Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, MSX, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Dro Soft
- Publishers: Dro Soft, Mastertronic
El Cid: A Historical Strategy Classic
Released in 1987, El Cid is a turn-based strategy game that puts players in command of the legendary Spanish knight El Cid during the Reconquista, the period of Spanish history in which Christian kingdoms gradually reconquered the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule.
The game is played on a map of Spain, divided into provinces. Each province has a number of attributes, including population, resources, and defenses. Players must manage their resources carefully in order to build armies, construct buildings, and research new technologies.
Armies can be used to attack enemy provinces or defend your own. Combat is resolved through a simple dice-rolling system. The outcome of battle depends on a number of factors, including the size and quality of the armies involved, the terrain, and the weather.
In addition to military conquest, players can also win by achieving certain economic or diplomatic goals. For example, players can win by converting all of the provinces in Spain to Christianity, or by building a powerful trade empire.
El Cid is a challenging and rewarding strategy game that offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and gameplay depth. The game’s pixel art graphics are charming and evocative, and the soundtrack is appropriately epic.
Gameplay
El Cid is a turn-based strategy game in which players control El Cid and his army as they attempt to reconquer Spain from the Moors. The game is played on a map of Spain, which is divided into provinces. Each province has a number of attributes, including population, resources, and defenses.
Players must manage their resources carefully in order to build armies, construct buildings, and research new technologies. Armies can be used to attack enemy provinces or defend your own. Combat is resolved through a simple dice-rolling system. The outcome of battle depends on a number of factors, including the size and quality of the armies involved, the terrain, and the weather.
In addition to military conquest, players can also win by achieving certain economic or diplomatic goals. For example, players can win by converting all of the provinces in Spain to Christianity, or by building a powerful trade empire.
El Cid features a number of different unit types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Infantry units are good for defense and can hold their ground in battle. Cavalry units are faster and can deal more damage, but they are also more vulnerable to attack. Archers can attack from a distance, but they are weak in close combat.
Players can also construct a variety of buildings in each province. These buildings can provide a number of benefits, such as increasing production, providing defensive bonuses, or generating new units.
El Cid also features a number of different technologies that players can research. These technologies can provide a variety of benefits, such as increasing the size of armies, improving combat abilities, or reducing the cost of buildings.
Historical Accuracy
El Cid is based on the historical figure of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a Castilian knight who fought against the Moors during the Reconquista. The game’s story follows El Cid’s career from his early days as a young knight to his eventual rise to become a legendary hero.
The game’s developers took great care to ensure that the game was historically accurate. The map of Spain is based on the actual geography of the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista. The game’s units and buildings are also based on historical research.
El Cid is not only a fun and challenging strategy game, but it is also a valuable educational tool. The game can teach players about the history of Spain and the Reconquista.
Legacy
El Cid was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its historical accuracy, gameplay depth, and charming graphics. El Cid has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game among strategy fans today.
El Cid has also been cited as an influence on a number of other strategy games, including Civilization and Age of Empires. The game’s unique blend of historical accuracy and gameplay depth has made it a classic of the genre.
Conclusion
El Cid is a timeless strategy classic that offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and gameplay depth. The game’s pixel art graphics are charming and evocative, and the soundtrack is appropriately epic. Whether you’re a fan of history, strategy games, or both, El Cid is a game that you should definitely check out.
Review Score
8/10
