Strategy mixing AoE and Total War. In Warrior Kings, we built our own state, planning revenge on our oppressor

At the dawn of a new century, real-time strategies shone brightly as their golden age. Alongside blockbuster hits like Age of Empires and Total War, there were also lesser-known but equally impressive (or nearly so) games. Warrior Kings falls into this category. Although Black Cactus studio didn’t completely shake up the genre, it did have its dedicated followers who fondly recall it even today. Let’s delve into why that is.

Almost like medieval Europe

In a fascinating twist, Warrior Kings whisked us away to the imaginary realm called Orbis. At its heart lay the Holy Empire, an empire ruled by a divine being named The One God. When the latest patriarch ascended the throne, he quickly imposed rigorous rule, not only targeting his adversaries but also common lords who dared disagree with him, branding them as heretics and traitors.

Sadly, the emperor targeted Artos’s father – a man named Artos. Following an invasion by imperial troops that razed Cravant’s capital and took the life of its ruler, Artos was left with no other option but to escape to Angland. Once there, he found himself starting over, constructing his own state amidst his quest for vengeance against his sworn adversary.

From the very first look, it’s evident that the creators of “Warrior Kings” drew significant inspiration from medieval Europe. The realm of Angland strongly echoes the atmosphere of old England, while the Holy Empire appears to be a fusion of the Holy Roman Empire and the Papal State.

As a devoted fan, I found the narrative captivating from thereon, as Artos embarked on his quest for vengeance and had the freedom to determine his own approach. Along the campaign’s journey, the developers granted us the power to shape our nation’s destiny by choosing one of three distinct paths. We could embrace paganism, uphold imperial ideals, or abandon belief in supernatural entities, embracing the essence of the Renaissance. This choice not only influenced the storyline but also expanded our available options. However, let us delve deeper into that aspect shortly.

Economy is the strength of every power

To start off, let’s refresh our memories about how gameplay in Warrior Kings unfolded. The core of the game revolved around a narrative campaign made up of multiple missions. In each mission, we were tasked with completing primary objectives that moved the story forward, as well as optional side quests. Although these side quests caught our attention, we weren’t obligated to complete them (though the incentives could be enticing).

In developing The Black Cactus, our team opted not to create something entirely new for Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games that were popular during that period. Initially, we concentrated on establishing the economic foundation of the game. This involved assigning characters to work in fields and mines, expanding our main base, and exchanging excess resources through trade.

The complication arose because our farms and natural resource deposits were often spread out over a vast expanse, seldom allowing us to establish a densely populated base. Additionally, the goods harvested or extracted had to be transported to storage facilities, which added to the difficulty of defending our territories against hostile forces.

Sword aimed at the bloody emperor

In essence, we progress to the core aspect of gameplay within Warrior Kings: constructing an army and engaging in battles. Beyond infantry and cavalry, we had a variety of unique units available, the specific options depending on our chosen path. For instance, as pagans, we could unleash demons and witches onto the battlefield. On the other hand, if we chose the imperial route, we could call upon armored troops and robust fortifications. During the Renaissance period, we would instill fear in enemy lines with our use of cannons, trebuchets, onagers, and even rocket launchers.

This situation does not signify an end, for we have opportunities to encounter extraordinary entities along the paths of paganism and the empire. These include the fearsome demon Abaddon and a celestial figure akin to a “holy” counterpart to the pagan giant. Summoning either at critical junctures could alter the course of a conflict entirely.

In these battles, both the quantity and power of our troops mattered greatly, but picking the right strategies was equally significant. This aspect wasn’t just about arranging formations or exploiting the strengths of particular unit types (such as not pitting cavalry against pikemen), it also demanded careful consideration of the terrain features.

In the game titled “Warrior Kings”, the graphics were three-dimensional and the battlefield’s terrain impacted the performance and actions of the units. For example, troops would move slower when climbing hills compared to their speed while descending. Moreover, archers stationed on higher ground had a broader shooting range than those positioned lower. Although it didn’t offer the same level of strategic complexity as the “Total War” series, the combat options presented by Black Cactus were still engaging, especially for those accustomed to more streamlined gameplay systems.

Not everything is shiny

In the storyline of Warrior Kings, there was a multiplayer option that allowed players to engage in battles across large and diverse battlefields.

It’s unfortunate that Warrior Kings, despite its appeal, wasn’t perfect. The AI often disregarded our commands, leading to some instances where we had to guide our soldiers more closely to ensure they followed our instructions. However, the game’s auto-responses for defending and fleeing were functioning well, as was the units’ pathfinding, which worked flawlessly.

What happened next?

Previously, the Warrior Kings were not widely acknowledged. Approximately a year afterward, Black Cactus introduced the follow-up titled Warrior Kings: Battles. This game featured a fresh campaign and army units, enhanced AI, and an extended command system.

Originally planned as a strategy game titled “Crusaders: Battle for Outremer,” set in the era of the Crusades, the team’s next project eventually got cancelled, leaving no trace of the studio that was working on it within the gaming industry.

How to play Warrior Kings today?

The game titled “Warrior Kings” is accessible on GOG.com for $5.99 and on Steam for $8.99. If you’re interested in the physical version, it’s available for only a dollar. The prices for the complete, boxed editions of this game start from $4.00.

2025-02-27 00:35