Software:Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game

Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders
Cover art used in the Western world
Developer(s)Phantagram
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Xbox, Microsoft Windows
ReleaseXbox
  • NA: October 12, 2004
  • EU: October 29, 2004
Windows
February 28, 2020
Genre(s)Hack and slash, Real-time tactics
Mode(s)Single-player

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 Software: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 prequel is Software:Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes. Another sequel was released in late 2019 entitled Kingdom Under Fire II for Windows.

A Windows port was released for Steam in February 2020, and resurrected by the co-developer of the original Xbox version, Blueside.[1] A DRM-free version was released on GOG.com in early April 2020.[2] The modern Windows release came with several enhancements including full controller support, plus an all-new mouse & keyboard mode (Though, a gamepad is recommended); modern resolutions and widescreen view.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders contains elements from the Dynasty Warriors games and aspects of Real-time strategy and 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 combat with an enemy unit, the gameplay is similar to Dynasty Warriors.

Any unit in close-quarters combat cannot be used for anything else until the combat is resolved; an exception to this is when two units are in close-quarter combat with the enemy: one unit can retreat while the other keeps the enemy unit occupied.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(Xbox) 81/100[3]
(PC) 60/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge7/10[5]
EGM7.83/10[6][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu29/40[7]
Game Informer7.75/10[8]
GameSpot8.5/10[9]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[10]
GameZone8.5/10[11]
IGN8.2/10[12]
OXM (US)8.4/10[13]
X-PlayStarStarStar[14]
Detroit Free PressStarStarStar[15]
The Digital Fix(PC) 5/10[16]

The Xbox version received "favorable" reviews, while the PC version received "mixed" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3][4] In Japan, where the former console version was ported and published by Jaleco on January 27, 2005, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[7]

The Xbox version was nominated for the "Most Surprisingly Good Game" and "Best Strategy Game" awards at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2004 Awards, both of which went to The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and Software:Rome: Total War, respectively.[17][18]

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the Xbox version, one critic gave it 7.5/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 8/10.

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Fraser (February 28, 2020). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders is finally on PC". PC Gamer (Future plc). Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230410122353/https://www.pcgamer.com/kingdom-under-fire-the-crusaders-is-finally-on-pc-16-years-late/. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  2. ↑ "Release: Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders". CD Projekt. April 2, 2020. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220819181025/https://www.gog.com/news/release_kingdom_under_fire_the_crusaders. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders critic reviews (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203135250/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/kingdom-under-fire-the-crusaders. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders critic reviews (PC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230213141145/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/kingdom-under-fire-the-crusaders. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (November 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders (Xbox)". Edge (Future plc) (142): 109. 
  6. ↑ Linn, Demian; Gifford, Kevin; Ford, Greg (November 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (184): 150. https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c7/EGM_US_184.pdf. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "キングダム アンダーファイア 〜ザ・クルセイダーズ〜 (Xbox)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191207160939/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=10722&redirect=no. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  8. ↑ Juba, Joe (November 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders (Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (139): 163. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-139-november-2004/page/162/mode/2up. Retrieved March 22, 2025. 
  9. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 15, 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders Review (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 19, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050119045949/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/strategy/kingdomunderfire2tc/review.html. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  10. ↑ Maragos, Rich (October 26, 2004). "GameSpy: Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070609150809/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/kingdom-under-fire-the-crusaders/560571p1.html. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  11. ↑ Hopper, Steven (October 20, 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders – XB – Review". Archived from the original on February 24, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080224013810/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20125.htm. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  12. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (October 12, 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211227134809/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/12/kingdom-under-fire-the-crusaders. Retrieved June 12, 2023. 
  13. ↑ "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 84. December 2004. 
  14. ↑ Leeper, Justin (November 23, 2004). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders Review". G4techTV. Archived from the original on November 24, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041124164527/http://www.g4techtv.com/xplay/features/50411/Kingdom_Under_Fire_The_Crusaders_Review.html. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  15. ↑ Schaefer, Jim (November 14, 2004). "BATTLE ROYAL: Smart war sim 'Kingdom Under Fire' puts your leadership to the test in a series of medieval melees". Detroit Free Press (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on November 14, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041114161945/http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game14e_20041114.htm. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  16. ↑ Goad, Dan (March 25, 2020). "Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders Review (PC)". Poisonous Monkey. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200610073124/https://www.thedigitalfix.com/gaming/review/kingdom-under-fire-the-crusaders/. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  17. ↑ GameSpot staff (2005). "Best and Worst of 2004 (Most Surprisingly Good Game)". CNET. Archived from the original on April 5, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050405214049/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/day2f_3.html. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 
  18. ↑ GameSpot staff (2005). "Best and Worst of 2004 (Best Strategy Game)". CNET. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050308115734/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/day4f_23.html. Retrieved December 18, 2023. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



Template:KUF N3 Korean high fantasy video games



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Kingdom_Under_Fire:_The_Crusaders&oldid=4139760"