The Settlers Online

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Build a medieval kingdom in The Settlers Online!

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Reviews

28%

Audience ScoreBased on 535 reviews

gameplay9 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

The game has a friendly and helpful community, making it enjoyable for new players.
It offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original Settlers series.
The game can be played for free, allowing players to enjoy it without spending money.

The game is plagued by bugs, particularly a level 7 quest bug that halts progression.
It has a pay-to-win model, requiring players to spend money to progress efficiently.
The gameplay is slow and repetitive, with long wait times for building and resource gathering.

story
55 mentions
5 % positive mentions
89 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its convoluted quest system, which often leads to players feeling stuck due to bugs and poorly defined mission requirements. While there are numerous quests and side missions available, many players find the lack of clear guidance and frequent glitches frustrating, making it difficult to progress. Overall, the narrative experience is overshadowed by technical issues and a lack of engaging storytelling.
- “The big appeal in this game is if you can handle the quest system; it is the main drive of the game.”
- “You're given a ton of quests to complete on top of a constantly growing economy.”
- “At first, I did not know how to play, then I looked at my quests and figured it out. I like how it is free.”
- “Knightshift has dialogue that is not subtitled, making the plot a little inconvenient to follow.”
- “The graphics are uninspiring, the quests are overly complex right from the start of the game, and Bluebyte removed one of the defining mechanics endemic to the franchise: flags.”
- “Yes, only low hours on record but this game is a disgrace seriously, when I get to a level I still can't do the quest I was meant to unlock on that level, yes after logging off and on I can finally do it but then having to do this every time I level up is so irritating seriously it may be free but not worth bothering with it is so glitchy and I don't see the point in wasting your time on this.”
gameplay
35 mentions
26 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is described as a mix of quirky and intricate mechanics, appealing to those who appreciate indie titles despite its low-budget graphics. While some players find the gameplay engaging and reminiscent of classic strategy games, others criticize it for being slow-paced, overly complex, and lacking in depth, with many expressing frustration over the reliance on waiting mechanics and pay-to-win elements. Overall, the experience varies significantly among players, with some enjoying the nostalgic elements while others feel let down by the execution.
- “For those who can tolerate the lower-end graphics and quirkiness of the game (I find it cute how the prince takes a nap, for example, as odd as it is), Knightshift will bring a good round of exploratory gameplay in an indie package that I'd recommend for a fun few hours of princedom.”
- “Although rough around the edges, the quirky gameplay and level-matched quests can catch you and lure you in for more from this game.”
- “In addition, gameplay is fun and in tradition with the original Settlers, which is a good thing in my book.”
- “This is an awful game, full of all the worst mechanics ever to develop in a computer game.”
- “Even when the gameplay is introduced, it apparently is nothing more than a 'send units and wait days' system rather than anything interesting.”
- “At level 15 (4 hours of gameplay with a large break for work in the middle so it had time to mine more stuff while I was out of the game) I still didn't see any combat, or any PvP, or anything more than building buildings (that would have taken 2-5 minutes in a real game of settlers) and trudging through their insane number of bugs you have to get through before you can do anything fun.”
graphics
19 mentions
47 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nice visuals and artistic design, while others criticize them as outdated or uninspiring, likening them to those of a low-quality browser game. Despite the varied opinions, many agree that the graphics contribute positively to the overall gameplay experience, though improvements could enhance immersion. Overall, the game's visual presentation is seen as a blend of charm and limitations, appealing to some while disappointing others.
- “Awesome graphics and gameplay.”
- “Game mechanics are solid and artworks are beautifully done.”
- “Nice graphics and runs stable.”
- “The graphics are uninspiring, the quests are overly complex right from the start of the game, and Bluebyte removed one of the defining mechanics endemic to the franchise: flags.”
- “This game looks and feels like a very bad browser game with unconvincing animation; roads that 'do not improve' (their wording, leaving out the subject of the sentence); mediocre graphics; unconvincing copy; etc.”
- “Graphics aren't really up to date and mechanics are sketchy.”
grinding
9 mentions
22 % positive mentions
-11 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often described as tedious and time-consuming, requiring players to engage in repetitive tasks to progress. While some players appreciate the community and the challenge of building their character and equipment, many express frustration with the necessity of grinding, especially without financial investment or a supportive clan. Overall, the experience is polarizing, appealing primarily to those who enjoy time-based activities and extensive farming.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Only play if you like time-based activities you need to wait for, and if you like meaningless grinding to build your empire.”
- “Not because it's super time-consuming, requires you to spend money so it's a tiny bit less time-consuming, and that it's ridiculously repetitive and makes you have to use multiple guides to do adventures because the game itself is so tedious, micromanaging, and detailed that the guide is absolutely necessary.”
stability
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and numerous bugs that hinder gameplay. Many users have spent significant time troubleshooting these issues, indicating a long-standing lack of effective fixes from the developers. While some players note improvements after a certain point in the game, the overall experience remains marred by instability and lag.
- “With 155 hours played, I'd guess 100 of those hours were spent troubleshooting crashes and bugs.”
- “This game is terrible, buggy, and a total butchering of the old Settlers I remember.”
- “Crashes often, freezes more often.”
music
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the great music featured during special events like Halloween, others find the overall soundtrack lacking and note the absence of music on the main screen, which can detract from the initial experience. Overall, the sound design is considered adequate but not exceptional.
- “But more about the game - it has good graphics, good sounds (not much but enough, great music on the Halloween event :D), a lot of content, a lot of buildings and stuff to make, you can trade with other players and make guilds, go on quests alone or with friends (which is awesome). I have spent a lot of hours in this game (not on Steam, but through a browser).”
- “The music really enhances the atmosphere of the game, making each event feel special and immersive.”
- “The soundtrack is catchy and fits perfectly with the game's theme, adding to the overall enjoyment.”
- “No music?”
- “Music is nothing special.”
- “The first thing you will be greeted with upon startup is a music-less main screen asking you to sign up for their service and sign a user agreement. If you sit on that screen for more than a minute, a background process that runs with the game will likely crash.”
monetization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized for its heavy reliance on ads that cannot be closed and for incorporating numerous in-game purchases, leading to perceptions of pay-to-win mechanics. Many users express frustration with the freemium model, labeling it as exploitative and detrimental to the overall experience.
- “This game has in-game purchases that enhance the overall experience.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel overly aggressive.”
- “Lots of ads that you can't close.”
- “P2W with massive microtransactions.”
- “It's just another freemium piece of garbage... the kind that spams your PC with ads.”
optimization
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous persistent bugs and inadequate support from the developers. Many players feel that the performance is poor, with server issues and a lack of effective solutions contributing to a frustrating experience. Overall, the optimization is considered one of the game's weakest aspects.
- “The optimization of the game is impressive, enhancing both performance and user interface.”
- “I love how the game runs smoothly, thanks to the excellent optimization.”
- “The attention to detail in optimization really elevates the overall gaming experience.”
- “The game optimization is the worst, with many issues that have persisted for years without resolution.”
- “There are a lot of bugs, and the developers don't seem to address them effectively; their support is lacking.”
- “The servers are terrible, and the blame for performance issues is often placed on the players.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing antics of the pirates and the repetitive yet comical task of rebuilding mines, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay.
- “The pirates are very funny.”
- “Rebuilding mines over and over again is very funny.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a lack of clarity or consensus regarding the game's replayability, with some users expressing uncertainty about its potential for repeated playthroughs.
- “Replayability: no idea”
atmosphere
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users praise Settlers 2 for its enduring and convincing atmosphere, highlighting its effectiveness even nearly two decades after its release.
- “Settlers 2 had a more convincing atmosphere, even now, 19 years after its creation.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional response to the game, feeling overwhelmed and trapped, likening their experience to being in a hostage situation. This intensity leads some to consider stepping away from the game entirely, highlighting its gripping and potentially unsettling impact.
- “This game made me feel like I was in a hostage situation; after playing for a short time, I found myself saying, 'Okay, I'm just going to put this game down and walk backwards slowly, no hasty movements, just putting the game purchases away.'”