Settlers: Heritage of Kings

Format PC

Developer Blue Byte

Publisher Ubisoft

Genre Sim / Strategy

How times change. Three years ago when Heritage Of Kings' predecessor Settlers IV scuttled into our offices, it was all about complexity, micromanagement and the kind of cutesy graphics that Germans find adorable, but most Brits find nauseating. Well, forget all that, because the fifth instalment in this community building RTS series has taken a major leap away from its predecessors' ethics and opted instead for a far more conventional RTS approach.

Looking Good
Right, let's start with the graphics, which are unrecognisable from previous Settlers games. Good start then. Unless you're called Schultz, in which case you're probably crying salty tears right now. Pull yourself together man.

Powered by Criterion's impressive RenderWare technology, a freeform, fully zoomable camera allows you to get up close and personal with your 3D units, revealing a far more serious and lifelike level of detail.

While we were taking the game for a spin, we were impressed to note an excellent new weather system, which saw a nearby lake freeze over in the winter, allowing our enemies to cross over and attack our village. Ambient flora and fauna, static building animations and some impressive fire effects that spread and crackled like a pyromaniac's wet dream, also greatly added to the game's new sense of realism.

Fear not though, Settlers fans, you haven't been completely forgotten, because community building and exploration are still integral parts of the game. Communities will be interdependent, which, thanks to my GCSE Economics teacher Mr Walsh - you were right sir, GCSE Economics wasn't a complete waste of time - means that everyone is dependent on everyone else's skills. You'll have to carefully plan which units to build to help your community prosper and conquer the game's 20 levels and seven enemy kingdoms. With over 70 unit types available - each with their own set of unique skills - and the ability to barter goods, there'll still be a fair amount of micromanagement too, but not nearly so much that newbies should feel scared off.

Spoiling For A Fight
Combat is also receiving a major overhaul, as it was more of an afterthought than a major gameplay element in the Settlers series. Heritage Of Kings is introducing more units and tactical subtleties than all of the previous games combined - cavalry units make their debut, and you'll now be able to train every soldier into a rabid killing machine. An RPG system will allow you to furbish veteran troops with new abilities and weapons, and you'll even be able to research new battlefield technology.

Going by what we've played, Settlers: Heritage Of Kings could well be the first Settlers game to break into the mainstream and truly succeed here in the UK. Its more traditional RTS approach might draw many newcomers to its banner, but conversely, could also put off die-hard fans. For now though, it's looking like being a lot of fun, and after the heavy going of previous Settlers games, we'll happily settle for that.

PC Zone Staff