Warfare is gory, violent, and needless. All wars lead to unnecessary loss and bloodshed and I think we can all agree that medieval battles were horrific. Being sent out onto muddy fields to be bludgeoned to death is not my idea of fun. Chivalry 2 runs with the hostile theme and creates a spectacularly gory fighting experience.
Developed by Torn Banner Studios and published by TripWire Interactive, this is a brutal first-person hack ‘n slash multiplayer fighter. You are a grunt who faces waves of human or NPC foes. You choose your best weapon, understand your objective, and plan to work together to be victorious.
Chivalry 2 is a balanced experience.
First-person fighting games used to be my go-to genre. I loved working with my friends to win every match. As I’ve aged, my reactions have slowed and I struggle to keep up with my youthful counterparts. Luckily for me, Chivalry 2 is easygoing for the older generation. With an array of attack methods and defensive techniques this is more brain than brawn.
With a lot to learn, but a gentle learning curve, Chivalry 2 is the most user-friendly fighting game I’ve experienced. Jumping into the massive sixty-four player battles was only a few clicks away. You’ll be wielding your halberd, axe, sword, or bow in no time. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be competing with the big boys. No, finesse and mastering each move is a must if you wish to be competing with the best. With a high skill ceiling for each weapon, there is plenty to work towards.
A small number of maps, but an array of objectives.
With a limited amount of maps at the time of this review, you’d be concerned that this would become tiresome. It doesn’t and players have invested hours of their life into reaching the top. You choose between the two factions, the Mason’s or the Agatha. You select whether to play free for all or join thirty-one teammates in a sixty-four player battle. It’s absolute madness with gamers firing arrows and bolts at you from a distance. Knights flailing their morning stars, and shields deflecting your blows. Limbs become decapitated and heads implode! It’s gory, stomach-churning, but so, so moreish.
Though the map selection is small, the ones that are presented are brilliantly designed. With sprawling open sections that give advantages to bowmen, to claustrophobic alleyways that allow for close-quarter combat. Each battlefield has a sandbox experience with random objects available to use. Grab a chicken, rocks, or food, and turn them into a weapon. A flaming torch will heat things up and slow them down. It was brilliant and added variety to the weapon-wielding ways.
Each battle comprises many objectives; whether you are scaling a castle wall with enormous siege towers, or protecting a high valued target, it adds to the drama of any match. The dynamic and fast-paced qualities keep you alert while jostling for power during every battle. No matter which side you are on, you have enough tasks to keep you focused until the finale.
Chivalry 2 has enough classes to interest everyone.
With four classes to choose from; Archer, Vanguard, Footman, and Knight, and three subdivisions for each, there is plenty to choose from. The developers have done well to offer enough variety to please every play style. Hide at the back and lace the battlefield with arrows, or smash your opponents with a mighty axe or broadsword. The choice is yours.
Like many first-person fighting games, there is a levelling system and an array of customs options. No warrior needs to look the same and Chivalry 2 allows you to dress to impress. Gold is your currency of choice and victory is the way to earn it. Smash some heads, get rich, and look great while doing it.
Chivalry 2 is eye-catching.
I knew Chivalry 2 was going to be gory, but I admit I was taken back by the amount of blood. Claret sprays everywhere and decapitated bodies lay motionless on the dirt. It’s amazing to look at and has a sense of cinematic theatrics to it. The lands where the battles commence are varied with high detail. I loved the many walking routes and entry points that enable different tactics to be deployed. Each level is brilliantly constructed, and it balances the gameplay perfectly.
The audio was equally good except for the tutorial. The gruff narrator who offers tutelage is obnoxious and annoying. His voice grinds you down and you’ll pray he stops talking. Other than this minor annoyance, the rest of the audio is excellent. You’ll enjoy dramatic music, crunching sound effects, and blood-curdling war cries. The high-energy approach demands you take action and no matter how composed you are, you’ll be desperate to jump into battle.
You’ll be swinging your sword or firing a bow in no time.
With its brilliantly thorough tutorial (except the narrator), you’ll be in the thick of the action in no time. The fundamentals allow you to throw yourself into the arena with some hope of being successful. With responsive controls and a clever layout, it’s a dream to play. I loved the dynamic movement of each swing and the variety of blows available. Dodging is as important as attacking and a tactically minded player will enjoy the challenges and advantages this offers. It is the most accessible fighting game I’ve played in a long time and it offers a lot for veteran gamers.
Once you smash one skull, you’ll be hooked. This gory and violent fighting title inspires you to keep going. You can run riot and team up with three friends or strangers. You can also choose to go it alone and play offline against NPCs or online if you so wish. Learning the finer points will keep you busy as will the large achievement list. I’m sure further maps will be added to increase longevity and reward its loyal player base.
Chivalry 2 gets it just right.
Having played many first-person fighting games I know the balance between old and new gamers can be unfairly skewed. Chivalry 2 has this sorted with its quick to learn mechanics. I loved it for its fair approach and I think this is its most appealing quality. No matter your style, there is a class for you and each game mode offers a rounded experience for each warrior. It is brilliant and I recommend you to buy it here! Take your training, choose your class, and lead your army to victory.
