Published by Interplay Entertainment in the early nineties, Castles is a building simulation game set in the eleventh century on the Western coast of England. The overall goal of the game is to fortify the coastline in defense against the marauding Celtic hordes. Castles offers features of many gaming genre. It is primarily a simulation game, charging the user with building well-constructed and easily defended castles. There are also elements of military strategy due to the limited number of castles allowed and their positioning. The game features a text-based, multiple choice story line, micro managerial elements and a very simple combat mode, as well.
Published by Interplay Entertainment in the early nineties, Castles is a building simulation game set in the eleventh century on the Western coast of England. The overall goal of the game is to fortify the coastline in defense against the marauding Celtic hordes. Castles offers features of many gaming genre. It is primarily a simulation game, charging the user with building well-constructed and easily defended castles. There are also elements of military strategy due to the limited number of castles allowed and their positioning. The game features a text-based, multiple choice story line, micro managerial elements and a very simple combat mode, as well.
Each of the eight allotted castles is initially designed by the user. Gamers can customize the look and function of the castles by changing
many of the castle’s features, including the height and thickness of the walls; the presence of crenels for archers; spigots for boiling oil; the position of the gatehouse; and the overall size of the structure. Resources are limited, so forethought and planning are both required to build a successful series of castles. After the castles are designed, masons and carpenters must be hired to complete the design, again tapping into the kingdom’s resources. Resources must be managed and taxes must be levied to keep the coffers full.
Both planned and random events will effect the progress of construction. One example of a planned event would be the changing seasons, which must be prepared for by the purchase of provisions for the workers. Random events include visits from outside characters offering threats or requesting aid.
The combat portion of the game is simple and does not involve as much time and management as preparing for it. Users hire soldiers based on available money. Different varieties of units can be bought and used according to their strengths and weakness, for example archers fight at range, whereas knights fight on the battlefield itself. Gamers position their units and fill out the ranks as he or she sees fit. Enemies can be anything from a catapult to a nasty ogre, but all are seeking to tear down the walls of the castles.
The campaign can be short or long, depending on the number castles the gamer chooses to complete. As construction nears an end, attacks and random events will try to slow down the process and continue the game it is up to the gamer to manage defenses, resources and military to insure that construction continues and the castles continue to prosper. I’m sure you’ll like it! You need downloading it!
