Games like KingdomConquest are always fun; the mixing of genres either works and critics like myself use words such as ‘ambitious’ and ‘groundbreaking’, or it’s a spectacular train wreck that is entertaining the same way that reality television is.
But before getting to where the game sits on this spectrum, there’s a lot to tell you about. The game from SEGA is – unlike the company’s other releases – unique to iOS devices and free to download, though there are in-app purchases that can make things much easier.
The game begins as a real-time strategy game, similar to something like FarmVille. Users build up their base with quarries, fields, lumber mills and ironworks, and then build warehouses to store all the goods that come from them.
The point of all this? Well, all these resources help you build training towers, research labs and barracks in hopes of building an unstoppable army.
Even this very first part of the game is incredibly immersive, and fortunately there’s an advisor to walk you through how to do everything and what it all means.
Your fighters are shown as trading cards, very reminiscent of something you’d see from Magic the Gathering. You also group them together into units, choosing a leader and hoping their skills mesh together.
Aside from all of this, KingdomConquest also boasts an action mode straight out of your favorite hack ‘n’ slash game. You choose one of three character types for this mode (Barbarian, Swordsman, or Cleric), and the highlight is that you can join three other allies (via W-iFi) and earn items and money to help build your empire.
So there’s a lot going on here; this is a real-time strategy game, a multiplayer online game, a card-trading game and an action slasher all in one. Fortunately, it all somehow fits together and makes sense, never feeling like SEGA threw in an element just to say it’s there.
If there’s a caveat here, it’s that the game requires a Wi-Fi, 3G or Edge connection. The app was remarkably stable during the hours I spent playing it, though it will be interesting to see how the servers respond when there are many more people playing.
The graphics are very ho-hum, though. If that kind of thing is important, then KingdomConquest is the wrong game for you. There’s also a lot of fantasy stuff going on such as Lizardmen and Minotaurs, and while these things may turn off casual gamers, the actual game behind all of this is well worth it.
The market will decide whether this is the aforementioned ambitious iOS hit or complete and total train wreck, though I will honestly be shocked if KingdomConquest doesn’t take off and develop a strong following. It’s just too interesting and too bold of an idea not to.
