From thrusting attacks to desperate parries, canny side-steps to collapsing death throes, you really do get the impression of desperate men straining under the weight of layers of chain and plate. Things are helped considerably by the superb animations, painstakingly motion-captured by a team of medieval combat specialists. Range of special attacks to flesh out the learning curve, and a first-person arrow-firing system that presents a challenge all of its own. These will include defensive abilities such as rejuvenation and invincibility, and a smattering of fire and brimstone on the offensive side. For My Next TrickĪs well as cold steel, KOTT will feature a magic system of sorts in the form of divine powers, so Paul won't be at too much of a disadvantage when confronted by the undying minions of Beelzebub. Instead, yourĮnemies have their own self-preservation in mind, and they block, dodge and wait for the moment to unleash a riposte when your guard slips.
So, while there are only two attack buttons, there are a host of combos for each class of weapon (such as sword, mace and axe), and defeating your foes isn't as simple as incessantly hammering your gamepad buttons. Which is lucky, as KOTT doesn't have any. As such, you'll probably be quite happy just eviscerating a stream of blade-wielding foes, ignoring such complexities as RPG levelling-up and tricky platforming. And while the interface still needs some work, it works its guts out to create a melee style of true savagery and intensity. But in a slight diversion from history, instead of slaying unwitting Saracens or pillaging Constantinople, Paul is bent on preventing an evil bishop opening the gates of hell.Īs with any hack 'n' slash game, KOTT will live and die on the quality of its combat system. Hailing from Swedish developer Starbreeze (recently responsible for so-so fantasy sword-swinger Enclave), the game follows lead character Paul de Raque on his personal crusade against evil. Knights Of The Temple: Infernal Crusade is hoping to fill that void, and from what we've played, it has a decent stab at success. Which is a shame for us PC gamers, as we haven't enjoyed a truly outstanding dose of crunching sword-on-bone action since 2001 's Severance: Blade Of Darkness. And no genre can offer the simplistic yet satisfying kick the good old hack 'n' slash does - especially when the action is served up with buckets of blood and viscera.
In these days of complex strategies, in-depth RPGs and intricate simulations, it's important we find the time for some less cerebrally demanding gaming.