Summary
- Release Year: 2001
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: PlayStation 2
- Developers: FromSoftware
- Publishers: Agetec, FromSoftware, Metro 3D
King’s Field: The Ancient City: A Haunting and Atmospheric First-Person RPG
Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, King’s Field: The Ancient City is a medieval-themed first-person role-playing game developed by From Software. It is the fourth installment in the King’s Field series and the last one released for home consoles. The game is known for its dark and eerie atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and unique blend of action and RPG elements.
Story
King’s Field: The Ancient City takes place in the kingdom of Verdite, which has been ravaged by a cataclysmic event known as the “Great Cataclysm.” The player takes on the role of a nameless adventurer who awakens in a dungeon with no memory of their past. As they explore the dungeon, they encounter a mysterious woman named Hilda, who tells them that they are the only one who can save Verdite from a terrible evil.
Gameplay
King’s Field: The Ancient City is a first-person dungeon crawler with a strong emphasis on exploration and combat. The player explores a variety of dark and dangerous dungeons, battling monsters, solving puzzles, and collecting items. The game features a unique real-time combat system that requires the player to carefully time their attacks and dodges.
Atmosphere
One of the most striking things about King’s Field: The Ancient City is its dark and eerie atmosphere. The game’s dungeons are filled with oppressive darkness, and the player is constantly on edge, never knowing what horrors might be lurking around the next corner. The game’s sound design is also top-notch, with ambient noises and sound effects that create a truly immersive experience.
Difficulty
King’s Field: The Ancient City is known for its challenging gameplay. The game’s dungeons are filled with difficult enemies, and the player must be careful to manage their resources and avoid getting overwhelmed. The game also features a permadeath system, which means that if the player dies, they will lose all of their progress and have to start over from the beginning.
Legacy
King’s Field: The Ancient City was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best dungeon crawlers ever made. The game’s unique blend of action and RPG elements, as well as its dark and eerie atmosphere, have influenced a number of other games, including the Souls series, also developed by From Software.
Conclusion
King’s Field: The Ancient City is a classic first-person RPG that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The game’s dark and eerie atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and blend of action and RPG elements make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Here are some additional details about the game:
- The game was developed by From Software, a Japanese video game development company known for their challenging and atmospheric games, such as the Souls series and Bloodborne.
- King’s Field: The Ancient City was released in Japan in 2001 and in North America and Europe in 2002.
- The game was praised for its graphics, sound design, and gameplay, but it was also criticized for its difficulty.
- King’s Field: The Ancient City is considered to be one of the best dungeon crawlers ever made, and it has influenced a number of other games, including the Souls series.
If you are a fan of first-person RPGs, or if you are looking for a game with a dark and eerie atmosphere, then I highly recommend checking out King’s Field: The Ancient City.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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