As a seasoned gamer, I can confidently say that Throne of Darkness by Click Entertainment has been an intriguing addition to my gaming library. The game initially seemed overwhelming with its management of multiple warriors, but it didn’t take long before I got the hang of it.
For quite some time, Diablo 2 held an uncontested throne as the ultimate action role-playing game, even prompting Path of Exile to undergo numerous improvements to earn comparable recognition. However, throughout its reign, there were numerous attempts to unseat this Blizzard masterpiece. Among the most notable challengers from the early days were Sacred and Throne of Darkness, which is intriguing because Climax Studios, the team behind it, was composed of former employees from Blizzard North.
Before the launch of Diablo 2, they emptied out the renowned company with the aim of developing a game that stood out in the hack’n’slash genre. It should be acknowledged that in certain aspects they produced some remarkably intriguing outcomes.
Diablo in Japanese
Despite a striking similarity to Diablo in terms of visual style and perspective, Throne of Darkness uniquely positions its action within feudal Japan, where nobles vied for power and dominance. The narrative, while straightforward as a blunt instrument, follows an evil Daimyo’s transformation into a demonic figure, bringing about a perpetual darkness by eclipsing the sun and unleashing hordes of the undead upon the land. Our castle is under siege, and we must assemble a team of seven samurai, reminiscent of Kurosawa’s film, to embark on a journey aimed at rescuing the surrounding territories.
In the game, there’s enough storyline to prevent the combat from feeling isolated, but I believe it could have been expanded upon further given its straightforward nature. Despite all NPCs, including our samurai, having voiceovers, they don’t seem as captivating or engaging as their counterparts in Diablo and Diablo 2 did. The charm and charisma of those characters created a palpable sense of danger and made us more invested in the events we were part of or cleaning up afterwards. In this game, you won’t experience the same level of intensity that some action RPG players crave. It’s unlikely that Throne of Darkness will become a popular quote like its predecessors might have been.
Nonetheless, the game makes up for it with atmosphere. Some people complain that this darkness can be too monotonous, but if you like the first or third act of Diablo 2, you will feel at home here. The audiovisual presentation also holds up after years, if we appreciate isometric games. Even the pixels don’t sting the eyes too much. While the animations aren’t as fluid and fleshy as those in Diablo 2, the combat is responsive and punchy enough to be satisfying. I would even say that it provides a bit more fun than the much more technologically advanced and generally larger Sacred.
Seven Samurai
In contrast to Diablo and numerous other hack’n’slash games, what sets our game apart is that we command a team in battle. We have the option to choose from seven characters, with four actively participating in combat at any given time. Our roster includes a leader, berserker, fencer, mage, ninja, archer, and the tank-like “brick.” The strategic choice of our strike force allows us to swiftly defeat enemy hoards, providing a sense of accomplishment derived from smart planning. Moreover, when we establish effective AI behavior for the remaining team members, it adds an element of control while still allowing us to focus on a single warrior.
The main advantage and challenge in “Throne of Darkness” is that it offers a full team of equally capable heroes instead of just an extra mercenary as in “Diablo”. This expansion provides more strategic possibilities. However, during combat, some excitement from hacking is sacrificed because, with the right equipment, skills, formation, and tactics, our remaining three samurai can handle things effectively on their own. At times, we may not even have a chance to reach the target.
Occasionally, the screen becomes so cluttered with action during battle that it’s hard to decide what to interact with. This is especially true when managing four characters instead of one, and the intensity of combat doesn’t make things any easier. Admittedly, at the start, enemies can easily overpower your party, forcing you to retreat for survival and try again later. In contrast, Dungeon Siege, more recently developed, seems to handle party combat much more efficiently. Although it’s possible to play alone, Throne of Darkness isn’t well-suited for that, and you might find yourself on the receiving end of a crushing defeat.
Admittedly, at first, juggling the statistics, abilities, and gear of four (or seven) warriors might seem daunting, but we soon adapt. This is because the game emphasizes efficiency and agility in its economic mechanics. We can easily revive fallen warriors, craft items, or call upon priest services from the Daimyo menu at any given moment. Additionally, we can return to the palace for an automatic team heal, which also proves beneficial.
This significantly alters the gameplay experience, offering a highly practical solution that could also be effective in numerous other action RPGs. With just a few clicks, your inventory becomes neatly organized, similar to a backpack in games like Diablo. Notably, this is more beneficial now since crafting has replaced traditional weapon trading. The value we acquire by discarding unwanted items matches the worth of the equipment we can obtain from the blacksmith.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the multitude of crafting combinations available for enhancing equipment in this captivating game. From large and small gems, each offering unique ways to amplify our weapons (with larger gems boasting varying numbers of slots), we are presented with a tantalizing array of choices.
Typically, personalizing your characters is one of the most delightful aspects that the game Throne of Darkness offers. What makes it intriguing is that characters earn experience based on the damage they cause to their opponents, not just for being part of the battle. This ensures that no player can easily exploit the system by having an experienced character stand idly away from the action and deal damage indirectly using logs or similar objects – everyone must actively engage in combat and take risks.
Is seven already a crowd?
It’s unclear if enhancing Throne of Darkness from Click Entertainment by allowing one or even three warriors to be controlled might dilute some of its inherent uniqueness. Additionally, the team responsible for gameplay balance could find themselves in a challenging position, particularly if they were to create a system where the difficulty level adjusts according to the size of the active party.
In the game Throne of Darkness, there were engaging multiplayer modes as well. It was more like a “king-of-the-hill” style game. Each player (up to four) could select one of the clans, which primarily affected appearance. The objective was to overthrow the evil Daimyo from the initial campaign swiftly. The one who succeeded would then control the undead versions of our samurai. The remaining players would then attempt to defeat this new master. This gameplay style is lengthy and differs from a standard co-op experience like Diablo 2, but it offers an exciting twist.
It’s clear that the game Throne of Darkness offered some intriguing concepts, challenging the standard action RPG hack-and-slash structure. Unfortunately, not every innovation contributed positively to the gameplay and they didn’t always blend seamlessly. Despite these shortcomings, it still stands as a notable example from that era.
How to play Throne of Darkness today?
Today, you can acquire the game for an affordable price on GOG at just $6.22, and it’s compatible with Windows 10 PCs like mine. If you’re seeking a game similar to Diablo but with a unique twist, then Throne of Darkness could be an excellent choice for you, albeit requiring some patience.
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2024-10-14 14:02