User reviews

This is another under the radar gem, after "Final Fight" Capcom just got their feet wet in the beat em up genre which was one of the biggest genres of gaming in the 90's much as the slasher film genre was in the 80's; so, they wanted to swim deeper into the genre.

One of things I always like about Capcom's line up of beat em ups is that each of them are always something a little different, so that they don't repeat themselves. I like that they took on the King Arthur legend and made it into a video game, which is something I don't see often but also made sense as "Golden Axe" came out near the same time as "Final Fight" so Capcom wanted to take a swing into the fantasy aspect in the beat em up genre which is also something I don't see often.

I also can't help but feel that this game could of easily of been an arcade adaptation of the 80's film "Excalibur" or cartoon show "King Arthur and the Knights of Justice" which came out years after this game, this game is the closest we'll come for an arcade adaptation for both.

Not a whole lot to this, like with the King Arthur legend, Arthur and his fellow knights must simply defend and save their kingdom for an evil empire. That's all there is to plot, which is fitting as both the King Arthur legend's plotline or even beat em ups were never known for deep plotlines, nor are they really needed anyway. Like with any beat em up you just go from point A to B while beating/hacking and slashing everyone that come your way. That's it in a nutshell but it's really in its presentation and execution that makes the game stand out.

The graphical presentation is solid, really like the back grounds that really bring out the Medieval period, even the character designs are solid by Capcom arcade standards. I like the fact this game takes place in Medieval times as most beat em ups it's always the urban streets, the Medieval period is one of the best settings for a beat em up as things in that setting and era were even rougher. I even like the designs of some of the bosses, as some of them look like they could be extra villains for the cartoon show "King Arthur and the Knights of Justice", like one of them is super-sized whom is armed with this giant hammer with spikes, another is a samurai with a giant kitana and some powers.

Music is solid there are plenty of tracks that are good listens and memorable, from the first and third level tracks. The music fits as it just sings medieval action and adventure. I even like the sound in the game, really like hearing the clanging of swords and armor which is just music to my ears.

And the gameplay is also solid, control is responsive as it's the typical button mashing scheme of move, jump and attack. Each of the characters you play have their strengths and weaknesses, depending on who you feel comfortable playing or just feel like trying out. They each have a good/decent combo system which a move or two like with Arthur it's a power slash. They also have the emergency only weapon, where you press both the jump and attack button at the same time and then suddenly a magical circular explosive barrier shoots around you and knocks everyone on the screen off.

However, this emergency function isn't without a price to pay, when you use it part of your life bar drains. So, using this isn't without a degree of risk because also when your life bar is dangerously low the function is useless, which is why you should use this function for emergencies only.

One of the things that make this beat em up unique is that it has a leveling up system. As you progress though the game, sometimes you come upon a magic septor within the level which makes you character power up or after you complete the level.

You gain a more powerful sword which means stronger attacks but also armor which means a stronger defense. Really like the designs of the swords and armor in each power up there cool, the armor reminds me a little of the kind from the film "Excalibur" as it's all shiny and gleaming.

If you're a fan of the beat em up genre, this vintage brawler is worth a swing.

Rating: 3 stars.

Building upon the foundation of 80's classics like Double Dragon, Knights of the Round adds a few 'next level' items. Literally, there is a 'next level' for your character as you can level up through the game's progression to increase your character's traits. Graphically too, characters look beefed up in armor. Given the setting, enemies are provided with a look that fits the theme, boss fights are fun. There's a beginning, middle (map cut-scenes), and end to the story which really helps the player feel a sense of accomplishment.

A few refinements would've helped: controls (including mounted combat), innovation, and better music. Controls aren't as slick as many equivalent and predecessor games. Potential was here to include more than your usually hack and slash, something to make it more unique. There's nothing wrong with the music necessarily, just a bit generic and doesn't fit the theme.

Another Golden Axe clone from Capcom, this time with a Medieval England twist as you play as either King Arthur, Lancelot, or Perceval and slash your way through eight or so repetitive levels to get the Holy Grail or whatever. This one is moderately notable for it's level-up feature in which your character becomes more powerful with each score goal reached. Other than that, the moves are very limited, the environments cannot be used to your advantage, and the enemies can be quite annoying. One of the faults of the genre is enemies hiding off-screen where you cannot reach them, which I suppose is done to sneakily save on memory and slow-down.

I finished this game just ten minutes ago and I am struggling to remember one thing about the levels, they were just so generic.