If you’re familiar with my articles, you’ll know I’m not one for online gaming or the culture that comes with it. What I mean by that is that my favourite past time, a hobby I’ve had from a very young age has suddenly become serious in the eyes of the world’s children and it’s really really annoying. Gaming is silly, it’s fun and it’s an escape from the real world for a bit, so why are online gamers so serious and offensive when I’m crap? I couldn’t care any less, all you’re doing is shooting forward and hoping those bullets hit someone, as much as you don’t want to believe it there is no skill involved what so ever in online gaming. Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is the multiplayer game I’ve been looking for, it just features a bunch of guys and girls swinging swords around simply hoping to hit something, and you know what, it’s so much bloody fun!
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is a first person action multiplayer-focused title by Torn Banner Studios that take players back in time to a simpler land of mead, swords and catapults. Releasing originally in 2012 on PC, Chivalry finally makes its leap to PS4 and Xbox One with improved visuals and new ideas in an attempt to make players put down their guns and to pick up a broadsword instead. Following the traditional traits of a multiplayer game, Chivalry’s game modes come to no surprise to the seasoned gamer as you battle your way through team death-matches, capture the flag contests and horde, which sees you defeat waves of heavily armed skeletons until you die, now where have I seen that before? It’s not original in content, however gone are guns, grenades and perks of your familiar online titles and instead are swords, bows, axes, shields and lances, which certainly prove to be more challenging than what you’re currently using to defeat your enemy. Players have the choice to be one of 4 classes who each have their own set of pros and cons on the battlefield, and it’s up to you to decide how you’ll defeat your opponents. Archers, though poorly armoured are deadly at ranged combat, Knights have the most impenetrable armour however they are viciously slow on the battlefield, Vanguards have the furthest reach with their pole arms and spears however they can’t carry shields and finally the most nimble of class the Man-at-Arms, which posses the most speed on the field however they inflict pretty average damage. In regards to what’s currently on offer, Chivalry: Medieval Warfare certainly offers something different, but how is its execution? It definitely takes a much slower pace than a typical FPS, but charging into battle and taking someone’s head off is just so dam satisfying.
No matter what game mode you select, the premises of each battle is simple, charge forward and slice off someone’s limb without losing one of your own. Before tackling the multiplayer there is an option to undergo some training which will take you through each of the 4 classes as well as a crash course in basic and advanced fighting techniques/controls. Presented in a sort of single player spin off, the game’s training is actually rather fun and expertly guides you through each weapon and attack, so I cannot recommend enough completing this before jumping in. Pitting up to 32 players against each other on a great variance of available maps makes Chivalry tremendous fun, especially when you just try your luck and hope you hit something, there’s really no need to undergo hours of grinding to get the most out this game, just pick the Vanguard and charge in with everything you have. The battles themselves are slow paced as you would expect, but spotting an enemy combatant in the distance, delivering a war cry and continuing to run at him full pelt in hopes of stabbing him in the larynx is exhilarating, as too is running that scenario only to be stabbed by someone you didn’t even see; the game as a whole is hugely entertaining and hilarious from start to finish. Whether it’s an intimate arena you choose to do battle in or a huge castle you’ve chosen to protect, each battle and game mode is great fun and ultimately daft, which online gaming should be.
Each map in the game is a wonderful throw back to the medieval world we’ve come to love from concept art and cinema, and each locale you fight in is hugely different to one another, even if they are basic in design. The word ‘basic’ is the best way to describe almost everything within this game, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but the game does have a dated look and sound to it. Visually the game is an improvement from 2012, but by no means what we’d expect to see in 2015, in particular every character seems to have their mouths sown shut during dialogue and your warrior’s arm looks remarkably like that of a pencil. In Chivalry’s defence, you’re not playing this game for its awe-inspiring visuals or sound production, you’re playing it because it’s different and sounds like fun, which it is, but better graphics would have arguably made it a lot better and more value for money.
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is a highly addictive multiplayer title that is tremendous fun whether it’s the first time you’ve died or the 27th time you’ve died. It may be a very basic and bare in presentation with its mediocre visuals and physics, however its solid and well executed content makes it a hugely enjoyable competitive title. It won’t be stealing players away from the typical online multiplayer games we’ve come to expect, however it will offer an alternative to those bored of what’s available and looking for something different. It’s a terrific idea that’s been done in the most chaotic, stupid and unpredictable way, but that’s what makes it so much fun! TO ARMS MEN, THOU ENEMY HAS CALLED THY SPOUSE A SLUT!
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
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