Kingmaker (video game)
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Kingmaker (1993 video game) |
Kingmaker (titled Kingmaker: The Quest for the Crown in the European market) is a turn-based strategy video game launched by Avalon Hill in 1993. Created by the American developer TM Games, it draws its inspiration from the Kingmaker tabletop game.
Gameplay
The game Kingmaker recreates the historical Wars of the Roses and faithfully emulates the visual style and mechanics of the original board game. Players can compete against as many as five AI-controlled factions. A notable enhancement is the introduction of a battle system where users directly manage their armies during combat, although this feature is straightforward and players may choose to resolve conflicts using the traditional method from the board game.
Reception
In July 1994, Terry Lee Coleman reviewed Kingmaker for Computer Gaming World, awarding it 3.5 out of 5 stars. He highlighted its "intelligent and diverse AI" and described the experience as "unexpectedly addictive," despite its absence of multiplayer options and lack of advanced graphics. Coleman regarded the title as a significant comeback for Avalon Hill in the realm of computer wargames.
James V. Trunzo, writing for White Wolf (#48, October 1994), gave the game a flawless 5 out of 5 rating, appreciating its support for older hardware while noting its substantial memory requirements as a drawback.
In 1994, PC Gamer US shortlisted Kingmaker for the "Best Historical Simulation" award, although it ultimately lost to Lords of the Realm.
By August 1996, sales figures for Kingmaker had surpassed 40,000 units, which was regarded as respectable within the computer wargame niche. Coleman pointed out that it outsold all other Avalon Hill computer releases since then but also remarked that the company's overall relaunch in computer gaming had not met expectations.
External links
- Review in PC Gamer (German)