Description:
Both the fantasy and the real-time strategy genres are so worn out that it is nearly impossible to think of a way to freshen things up, but that's exactly what developer Cyberlore Studios did with Majesty. More of a simulation game than anything else, Majesty lets you tinker with your own kingdom. Its main elements are in building a city and populating it with heroes recruited to expand and protect your kingdom's borders. You don't control characters and events in Majesty so much as you influence them. Players used to more conventional strategy games like Starcraft will be a little perplexed when they click on a hero, order him to move somewhere, and watch as their commands are ignored. Characters in Majesty have unique agendas and personalities and operate on their own in accordance with those characteristics. If you want the avaricious Greedheart Thistlebottom to slay that large green beast that's approaching the village, you'll have to put a price on the monster's head. When the job is finished you can watch the hero squander his reward on warm beer, cheap women, and newer weapons. The entire game plays out like a fantasy soap opera, with you as the director and your minions as the actors (with a lot of room for improvisation). The game's graphics and sound effects aren't too spectacular, but frankly they don't need to be. Majesty's unique and addictive gameplay overcomes any multimedia gripes we can level at it. Our bet is that fans of games like SimCity--as well as open-minded strategy aficionados--will agree. --T. Byrl Baker Pros: - Unique gameplay style
- Watching recruits become heroes and cowards is a treat
- Many missions and scenarios for hours of play
Cons: - Lack of direct control may not appeal to everyone
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