Konung 3: Ties of the Dynasty
- April 3, 2014
- Fulqrum Publishing
In 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.
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 a trainer skill allows companions to earn a portion of XP, improving the party dynamics compared to earlier installments.
- The game features a variety of quests and a revamped character creation system, providing players with opportunities for problem-solving and exploration.
- Graphics are outdated and clunky, making navigation and combat frustrating, with many players experiencing issues with character movement and camera controls.
- The storyline is minimal and often confusing, with a lack of clear instructions on quest objectives, leading to a laborious gameplay experience.
- Town management has become tedious, with the added frustration of needing to repopulate villages after attacks, complicating the overall gameplay.
- story30 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story is set long after Konung 2, focusing on the quest to retrieve a magical sword that will determine the next ruler. While the narrative features some engaging and humorous side quests, it suffers from a lack of clarity and coherence, making it feel thin and convoluted at times. Players must navigate a maze of tasks and NPC interactions without clear markers, which can be both challenging and rewarding for those who enjoy a more exploratory RPG experience.
“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.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, while improved with a distinct Russian influence, are generally considered outdated and mediocre, especially for an isometric RPG. Many players find the visuals lacking compared to modern standards, which can detract from the overall experience, though some appreciate the charm and immersion the game offers despite its graphical shortcomings. Overall, those willing to overlook the dated graphics may still find enjoyment in the game's quests and story.
“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.”
“The graphics are mediocre for an isometric RPG, but the quests, story, and nostalgia for the Konung series make up for it.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Konung 3 is characterized by engaging mechanics and challenging encounters that provide a satisfying experience for players who enjoy mastering game systems. However, it suffers from clunky mechanics, unclear quest instructions, and some technical limitations, which may detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, 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.”
“If you agree to overlook these drawbacks, Konung III provides a good ARPG experience with a good atmosphere and at least 16+ hours of gameplay.”
“There are still silly mistranslations in Russian, clunky game mechanics, and no clear instructions on 'how to proceed next' for quests, which may leave you confused. The game also has no widescreen support even in 2020.”
“Add the fact that core mechanics come with a very cheap and nasty aftertaste and you'll get the idea.”
“Yes, there are some mechanical problems and the game may seem a bit clunky, but the atmosphere is amazing.”
- grinding8 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 has improved, it can 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 generally discouraged by users.
“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.”
- atmosphere4 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.
“Yes, there are some mechanical problems and the game may seem a bit clunky, but the atmosphere is amazing.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its poor design choices, which lead to excessive running and camera manipulation for trivial tasks, making the experience feel tedious. Additionally, the advertised portal system is deemed impractical, as it requires navigating through numerous stages, detracting from the overall enjoyment and value of the game.
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % 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 fantastic, enhancing the overall experience and immersion.”
“The soundtrack is diverse and perfectly complements the gameplay, making every moment memorable.”
“The audio design, especially the music, elevates the atmosphere and keeps you engaged throughout.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the graphics and content are decent, the music feels uninspired and forgettable.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”