However, if you have multiple sectors of land under your power you can wager one of them for an enemy’s, the resulting winner will then claim ownership to the opposing forces territory, giving you that much more control over the country.Įxecuting a siege is perhaps the coolest aspect of the game as it allows you to knock down your enemy’s castle piece by piece using a catapult.
If you only have dominion over one piece of land you’ll compete for fame, and if you continually win, you’ll raise your leadership rank, thus giving you the ability to better manage your army in battle scenarios. Building a large army to keep watch over the castle is a must in order to save yourself from defeat.ĭuring the course of a game each player will take turns, and occasionally you’ll be asked to compete in jousting tournaments. But defense plays just as vital a role in the quest for dominance as offense since you’ll need to be prepared for enemy takeover attempts and bandits who are out to pilfer your gold. As the months progress in the game you’ll be allotted a certain amount currency and with this cash you can purchase soldiers, knights, and catapults in order to take over enemy territories and claim them as your own. There are four factions in all, including your own, that will be competing to claim Kingship over England and it is only with intelligent thought-out actions that you’ll be able to declare victory. The gameplay in these scenarios are basic but precise, action-packed, and entertaining. But Cinemaware hit the ground running with this idea and included a few mini-games that allow you to do such things as initiate a siege on the opponent’s base using catapults and good old-fashion man-power, compete in jousting events, and even perform midnight raids on the opposition in order to increase your gold supply. The pacing can be a little irregular and unfavorably awkward at times, but this is unlike any other game in the GBA library and the pros far outweigh the cons.ĭotC is, at its foundation, a Risk-esque board game where micromanaging your army is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, not a lot has changed from the decade and a half old titles, save for better visuals and the inclusion of everybody’s favorite thief: Robin Hood.
A time when heroes are born and history is made. Defender of the Crown chronicles a time when Britain was thrown into chaos, where great men vie for fame and power in a war-torn country. Nearly 15 years later Cinemaware breathes new life into the franchise and now GBA owners across the globe can get a taste of this multifaceted strategic title in all its glory.
Old-school gamers may recognize Defender of the Crown from the mid-80’s PC game of the same name and the eventual NES port from the late 80’s.