1C Entertainment have released a new dev diary for their upcoming tactical RPG, King’s Bounty II, focusing on the most frequently asked questions.
Of note is how some fans felt the game shifted away from the high fantasy of its predecessor for dark fantasy. Lead narrative designer Igor Khudaev explains the game is still high fantasy, but with some realistic elements. This also includes more complex themes, within the 12+ rating.
Confirmed “sentient” races include humans, undead, dragons, dwarfs, trolls, and more. Each of these races have two or three factions, with their own set of units and fighting style. Along with opposing factions, monsters include griffons, constructs, chimeras, and more; all recruitable to your army.
While units cannot use artifacts, they can use other equipment. Artifacts worn by the hero do improve their entire army however. Individual characters within unit squads also have different faces and hair-styles. The unit also changes as their rank improves from experience.
Unlike the prior game, players can now keep an infinite number of units in reserve. This lets them better change their party depending on their foes, but based on the footage it seems there will be some kind of a morale system based on the units’ factions in relation to one another.
The player can use up to five unit squads in combat with some limits (such as only one of big creatures such as dragons), but it seems a quest may let them expand this to six. While there will be plenty of Easter eggs to past King’s Bounty games, it does not sound like this game will follow on from the prior ones.
You can find the Q&A below.
You can find the rundown of the game (via Steam) below:
Offering a fresh take on the acclaimed fantasy series, King’s Bounty 2 expands upon its tactical turn-based battles to offer players a truly immersive RPG experience that adds weight to their every decision, whether leading an army into battle against unliving horrors, or building relations with local townsfolk. Experience a rich world that blends realism and fantasy, filled with compelling stories, memorable characters and moral choices aplenty!
Taking on the mantle of one of three heroes – each with their own unique story – players embark on a non-linear, open-world adventure across a detailed and densely-packed fantasy landscape. Split into two distinct phases, players traverse the realm from a third-person perspective, picking up quests, exploring the wilderness, and getting to know the people they meet. When conflict arises, however, the perspective shifts to tactical, turn-based combat. Players must then make smart use of their units as they fight to win.
Set in the vast realms of Antara, a great danger has arisen. A mysterious blight has descended upon its furthest reaches, corrupting the land and all who live there. Refugees from the affected regions have begun arriving in the kingdom of Nostria, putting food and resources in short supply. Once living souls, blight-distorted creatures now roam the countryside leaving chaos and destruction in their wake. The land itself fights for survival, giving your decisions greater weight than ever before. How will you forge Antara’s future?
Key Features
- Interactive and cinematic story – Told through the lens of a highly cinematic experience, King’s Bounty 2 puts choice in players’ hands rather than their mouths. Embracing classic RPG traditions, players are frequently faced with difficult moral choices that have far-reaching consequences for the fate of the realm. But instead of hinging on simple dialogue choices, it is the players’ actions that hold the true weight
- Landscape matters – When players enter combat, the battlefield directly reflects the specific part of the world map that they’re traversing. This forces players to consider their surroundings before entering combat, to minimize potential risks or even try to give themselves the upper hand
- No more flat arenas – Realistic, volumetric battlefields are now an integral part of combat in King’s Bounty 2. Creating maximum tactical diversity, all manner of obstacles and features can be found on the combat maps, from ravines and hills to wagons and more. Every battle now has its own unique tactical advantages and disadvantages
- New character development system – King’s Bounty 2 gives players three characters to choose from, each with their own unique story. As they explore the realm, their stories change as they align themselves with different ideals: Strength, Art, Order, and Anarchy. Not only do these choices affect how NPCs react to them, but they also have a tangible impact on the world
- Unique squads – Each squad consists of wholly unique units, each with their own set of skills and visual appearance. Instead of faceless recruits, players build armies of humans, elves, trolls, and other creatures who spend the majority of their adventure fighting side-by-side, developing lasting bonds
Tactical depth on the battlefield – King’s Bounty 2 introduces many new tactical features to the series, such as Line of Sight, for a deeper, richer combat experience. Surprise tactical events mid-battle will also keep players on their toes- Unique blend of realism and fantasy – Experience a vast fantasy world that expertly blends beloved genre tropes with a gritty realism to ensure players remain grounded in this desperate, realm-wide struggle
King’s Bounty II launches 2021 for Windows PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
