A lot can be discerned about Vikings: The Strategy of Ultimate Conquest just by studying the title. First and foremost, it features a great Norse theme with Vikings striking out from their homelands to rape, pillage and plunder. It is set somewhere in the ninth century. Secondly, it is a strategy game, or at least a hybrid of strategy, adventure and action. Third, the goal of the game is conquest and expansion. The combination of many elements makes it reminiscent of Sid Meier’s classic Pirates! only with a Viking theme.
Many of the same actions are involved: sailing, plundering, and women.
Vikings: The Strategy of Ultimate Conquest was developed by Random Games, who have also programmed many other great strategy games. It was released in the middle nineties by the GT Interactive Corporation. It features the third person perspective through portions of the game, mostly from a top down look. It was developed specifically for the Windows format.
In Vikings: The Strategy of Ultimate Conquest, the user is able to choose from three nations that are predominantly Norse: Sweden, Norway, or Denmark. The user is the ruler of one of these nations and needs to grow in fame and fortune. If the user chooses to remain in his homeland, the country will likely prosper under
his rule, but the ruler himself will stagnate. If the user chooses to sail away, he will gain fame and fortune that will eventually telegraph into his home country. Aside from choosing the ruler and his land in the beginning, the user also chooses a difficulty setting and an advantage. In other words, he can choose one facet of his life that he will be especially good at.
The user who chooses to take a band of Viking raiders onto the high seas or across the lands will see an overhead map of Northern Europe. The user will wander around the map seeking something interesting, such as towns or secret areas. In towns, the user can enter and speak to people, possibly learning clues about interesting things in the area or picking up more men/items. Or he can attack the town and try to plunder it. The combats in these sequences are turn-based and tactical. They are fairly straightforward and simple to understand, but not always easy to win. Much depends on your men, strength, and the opposing defenses. The user can also duel with leaders of towns or ships. There are many things he can do, actually…again similar to Pirates! He can wed, duel, accept quests, participate in bar brawls and so forth…all to gain a little fame and fortune. Such is the Viking way!
Overall, this is a handsomely done and fun little game that most users will enjoy. It has elements of so many genre that every gamer should find something worth liking in this game. Vikings: The Strategy of Ultimate Conquest is a highly recommended download.
