Konung 3: Ties of the Dynasty
- April 3, 2014
- Fulqrum Publishing
Get on SteamIn Konung 3: Ties of the Dynasty, players navigate a vast world filled with Nordic mythology, facing strategic battles and making decisions that affect the story's outcome. This RPG focuses on character development, with three playable heroes, each having unique abilities, items, and storylines. Players can explore diverse landscapes, complete quests, and interact with various NPCs to uncover the mysteries of the powerful artifacts and the fate of the empire.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the Konung series, with engaging mechanics and a charming atmosphere influenced by Slavic and Viking mythology.
- The introduction of magic and a revamped character creation system adds depth to gameplay, allowing for diverse party strategies and skills.
- Fast travel portals and improved town management features enhance the overall gameplay experience, making exploration and resource management more engaging.
- The graphics are outdated and feel subpar even for its release time, detracting from the overall visual experience.
- Clunky movement and camera controls lead to frustrating navigation and combat, with characters often getting stuck or unresponsive.
- The minimal storyline and lack of clear quest markers can leave players feeling lost and confused, making progression tedious and unenjoyable.
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story is set after "Konung 2," focusing on the quest to retrieve a magical sword to determine the next ruler, but it suffers from a thin narrative and some typos. Players navigate a series of short, often humorous quests without clear guidance, requiring them to engage in side quests to progress. While the storyline has improved from the previous game, it still demands significant player effort to piece together the plot amidst a lack of quest markers.
“The last ruler has died, and the quest to retrieve a magical sword from the era of titans determines who becomes the next konung.”
“Great sequel that improves on just about everything from the previous game, even the story is a bit better than last time.”
“I find the quests and stories to be witty and in many cases comical, often earning a chuckle or laugh while I play along.”
“There are some typos and untranslated words, which further detract from the already thin storyline.”
“While there is a storyline to follow, attempting to decipher its intricacies feels like navigating a maze blindfolded.”
“Rather than following one long storyline, the character falls into many short stories during the progression of the long campaign to find the champion sword.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, with many reviewers noting their mediocrity, especially for an isometric RPG. However, some players appreciate the distinct Russian influence that adds charm and immersion to the experience, suggesting that while the visuals may not be modern, the overall gameplay and narrative compensate for it. Ultimately, the graphics may deter some players, but those willing to overlook them can find an engaging RPG experience.
“The graphics have indeed seen an improvement, with a distinct Russian influence that adds to the game's charm.”
“However, this influence doesn't just shape the aesthetics; it permeates every aspect of the game, plunging players headfirst into a bewildering, complex, and delightfully challenging world.”
“And it's a real shame because the graphics, music, amount of content, and especially immersion are good for this price range.”
“Despite being released in 2010, the graphics already feel outdated.”
“The janky combat, dated graphics, and frustrating systems make it hard to recommend, even to fans of the series.”
“I mean, don't get me wrong, the graphics are outdated.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Konung III is characterized by engaging mechanics and challenging encounters that provide a satisfying experience for players who enjoy mastering difficult tasks. However, it suffers from clunky mechanics, poor translations, and a lack of clear instructions, which can lead to confusion. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a solid ARPG experience with a captivating atmosphere and over 16 hours of gameplay.
“The mechanics are engaging, and the challenges are as relentless as they are satisfying to overcome.”
“For those who revel in the sheer fun of mastering mechanics and conquering insurmountable odds, Konung 3 delivers in spades.”
“Simple gameplay, simple fighting, but I love the control of villages and fighting in a band of warriors.”
“The core mechanics come with a very cheap and nasty aftertaste, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“There are still silly mistranslations in Russian, clunky game mechanics, and no clear instructions on how to proceed with quests, which may leave you confused. Additionally, the game has no widescreen support even in 2020.”
“Yes, there are some mechanical problems, and the game may seem a bit clunky, but the atmosphere is amazing.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while town management is more advanced, it can also feel tedious due to the slow pace of finding new characters. However, the relatively small area maps and the necessity of gaining experience from encounters help mitigate the grind, making it less burdensome in the context of the game's challenges. Overall, excessive and unfulfilling grinding is not recommended.
“Town management, while more advanced than before, is also more tedious.”
“You don’t always find new people on the roads, making the process slow and tedious.”
“I don't recommend games with unnecessarily laborious and unfulfilling grinding.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Despite some mechanical issues and a clunky feel, "Konung III" is praised for its captivating atmosphere, contributing to an engaging ARPG experience that offers over 16 hours of gameplay.
“If you agree to overlook these drawbacks, Konung III provides a good ARPG experience with a great atmosphere and at least 16+ hours of gameplay.”
“Yes, there are some mechanical problems and the game may seem a bit clunky, but the atmosphere is amazing.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the monetization aspect of the game is negatively impacted by poor design choices, such as excessive travel requirements and cumbersome mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. Players feel that the game prioritizes monetization over user-friendly gameplay, leading to frustration with trivial tasks and inefficient systems.
“The monetization system feels exploitative, with essential items locked behind paywalls that make progression frustratingly slow.”
“It's disappointing to see that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game advantages.”
“The reliance on microtransactions for basic features detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it feel more like a cash grab than a well-designed game.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, contributing positively to the overall experience and immersion, especially considering the game's price range.
“The music in this game is absolutely captivating and enhances the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, creating an immersive atmosphere.”
“The variety of music tracks keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging throughout.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the graphics are impressive, the music feels uninspired and forgettable.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
