After finishing with the continuing remodeling at the new house, i decided to take a break and install this demo of KOEI's new game Bladestorm.
Now if you've every played any of KOEI's games they're all about the same type of game play. You either hated it or loved it. To me I loved KOEI's games, especially Dynasty Warrior. I've played each version from 1 through 5. Even thought the story and gameplay is about the same i just loved it. They put you in a third person view and have yourun around on a battlefield hacking and slashing your way through capture points and enemy generals.
Bladestorm takes that game mechanic and switches it up a bit. Its much more strategic in its gameplay.
Bladestorm is set in the Joan of Arc era of the world. Making everything medieval which is always satisfying. Even the game dialogue is made so that you think you are in medieval times. The game starts out with you in a bar where most of your planning and equipping takes place. You get to choose your character's sex and look (which are pretty limited). Your profession is basically a mercenary commander that is freelancing for which ever side you want to work for. Select a contract and fulfill it's requirements to get the monies.
The battle system. Its set in a battfield just like dynasty warrior, but instead of just your main character running around hacking and slashing and working solo, the games gives you the ability to lead squads of soldiers. There are three different types of squads you can command: 1) Sword 2) Archer 3) Calvary. In each of these categories, are different types of swords, ranged weapons, and mounted weapons. Each type of weapons has three different special attacks you can use in battle.
Selecting a squad to use is simple, just walk up to a group of soldiers you want to command and press X. To fight you march your squad of soldiers into the enemy and just hold down R1, its like watching a fight scene of braveheart. The special attacks of your squad are assigned to the Square, Circle, and Triangle buttons.
Swordmen:
Many different types here, but the simple gist of it is that they all use some sort of sharp pointy edge to kill ppl. Some have shields, some just swing around a giant blade. Simply charge into the battle field and hold down R1 and use your specials when needed.
Archers:
Long bows, crossbows, short bows, etc. You can't use the usual holding down R1 and have them attack. Your limited to the special skills. One skill will allow you a overview of the battlefield and you can fire into a certain direction (carpeting that area with arrows one volly at a time). The second is a first person view where you can aim your vollies at a certain location or group. The third is a buff of accuracy, power, or piercing.
Calvary: Mounted swordmen, jousts, etc. You command a squad of horsemen with weapons of varried uses. With the calvary one of the special skills requires you to build up momentum. This allows you to use a charge attack that deals massive damage to footmen (I <3>
Personally i like to go through each squad during a battle, use the archers first, then the calvary, then just get down and dirty with the footmen.
Strategy is key here. The ai will march their squads up into battle and your job is to assist them. Like using the calvary to coral other squads into place or just circle the battle dealing damage. Without working with your AI allies, you will die.
The goal of each job is to take over a fort, kill a enemy commander, and kill off the other side. Now this might sound boring but this is where you either hate or love koei's games. The battlefield experience is why i love it.
After each kill you gain some experience which goes towards yours personal kills and abilities. Monies are paid after the contract have been fulfilled. You can use those monies to hire specialized squads or buy your self new armor/weapons/skills.
Depending on how much you used a certain type of soldier (calvary, footmen, archers) you gain skill points you can put into each of those types as well. I used the calvary alot so I had an abundent amount of points to use that went into increasing calvary damage, amount of skill points gained, and defense.
You also gain renown for what you do on the battefield. Lets say you take 3 squads of soldiers and take on a fort with 10 squad you get more renown than say you outnumber your enemy.
The demo takes you on two missions which really wets your appetite.
Its a good RPG that has alot of strategy elements involved which makes it better than the usual KOEI dyansty warrior type game. I would seriously think about getting this game.
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