Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior Review

Since I played the original Chivalry game I’ve been curious to see what Torn Banner Studios would release next. I was

excited when I saw that Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior was on the way. The idea of  finally being able to settle the age old dispute of pirates vs ninjas was quite appealing, instead of just playing as the classes from Medieval Warfare. By far the best way to revitalise a game franchise is to add ninjas or pirates. (I’m looking at you Call of Duty.)

 I’m glad that Torn Banner decided to make this title DLC instead of a full spinoff title, which they could have easily done, because Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior is almost identical to Chivalry: Medieval Warfare.  The same game modes are there as well, team death match, free for all, capture the flag and so on.  However they have added some new game modes, which include some capture the flag variants and a new duel mode. Some new maps are now also available ranging from Greek Temples to Ninja monasteries. It’s really good to see that Torn Banner have put a lot of  effort into this expansion and haven’t just released a half-baked attempt at an expansion. The partnership with the Deadliest Warrior franchise was a great idea in my opinion, as it brought a real cool opportunity to ad a bunch of cool new classes. Each of these new classes are unique and fun to play. The new classes include: Samurai, Ninja, Spartan, Pirate and Viking.

The 6th class is a knight from Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, which is still a welcome addition. Each of these classes are relatively well balanced, however I have seen many a complaint about the pirates. The best part is that all these classes are very different from the classes in Chivalry: Medieval Warfare (besides the knight of course). All the classes are unique and bring different mechanics and play styles. Each class plays like you’d assume they would. The ninja is fast and agile, running circles around their opponents and the Vikings are crazy berserkers who charge into fights swinging axes and swords. Everyone who plays will very quickly find their favourite class to play, my favourite being the ninja. No two classes are the same and I really like this about the game. New weapons have been added for each class which further increases their uniqueness.

The pirates have flintlock pistols and the samurai have katanas and each weapon if fun to use, or try to use in my case. The new weapons gave the game a whole new fresh feel for me having come from the bows and swords from Chivalry: Medieval Warfare.  Each of the maps are really unique and well designed. Each map is from each of the respective classes eras and each is fun and unique. Overall the gameplay in Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior at its core is very similar Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, but the variation in the classes and maps makes up for this.

The visuals in Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior haven’t changed to much from Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. The textures and maps look really good, like they did in Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. The lighting is by far the most impressive, even the maps set in the night time look spectacular. However the animations are still a little dodgy. I can tell that Torn Banner do their animations manually and don’t have motion capture,  and I can give them benefit of the doubt, but goodness the animations can look really bad sometimes. The music is only really noticeably present on the title screen, otherwise there is next to no music in actual gameplay. I feel that epic battle music would really suit this game. Overall though, Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior presents itself really well and i sup to the standard of games being released nowadays.

Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior has a good lifespan. The addictive nature of the gameplay will keep you entertained for ages. This game is very fun and takes skill to master, which will keep you hooked as you try to the finesse the perfect blocking and stabbing combo. I was constantly coming back so I could run along the roof tops as a ninja only to jump on an unsuspecting pirate.

Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior  is available for PC through Steam.