Buy Knights of Honor

A good wargame, but unplayable on last versions of Windows. The graphics are tight in strategic map and outdated in tactical battles, although include a clear cenital view. Mechanics is wonderfull, really deep, varied and complete on military, economic and diplomatic issues, and with a honest AI. Could be one of the better wargames ever made, but its real-time gameplay not allows take advantage of all fine aspects.

Later was adapted by designers of Total War series, who after made Total War Medieval, that introduced his turn-based system that really improved the gameplay concept, but eliminating the true cenital view, introducing a cheater AI, gambling for graphic spectacularity, downgrading the options of game mechanics, and invested a lot of recurses in marketing.

This historic title and its successful concepts were forgotten, too because the software not was upgraded for new OS, and progressively became unplayable for later Windows versions by compatibility problems. Download last patch ( by the way, not included in Steam version ) or change the OS compatible options not solve the problems. A pitty.

Only can be play perfectly with Windows Xp, and if not possible, only with patience against the unavoidable crushings to desktop. Unnoficial Mods and Community Patchs make tnings get better, but not solve all problems, by the moment. Recomend save a lot, play with compatibility with at least Windows Vista, uncheck all visual enhances and sound effects, and read a online manual. Obviously, to buy only with a huge discount or in bundles.

Be sure to make this v1.05 using a reg fix. Superb fun except for the "not you again" English voice work done by someone you've heard over and over and over -his dour, nasal, tone has literally been in every game since Pong.

A must-play-game, Classic !

Worst ♥♥♥♥ing intro.

Played as Teutonic Order. Sent spy to Byzantium. Educated spy to the max level. Spy became Byzantine Emperor. Ordered him to give me the crown. Got whole Byzantium for myself.

10/10

Would be the most hated ruler for doing that again.

Those silly Byzantines...
Those silly English...
Those silly French...

They said... Ireland would never take England... They were wrong.

They said... Ireland would never take Western Europe... They were wrong.

They said... Africa could not be tamed... They were Wrong...

I kept the tradition of conquest... Like my Father did... We took Europe, and made it our own...

Because... We need more land to grow potatoes! :D

Now who wants some?

The Pope called me to a crusade. I didn't want to let go of my best commander so I refused. He then declared war on me. I eventually wiped out the Papacy. I destroyed Catholisism.

BEST GAME EVER!

It doesn't seem we will ever see a sequel, which is a shame considering how advanced this game was for its time. Even by today's standards it is a very enjoyable grand-strategy title and features some of the best diplomacy in the genre. Sending a spy to infilitrate an opposing faction and watching him seize their lands for you, only to find out he has claimed the lands for himself and has usurped you, is just a taste of the possibilities the campaign gives you. Highly recommended and I would love to see features from this game introduced and evolved in future TW titles.

Honestly this game is a lot better than I initially thought.
What first was a 2 dollar steam sale purchase I thought i'd spend 1-2 hours with has now become one of my most beloved rts games so far. If you like the total war series or crusader kings and are looking for a fine mixture of managing and actually controlling armies and empires this is the right game for you.
Pros:
-It offers 3 (dark , middle and late medieval age) periods and a huge map (Extended map of europe) letting you play as almost all nations that were present at that time.
-New factions can emerge when certain provinces are captured (uniting england , ireland and such)
-It offers a interesting kingdom power system that encourages you to act with honor. Breaking agreements and treaties will result in a loss of reputation, leading to civil unrest.
-Royal families, their offspring and marriages can be managed as well as knights you can employ in different positions such as generals , spies , priests and merchants.
-Battles can be fought automatically or you can take direct control yourself
-Still has working multiplayer support due to direct connections via lan or tcp/ip
-Game can be quite difficult if you want it to be but the learning curve isnt so bad. It didnt take me long in order to do well and build a small empire.

Cons:
-The units are a bit hard to get into formation when directly leading your battles and it has some minor flaws. Its not bad but dont expect it to live up to total war battles.
-The steam version is not updated to patch 1.05 , its 1.03 instead so manual patching is required.
-Widescreens and windows 8 arent properly supported but there are some people that have been able to get it to work. I do recommend to check the forums on that.

Wow.

This game is awesome.

This game, now on sale for $2 because of the Paradox sale, is worth at least 100. I'm not kidding.

There are games made nowadays that are only half as good as this thing.

This has...political intrigue...diplomacy...trade...real city development...simple yet effective society running...FULL RTS BATTLES and GOOD autoresolve...

This is THE Medieval Strategy game.

I'm sorry Paradox, but Black Sea Studios really should have made at least 5 more of these.

I think I was supremely wrong when I thought isometric RTS's were dead.

This is better than:

Age of Empires 1/2/3
Stronghold 1/Crusader/2/3/Legends/Crusader 2
Crusader Kings II
Europa Universalis III/IV
Medieval Total War 1/2
etc.

I thought Dragon Commander was a great game, this...is utterly perfect.

A+++

100/10

Etc. Etc. Etc.

WHY HASN'T A SEQUEL BEEN MADE???

This is the Skyrim of Medieval RTS's.