Strategy ... my final frontier. Actually, scratch that. Sports games would be one of the absolute final genres that I would play. But back to strategy games. They completely infatuate me at times, and yet I am completely frustrated by them. There is this thick wall between us as I have a hard time getting into some games. The way the various games want me to play and the way I want to play are completely different. For example, there is the infamous Civilizations III. As easy as it is to get into and play, it has an unshakable difficulty as the computer can and will bash your kingdom into two as quickly as possible. And now there is a new strategy game that shakes my foundation — Kingdom Elemental.
The plot of Kingdom Elemental is elemental at best. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun!) There is some type of evil rising up, and you have to lead your rag-tag band of generic heroes to victory. (“I remember the days when evil was evil and didn’t have unspoken issues!”) And this is where the fun begins: It admits it is a game. It acts like all other developers hire actual knights and wizards for its story to keep their economy rolling. How else is a wizard going to afford his ivory unicorn rocking chair? i>Kingdom Elemental is hilarious in the way it presents its plot. Yes, the plot doesn’t exist, but the commentary about everything fantasy is fun to hear. It’s a shame that you don’t actually see the insides of the recording studio because the mishaps would have been even funnier. It’s a shame that those segments are so few.
Gameplay is traditional strategy. You recruit your units for each round of battle, and each character class has three different skills to use to their advantage. You point, click, maybe pause the game, make a decision and restore the action. In other words, it is an intuitive system and one you can easily get into. Fighters are good for distractions, clerics heal well and archers attack from a distance. Necromancers, monks, bards, mages, paladins and even pirates join the mix and bring their own specific skills to the table. The only way to pull them into your party and their skills is to use points. Points are gained by completing a round. Oh, and did I mention that each round of battle has “waves?” Yes, some rounds have multiple waves, and it can become difficult to hold your own. In a way, this is a strategic battle royal.
i>Kingdom Elemental is a tough game. There are no resources to gather, no peasants to boss around for cannon fodder purposes, no exploration to hunt down relics and no guild halls to recruit more soldiers to fight for your cause. What you decide to bring into battle may or may not be the right choice and may make life more difficult. However, if you do experience a defeat, the game will refund any spent points. This way, you can try again using a different tactic. And I experienced defeat frequently. The first area on normal is easy. It’s challenging but not so difficult that one cannot beat it. However, all bets are off in the subsequent levels. A top-notch and dynamic strategy is required at all times. No wonder I’m having trouble with this game! It is not intended for people who like to dabble in strategy. It is for those who can think clearly at all times.
Graphically, i>Kingdom Elemental is cartoony and a bit blocky. But do not think that some monsters do not look imposing or powerful. Ever been annihilated by a skeletal centaur or a goblin riding a worg? Or even a zombie? It’s not pretty. Characters move rather smoothly around the screen. Areas of damage/healing are cleanly laid out when the mouse is over the skill. When units are highlighted, you can see a red line going back to the enemy. Ultimately though, it is easy on the eyes, but to get enough detail of the action, one must zoom in. Backgrounds are standard cannon fare and, thankfully, do not distract from the action.
Sound in i>Kingdom Elemental is rather solid. I don’t remember hearing any swordplay or arrows swirling through the air. Music tends to fall to the background. It’s not bad; it just complements what is going on. What really caught my attention was the voice acting. It may not be the best in the world, but it doesn’t have to be. It satirizes every single role-playing convention. The necromancer creepily says “We can be friends when you are dead!” whenever you tell him to create a skeleton. The archer constantly whines about you ogling her and begs for armor (her explanation why she dies so quickly). And of course, there’s the supercilious cleric who constantly says “no mere mortal can command me!” and “My love for the Lord keeps me warm!”
In conclusion, Kingdom Elemental is a tough game to recommend. On the one hand, it has an accessible retro vibe that radiates from its core. Gameplay is quick and rewarding. Fantasy fans will probably have a field day with this game due to its satirical nature. And strategists will probably accept its challenges with a smile. However, the game is tough as nails. You always have to be aware and anticipate your opponents’ responses. Ultimately, $10 is a great price for an intriguing game. If you have any doubts, feel free to check out the game’s demo. I may not play i>Kingdom Elemental as often as I should, but one of these days, I’m going to conquer this kingdom! You can take that to bank.
