After changing the resolution settings (especially getting rid of anti-aliasing) the game ran at a modest 30 FPS, which is disappointing on a card that can play Half-Life 2 on its highest settings at twice the frame rate, but the graphics were still very pretty. However, the combat is where this game really gets interesting and frustrating.
The game has 3 classes and (of course) two sides to choose from. There’s the Mason Order and the Agathia Knights and each has a footman, archer, and knight class to choose from. Each class also has three primary weapons to choose from (which also affects the secondary weapon)... and all the weapons are fun to use. When sword fighting, blindly swinging will not only (quickly) deplete your stamina, but will get you killed extremely quickly.
The game requires strategy when fighting, whether it be 1-on-1, 2-on-2, or some other way. One player can easily take out three people with most of his health intact (as I have done a few times). As a nice addition to the combat, it is possible to decapitate an enemy, which is very satisfying.
The damage area for a weapon varies with each one, but a sword and any other (melee) weapon will do damage to any enemy within the swing arc, which is where the game can get frustrating. The swing radius, which varies for every weapon, is slightly off (not as bad as it used to be though) by about 2-5 feet (in-game); so when you think you’re a safe distance from that sword, but close enough to quickly strike back, you may be wrong. This slight mistake can be frustrating if you have someone who stays just far enough to make you think you won’t reach him (you don’t want to waste stamina and leave yourself open) but he decapitates you from a distance that was too far. This rarely happens since most people don’t know about, or notice the mistake. Overall, combat is fun, especially when you get a headshot with a throwing weapon or decapitate an enemy, strategic (most of the times), and engaging (the game contains a vertical and horizontal swing, and a stab move for every melee weapon, and the damage each type does varies by weapon).
Great review....except... Sound only 5.0?
Background music... in a multiplay FPS?
Sound is great in this mod. Everything has sound!