Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Adventure, Strategy, Tactical
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS
- Developers: Chip
- Publishers: Brøderbund Software, GO!
Joan of Arc (1989): A Classic Strategy Game
Joan of Arc is a turn-based strategy game released in 1989 by Broderbund. The game is set in the Hundred Years’ War, and players take on the role of Charles, the young Dauphin of France. After his father’s death, Charles must reclaim the French throne and drive the English invaders out of France.
To do this, Charles must first raise an army and then lead it into battle against the English. The game features a variety of different unit types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Players must carefully consider the composition of their army and the terrain they are fighting on in order to achieve victory.
In addition to military strategy, players must also manage their kingdom’s finances and diplomacy. They must raise taxes, build new structures, and forge alliances with other countries. The game features a complex economic and political system that adds depth and realism to the gameplay.
Joan of Arc was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best strategy games ever made. The game’s innovative gameplay, historical setting, and beautiful graphics made it a standout title in its day.
Gameplay
Joan of Arc is a turn-based strategy game in which players control the French army in their fight against the English. The game is played on a hex-based map of France, and players can move their units around the map to capture cities, attack enemy units, and defend their own territory.
Each unit in the game has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Infantry units are strong in close combat, but they are weak against cavalry. Cavalry units are fast and mobile, but they are weak against archers. Archers are effective against both infantry and cavalry, but they are vulnerable to melee attacks.
Players must carefully consider the composition of their army and the terrain they are fighting on in order to achieve victory. For example, if the player is fighting in a heavily forested area, they may want to include more infantry units in their army. If the player is fighting in a more open area, they may want to include more cavalry units.
In addition to military strategy, players must also manage their kingdom’s finances and diplomacy. They must raise taxes, build new structures, and forge alliances with other countries. The game features a complex economic and political system that adds depth and realism to the gameplay.
Setting
Joan of Arc is set in the Hundred Years’ War, which was a series of conflicts fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453. The war began when Edward III of England claimed the French throne, and it lasted for over a century.
The game follows the story of Charles VII, the Dauphin of France. After his father’s death, Charles must reclaim the French throne and drive the English invaders out of France. He is aided in this task by Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl who claims to have been sent by God to lead the French to victory.
Graphics
Joan of Arc features beautiful graphics for its time. The game’s maps are detailed and colorful, and the unit sprites are well-animated. The game also features a number of cutscenes that help to tell the story of the Hundred Years’ War.
Reception
Joan of Arc was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, historical setting, and beautiful graphics. It was also a commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide.
Joan of Arc is still considered one of the best strategy games ever made. The game’s innovative gameplay, historical setting, and beautiful graphics made it a standout title in its day. If you are a fan of strategy games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Joan of Arc.
Legacy
Joan of Arc has had a lasting impact on the strategy game genre. The game’s innovative gameplay and historical setting have inspired many other games, and it is still considered one of the best strategy games ever made.
Joan of Arc has also been ported to a number of different platforms, including the PC, Mac, Amiga, and Super Nintendo. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs, including Broderbund’s The Strategic Collection and Ubisoft’s The History Channel: Great Battles Medieval.
Joan of Arc is a classic strategy game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative gameplay, historical setting, and beautiful graphics make it a must-play for any fan of the strategy genre.
Review Score
8/10
