Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders
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| Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders | |
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| Developer(s) | Phantagram |
| Publisher(s) | NA Microsoft |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release date | NA October 12, 2004 |
| Genre(s) | Fighting game / Real-time tactics |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: M (Mature) PEGI: 12+ |
Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders is a tactical wargame developed by the Korean studio Phantagram for the Xbox. It is the sequel to the 2001 game Kingdom Under Fire: A War of Heroes, and continues its storyline. Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders combines third-person action and role-playing elements in its gameplay, which differs from its predecessor. Its sequel is Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes. Another sequel is to be released in 2009 entitled Kingdom Under Fire II.
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[edit] Gameplay
The gameplay of Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders contains elements from the popular game Dynasty Warriors and aspects of various role-playing games. As well as controlling the main character, the player fights with multiple armies or "units", which are controlled in real-time with either a minimap or the main screen. When the main character's unit engages in mêlée with an enemy unit, the gameplay is similar to Dynasty Warriors.
[edit] Units
The unit-types of the game include:
- Infantry: Engage units in melee.
- Archers: Fire at ground and air targets. Dark Legion archers may fire from horses and Ballistas can target air units as well
- Artillery: (catapults, mortars, ballistas) Engages units indirectly from a long range.
- Airborne units: Engages units from the air, where only archers, specially designed ballistas, and magic can attack them.
- Cavalry: Does not actually engage in close combat but charges around and through the battlefield, disrupting ranks and causing massive troop damage.
- Sappers: Lays traps that serious damages enemy troops and can also set fire to forests. Can be used as a substitute for infantry. Pyrotechs for the Human Alliance may lay mines which causes more damage.
- Mortars: Functions just like archers with the exception to target air units but can take down castle walls. (Human Alliance only)
- Spearmen: Specialized troop which can take down enemy cavalry and immobilize troops in front of them. The Dark Legion version of spearmen are Orc Axemen
- Support Units: Units such as Storm Riders, Bomber Wings, Wyverns, Swamp Mammoths, and Dirigibles that can cause massive damage to the enemy.
- Scorpions: Huge living siege weapons that can take down castle walls and be used as infantry. They are also invulnerable to arrows. (Dark Legion Exclusive)
- Orc Ghouls: Dead Orcs risen from the grave that have very high defense but are vulnerable to holy. Can send a Orc to self destruct as a siege weapon. (Dark Legion Exclusive)
Note: any unit in close-quarter combat cannot be used for anything else until the combat is resolved. The exception to this is when two units are in close-quarter combat with the enemy. One could retreat one unit and the other unit will keep the enemy unit occupied. This allows the retreated unit to regain troops and/or use the attack it was meant for(archers/mages/catapults). In theory, one could retreat a single unit fighting another enemy unit, but the enemy unit would just reengage the retreating unit. The only single unit able to retreat from any one on whatever amount of enemies combat is the cavalry, who's unmatched speed allows it to disengage from close combat quickly and resume charging around the battlefield.
[edit] Combat magic
Besides normal combat, spells can be used in the battlefield. Most combat units can learn any kind of spell. Spells allow units to throw fireballs, call down meteors, heal the player's army, or send ghoulish suicide bombs to enemy forces.
[edit] The world
Kingdom Under Fire is set on the continent of Bersia, which is occupied by the following military powers:
- Ecclesia: A religious kingdom on the west coast of Bersia.
- Hironeiden: Another Human Kingdom south of Ecclesia.
- Azilia: A puppet kingdom controlled by Ecclesia.
- Arein: An elvish kingdom within Hironeiden.
- Vellond: The dark elf state ruled by half vampires.
- Hexter: A country full of orc and ogre tribes, commonwealth of Vellond.
[edit] Characters
Human Alliance
- Gerald: Six years ago, Gerald joined the Hironeiden Army as a soldier. Two years ago, showing exceptional valor during the Hexter invasion, he was promoted to Captain of the entire Eastern Defense Force. Clever and quick-witted, he confounds his enemies with unconventional, yet efficient tactics. Gerald excels at analyzing a situation accurately and values skill over rank or bloodline.
- Main Weapon: One-handed sword
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Kendal: A General of the Second Division Ecclecian Holy Knights. Kendal was born in Azilla, a tributary of Ecclesia. He defends the Holy Ground against the Dark Legion. As an Azillan, he must maintain strict faith in God. He has reservations about his assignment defending the Holy Ground, but does not object because of his honor. He is a skilled tactician.
- Main Weapon: Warhammer and mace
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Walden: A leader of a troop of a well trained spearmen who hate him.
- Main Weapon: Sword and shield
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Rupert: A close ally of Gerald, Rupert has been through countless ups and downs since they joined the army together. His huge body and enormous power enable him to wield the 50-pound hammer while assisting Gerald. He puts on a rough exterior, but his sarcasm and frequent jokes with Ellen mask the affection he really feels for her.
- Main Weapon: Two-Handed War Hammer
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Ellen: About two years ago, Ellen appeared from nowhere to join Gerald's army. It might seem odd to find such a beautiful woman among the rough and crude soldiers of Hironeiden. But, be warned that pretty face holds a quick and foul tongue.
- Main Weapon: Rapier and Bow
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Sir Duane: A knight from the honorable but disgraced House of Colonock of Ecclessia. Seeking to restore family honor as the last great quest he can fulfill, Duane fights for gold, glory and god. He gives many a sense that he has sold out for gold as a mercenary in the Holy Knights, but with age comes wisdom, and Duane has much of it if one stops to listen. Duane is also the second cousin (one of his parents' cousin's sons is Patriarch Dimitri of Ecclessia), making Duane some distant relation to the current ruler.
- Main Weapon: Double Morning Stars
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Thomas: Thomas is the son of Captain Walter, a friend of Kendal. At Walter's request, Kendal has taken Thomas as a squire in the upcoming campaign. Thomas is young but has attained a quick mastery of magic. It appears as though Thomas tries to please his demanding father, but receives none of the deserving praise.
- Main Weapon: Small Mace and Small Shield
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Walter: Captain of the Ecclesian Emissaries and close friend of Kendal, Walter has been ordered by the Ecclesian Patriarch to seek out the Holy Ground and recover the Ancient Heart in God's name. Without realizing the true intentions of the Patriarch, Walter mobilizes his elite force to carry out the order, which in turn drives the entire Bersian continent into a tragic war that will determine the fate of all living things.
- Main Weapon: Iron Mace, Shield
- Main Skill: Mêlée
Dark Legion
- Lucretia: A leader in the Vellond army. Prone to violent hysterics as befitting of Dark Elves. Although approaching middle age, she still retains some of the fiery enthusiasm of her youth. Like all Dark Elves, Lucretia holds the moon in great reverence, and should be considered one of the many political conservatives in Vellond.
- Main Weapon: Double Scimitars
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Cirith: An officer under Lucretia. Self-centered and pretty, Cirith takes a somewhat air-headed pride in her heritage as a Dark Elf. She plays the part of Lucretia's butt-kissing lackey, but her true intention is to spy on Rithrin.
- Main Weapon: One Handed Sword
- Main Skill: Mêlée, Magic
- Rithrin: A Dark-Elf who commanded the archers of Raven Meadow before it fell to Hironeden and lost to Gerald in combat. He was chased far south towards Arein where his troop was rescued by Lucretia's troops. He is eventually killed by Walter and his troops.
- Main Weapon: One-Handed Sword
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Morene Strident: A cold hearted beauty who is despised by Lucretia for her overwhelming good looks and her heritage as a half-Vampire, Morene works as a supervisor just like Leinhart. Morene's lovely face hides a cruel and unfeeling heart. She sheds not tears over the pain or death of others, especially those who suffer at her hands.
- Main Weapon: Two Bone Blades
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Regnier: The Lord of Hexter sided with Lord Valdemar in uniting Vellond two years ago. Since then, Regnier has served Valdemar with an amused tolerance unbefitting of a vassal. His command of the various green skins and other unwanted humanoids are impressive, and those races hold Regnier in a state of awe, fear, and respect.
- Main Weapon: Greatsword
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Leinhart: Sent by Vellond to watch over Regnier, Leinhart was mesmerized by Regnier's power and charisma and now works covertly as his right arm. Although supervisors typically get reassigned to new areas every year, Leinhart remains in place because of King Valdemar's trust in Regnier.
- Main Weapon:One Handed Scimitar
- Main Skill: Mêlée
- Urukubarr: Simple-minded Urukubarr the Ogre was once Chief of Gorzanik, the most powerful of all Orc-Ogre tribes. He now defends the land of Hexter. Recognizing Regnier's overwhelming power, Urukubarr pledged his allegiance to Regnier on the condition that Regnier rule Hexter. Urukubarr will serve Regnier with absolute loyalty-even unto death.
- Main Weapon: Bare Hands
- Main Skill: Mêlée
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Kingdom Under Fire: A War of Heroes |
Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders 2004 |
Succeeded by Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes |
