Band of Crusaders seems like a recreation I’m going to have to present a second likelihood to–the preview construct would not function any of the story components, and I actually solely get pleasure from technique RPGs that function long-form, intriguing tales that make the handfuls, if not lots of, of hours I spend enjoying them value it. In order fascinating because it was to play a recreation largely divorced from any of the narrative context and story–something I’ve by no means actually executed before–the expertise greater than something strengthened how vital these features of a recreation are. When a recreation is usually simply gameplay, it is not all that fascinating for me.
Set in an alternate historical past of medieval England, Band of Crusaders sees you tackle the function of Grandmaster of a freshly constructed order of knights that do battle in opposition to demons. Set in an open sandbox, you have to ship your knights the place you assume they’re wanted most, doing all of your finest to stem the tide in opposition to the demons whereas concurrently trying to find a approach to cease the invasion. Every alternative can have long-reaching penalties for the continuing story, as can the end result of every struggle, whether or not you win or lose. As one other degree of complexity, there are opposing human forces as nicely. The in-game world takes in all of this and modifications over time, altering particular person battlegrounds relying on whether or not it is day or night time, which season it’s, or how a lot the demons have influenced an space.
That sounds actually cool, however what I performed didn’t embody the overarching story quests, the world simulation that may advance to replicate the implications of my actions and alter battlefields, a lot of the camp mechanics (I may solely heal or restore armor), and, as a press launch put it, “different vital options.” I make clear all of this as a result of my evaluation will make it sound like I’m in opposition to this recreation and assume you must skip it when in fact I simply did not get an opportunity to expertise what seems like a substantial amount of Band of Crusaders and the components of the sport that can probably make me a fan are all of features I did not get to see.
Band of Crusaders performs an entire lot like its contemporaries, tasking you with main models of troopers into real-time tactical engagements. The members of every unit could be upgraded and specialised, providing you with an opportunity to rework every soldier you recruit. I all the time like having a crossbow sharpshooter or two within the squad, however you will additionally want a steadiness of swords, shields, and spears to keep away from the entire unit getting overwhelmed. Even the best-laid plans can disintegrate, after all, so you will commonly lose knights to permadeath, encouraging you to recruit and prepare extra.
The preview made it look like this would not be too arduous, which lessens the affect of shedding a knight. If a knight died, I may discover somebody fairly succesful at a close-by citadel or maintain, recruit him for a couple of gold items, after which prepare him up and unlock a couple of upgrades after a battle or two. I’m not an enormous fan of how simple it’s to seek out new recruits, pay for them to hitch your military, after which prepare them. I don’t need the sport to be irritating, however loss of life by no means seems like a setback–this inspired me to not care about my models and sacrifice them recklessly, a sentiment strengthened by their repetitive battle cries that make all of them sound like the identical individual. Presumably, shedding a unit a lot later within the recreation could be a harder loss to swallow, but when encounters occur to scale along with your degree, then I think about later missions dole out sufficient expertise to pump up new recruits as much as your increased ranges sooner.
With no story to make me care in regards to the world or characterization for the models to assist me care about them, Band of Crusaders feels bland and boring. Why ought to I care about these lands and these folks? Do I struggle solely to beat? The preview construct has no reply. Simply extra fights in opposition to the identical sorts of enemies, most of whom appear to be human. The place are the demons I was promised? I assume, like all the things else lacking, they’re all ready for me within the full launch. Here is hoping, as a result of if this preview construct is an correct illustration of the complete launch, Band of Crusaders is not shaping as much as be a really fascinating or entertaining recreation.
Band of Crusaders is ready to launch for PC. A launch window has but to be introduced.