Kohan II: Kings of War may not be getting the attention it deserves. As a RTS game that focuses on squad-based units, there exist many interesting features in the game that are sure to appeal to RTS fans. And more importantly the game is extremely enjoyable.
Story
It’s been two generations since the Great War ended, after Darius Javidan began the war against the Shadow, and the defeat of Ahriman and his Ceyah. The alliances formed during the end of the war are slowly falling apart.
The Council wishes to reforge these alliances, and the Ceyah are beginning to return to the land. Another war is approaching, as the Reagent of Istra leads a crusade to crush them.
It’s a very well established story, but a little sparse through some of the campaign’s missions. Overall, it’s very well done.
Graphics
The graphics in Kohan II are very pleasing to look at. The soldiers are very detailed an animate smoothly, and the terrain is very detailed as well, but not in a manner that’s distracting. Towns are very well done, looking lively, as are the construction animations when a building is being erected. Battles between large forces are fluid and not awkward in any form. Clipping errors are non-existent. The only problem is that many of the units look the same. It’d be very interesting if heroes looked somewhat different from the base units they are made after, as sometimes when in large groups, it’s hard to see where the heroes are.
Sound
The music in Kohan II is epic and actually very well orchestrated, but as great as it may sound, sometimes it doesn’t quite fit the general mood of what’s going on. Although, that’s not much of a problem, as the only time that particularly happens is during cinematic sequences. The sound effects are all top notch, they don’t sound over exaggerated or out of place during gameplay. Battles sound fierce, yet not to the point where it sounds like there are more units battling than portrayed on the screen. The voice acting is a bit mixed, as some characters will sound great and believable, and others not so professional. It’s really not that big of a deal until that same character says the same one-liner after issuing him or her commands.
Gameplay
There are six races in this game: Ceyah, Human, Shadow, Undead, Gauri, Haroun and Drauga. Each has their own strengths, weaknesses and unique look. There are also four factions: Council, Fallen, Royalist and Nationalist, which will give bonuses to your troops in addition to a special faction unit that’s exceptionally strong in one manner or another.
"It’s possible to get negative gold production, so manage your units and resources wisely."
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Now, in Kohan II rather than building a town from scratch anywhere, you need to find settlement points. These are usually guarded by monsters or bandits, and after cleared, can be settled by a pioneer unit in order to create a new village. Villages can be upgraded after all the building slots have been made. Now, most building produce one of five resources: Gold, stone, wood, iron, mana and supply, which is a bit different as it’s only used to increase your unit cap. Gold is a storable resource, while the others are not, meaning they don’t save up over time; you use them when you get them. If you create units that are going to push you over a resource limit you have, you’re going to have to compensate with gold. You will deduct a small amount from your gold production rate depending on the price of the resource. It’s possible to get negative gold production, so manage your units and resources wisely.
When a village is upgraded to a town, it is able to build more buildings, and it gains a wall that it can use for protection. The wall is very useful, as it provides a “meat shield” for your archers until enemies break through. There are two upgrades past the “town” form of a settlement for each race: next is a city, then a citadel. Each upgrade past village not only increases the gold, defense, health and militia the main structure has, but also the walls of the settlement and the range of resupply.
Resupplying units is critical to winning a game. When a unit that is missing soldiers or damaged is in a resupply area, they slowly gain troops and heal wounds. This is very useful, as units and heroes can both gain experience, and the most experienced units can be totally reinforced so long as a single soldier from the unit survives and makes it back to a resupply zone.
"While all these engrossing aspects are very appealing to the veteran RTS player, this may be a little hard to handle for someone just looking to kill fifteen minutes. "
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Soldiers come in units and are trained at villages/towns/cities/citadels, and heroes may be attached to them. Units are effected by upgrades researched at settlements, bonuses from experience levels, and faction bonuses. Experienced units will easily slaughter units that are of lesser experience, even when the weaker unit has better upgrades. Most units consist of one leader and four base units, but custom units are possible, where you assign two to the flank and two special assist units Soldiers are effected by moral, and when moral is low, they will run in a random direction, disobeying any further commands.
Terrain and combat formations come in to play heavily. First off, formations: Combat formation allows maximum combat efficiency, but 75% of their maximum movement speed. Column formation allows maximum speed, but half of the unit’s combat efficiency. Last, Skirmish allows 75% combat efficiency, full movement, and increased sight range. Terrain also effects some of these things, as forests and uneven ground will hinder movement, while giving defense to a particular attack type.
While all these engrossing aspects are very appealing to the veteran RTS player, this may be a little hard to handle for someone just looking to kill fifteen minutes. Battles are the most fun in this game when drawn out a little, and when multiple settlements are being struggled over. If you play Kohan II with the intention of only spending twenty minutes in a battle, you’re going to be slightly disappointed in a less-than-epic battle.
Overall
While there are a variety of RTS games out on the market, nothing is quite like Kohan II. It has a very refreshing style of play in the strategy genre, and is gem of a game should be considered by any RTS gamer, or anyone looking to try out something new and easily accustomed to.
