the rest. The artwork is what drew me into this game when i was younger. The story is passable and not all stories have a happy ending. Some even end the faction. Definatly worth it on sale and a total dad game.
The source code was released on this, but the thing is that not all of it was released. I played the open-source version of the game and its very glitchy, and requires the user to write in code. This is pretty much how I remember playing it. And it doesn't glitch on certain missions, like in the freeware version. The only marketable difference is that it doesn't say it has the expansion Righteous Fire in it. But according to reviews it does. I think its far worth the 5-6 bucks to buy this and not have the glitches. Oh, and the speech is here, lips move, upgrades show and battle damage to. Not to mention the scenery moves. Playing the freeware version is like looking through a picture viewer with an attack option. This is how i remember it back in the day. Way to go GOG. This will make you wanna get a stick and throttle controls to get the full effect.
KnM is a RTS that takes a LONG time, but being the fact that it challenges both resource gathering AND logistics (for the slower ones that's moving supplies around) it demands a different play style. AI's don't attack (cuz if they did you would be swamped every time. Units follow a basic rock paper scissors comparison. But its complexity is more managing your town then fighting. If you die, raise more troops and fight again. Now on to the real review. Back in the day I only played the demo and remembering hanging out on message boards getting reviews. It's still stellar. There is a mod out there (on how I found this game and site) that allows basic manipulation of the game speed. If you don't wanna wait an hour to get good units that dominate the feild, I suggest downloading the Knights and Merchants Remake. It will modify the game to 'update' it to an RTS with more manipulation. Unit travel, fast forward, stopping, quick saving. But if you want the full experience. Just play. Its a great stress reliever, until famine hits and your frustrated at yourself for building that store house or inn in the wrong place.
