Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes
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| Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes | |
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| Developer(s) | Blueside, Phantagram |
| Publisher(s) | NA Microsoft |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release date | NA September 20, 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Crowd-combat fighting game / Real-time tactics and some RPG elements |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer online |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: M (Mature) PEGI: 12+ |
| Input methods | Gamepad |
Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes is an action strategy game, the sequel to Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders, released in 2005 for the Xbox.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
Both games deal with commanding large armies in epic, magical battles. When the commanding unit enters a battle, the player can control the hero. Each group or army consists of 20 to 30 soldiers, but the player is limited to only five armies and a support unit per game. A support unit, or a special unit, is an army whose main attack does not rely on the race that you control (Humans, Orcs, Dark Elves) but instead on technology for the humans and magical creatures for the Orcs and Dark Elves. Support units are directed and used as powers instead of regular army units and besides the Swamp Mammoth, all support units fly.
Besides a new storyline, commanders, and game type, there are also four new units that look like support units, but act as regular ones. The Fire Wraiths, Ice Maidens, Thunder Rhino, and Earth Golem use their respective elements to destroy enemy forces quickly.
In Heroes the player has access to seven new heroes, all of whom were in Crusaders: Ellen (half-elf), Leinhart (half-vampire), Urukubarr (ogre), Rupert (human), Cirith (dark-elf), Morrene (half-vampire), and Walter (human).
Each character has their own campaign which determines the time period of gameplay. When playing as Ellen, Leinhart, or Urukubarr, the game takes place five years before Crusaders. As Morene, Cirith, Rupert, or Walter, the game takes place during Crusaders.
[edit] Storyline
[edit] Five Years Before The Encablossa War
A group of half Vampires, led by Valdemar, united the warring Dark Elf factions to establish a single Dark Elf kingdom in the easterly Bersian continent. They called this kingdom Vellond.
Vellond was the first unified kingdom of Dark Elves in the continent's history, and this marked the first time the Dark Elves had been ruled by another race.
Valdemar knew that the dark Elves would revolt unless given a new target for their anger and resentment. Aiming to expand his territory and control the internal disturbance, Valdemar used Vellond to invade Arein and annex Hexter. Arein was an autonomous community of Elves within the Hironeiden territory. The dark Elves' hatred for the Elves made Arein the perfect outlet for their rage.
Before Vellond's appeasement policy, dozens of Ogre and Orc tribes inhabited Hexter, where they coexisted peacefully. Vellond selected an ambitious yet weak tribe from among the Orcs and began supporting it with military supplies. As expected, the tribe began absorbing other tribes within eastern Hexter, and Hexter was soon engulfed in a war between pro-Vellond and anti-Vellond factions.
Vellond's plan seemed to be working perfectly. But even Valdemar could not foresee every possibility. A single detail, overlooked by Vellond, not only foiled the plans of that nation, but plunged the entire continent of Bersia into turmoil. And so began the Encablossa War...
[edit] Heroes
- Ellen
Ellen is a Half-elf who begins her story serving under the command of Sir Justino, who in turn is under the command of Sir Walter the commander of all Ecclesian forces. At the start of the her story she is ordered by the Ecclesian army to assist the Castle of Arein, which is in Hironieden, and there she meets her future commander, Gerald.
[edit] Minor Heroes
- Sir Justino- A general of the Eccelsian Army but not the Patriarchal Emissaries, he has taken part in the battle for Arein and the war for the Holy Ground. He suggested to Walter to kill every villager and Grayhampton to protect the pact with Rithrin. He is eventually defeated at the battle of Nowart.
- Ebbard- An officer under Ellen. He is an adept fire mage and is loyal to the Ecclesian Empire. He doesn't believe that Ecclessia would do anything not in the best interest of the entire continent of Bersia. After learning that Ellen is a Half-Elf he tells the Patriarch of Ecclesia which causes the Patriarchal Guard to hunt her till death. He joins up with Ellen later and Ellen forgives him. He continues to serve her thereafter.
- Paltor- An officer under Ellen. An expert archer and somewhat rebellious, he disapproves many of Ecclesia's tactics especially the order to kill Ellen on sight which causes him to defect along with an infantry troop and meets up with Ellen far north of Ecclesia. His left arm seems to have been broken at one point, though he still manages to use a bow with great skill.
- Paroth- Hironiden's messenger. Paroth has some fighting skills and is a brilliant tactician. He is reluctantly placed under Rupert's care however the two become very good friends near the end of the war.
- Devald- An Orc Lich sent to watch over Prince Leinheart. Although he is there to supervise the Appeasement of Hexter, Leinheart supersedes Devald many times and commands the army as and when he deems fit. Devald directly advises Leinheart in a respectful and non-confrontational way.
- Ilfa- The leader of the elite Vellond Yenicheri's. Ilfa is a direct adivisor and bodyguard to King Valdemar. Ilfa and Morene usually dislike each other constantly but after the start of the Encablossa War the two drop their grudges and work together to get back to Vellond. At the end the player can choose to kill or spare Ilfa.
[edit] Critical reaction
Edge reviewed Heroes in issue 155, awarding 7 out of 10. The main criticisms were that some troop types are still unable to flourish during situations when they should, some AI glitches and inconsistencies, and it feels more like a set of tweaks and fixes than a fully honed sequel. However, it was still recognised as a stirring, challenging experience which rewards a player for using levelheaded, adaptive tactics. The chaotic, brutal melee combat and support for online play was also highlighted[1]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Edge magazine, issue E155, November 2005
| Preceded by Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders |
Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes 2005 |
Succeeded by Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom |
