Heritage of Kings: The Settlers

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Feb 24, 2005
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
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  1. Gamer's Hell
    72
    If you felt "Warcraft III" had lost some appeal due to the shift from city building to more direct fighting, then The Settlers - Heritage of Kings is the game for you. It is a tad more oriented to the management side and has a couple more upgrading and research options than the Blizzard title, so you might enjoy the base building and upgrading.
  2. Computer and Video Games
    65
    Settlers is far from awful, it's just mind-numbingly dull. Which is far, far worse.
  3. IGN
    65
    The gameplay, which I had believed would be changing fairly significantly, hasn't really changed a bit. Armies are organized a tad bit differently, but combat is still elementary school strategy for dummies.
  5. 3DAvenue
    65
    It's a bold move forward for the series, but it's ultimately a move into blandness that robs the series of much of its earlier charm.
  6. GameZone
    65
    Addictive and compelling are not words that would be used to describe the gameplay.
  7. 1UP
    65
    Once you've been through the process a few times, however, it gradually becomes a snooze fest.
  8. Worth Playing
    65
    Passable, though there is not enough new to it to really recommend it, and its flaws stand out like a sore thumb.
  9. Armchair Empire
    65
    It is quite satisfying to power your way through the technology developments but having to do this over and over again, loses its entertainment value.
  10. GameSpot
    64
    This is a huge game, but not in a good way. There simply just isn't enough action or variety to keep your attention, and the complex economic structure feels just a tad bit too complex for its own good.
  11. Computer Games Online RO
    63
    The maps are very detailed, which will become evident when you will use the zoom function of the camera - too bad the ambient life is pretty scarce.
  12. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    63
    The graphics are good, but every other feature is just scooped up from a number of other strategy games, and spread thinly.
  13. WHAM! Gaming
    61
    The game is downright boring, and although it looks pretty, even gamers new to the series probably won’t find many redeeming qualities in it.
  14. Gamer.tv
    60
    If you want your strategy to lean toward "SimCity"-style social engineering, then look no further than Heritage of Kings.
  15. PC Format
    60
    It's not awful. Just empty. [March 2005, p.106]
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  16. The Sydney Morning Herald
    60
    Unfortunately, because there are fewer resources than in previous versions, this becomes repetitive all too quickly.
  17. PC Gamer
    52
    Heritage of Kings unceremoniously abandons the heritage of Settlers. [May 2005, p.62]
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  18. Edge Magazine
    50
    While Heritage Of Kings has taken the series in a new direction without completely uprooting itself from the settlement-crafting past, it’s not been a successful evolution. Even the most lethargic and undemanding of gamers will quickly become bored of the gambolling wildlife and labouring peasants. [March 2005, p.87]
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  19. Eurogamer
    50
    By losing virtually everything that made the Settlers unique, Blue Byte has ended up with something that - somewhat predictably - that's the same as everything else, but not as good. From an original to the photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy.
  20. Yahoo!
    50
    Kings' city-building isn't deep enough for a well-functioning settlement to be its own reward, and the combat is confused and equally shallow.
  21. Detroit Free Press
    50
    Worst of all, we found that picking a particularly potent crew of heroes virtually ensures victories, stealing even the element of suspense.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 64
  3. Negative: 15 out of 64
  1. Peradon
    Feb 11, 2011
    6
    Not quite as bad as people make out, but not good enough to be considered a decent strategy game. Building up a city on the peaceful noNot quite as bad as people make out, but not good enough to be considered a decent strategy game. Building up a city on the peaceful no fighting map is quite fun, but to play the game properly the main thing you do is look for resources, not fight battles. Worth getting if all you like doing is building up cities, although there is an irritating lack of walls to build.… Full Review »
  2. MatikTheSeventh
    Oct 10, 2020
    7
    The game has an OK story and gameplay. The mechanics of weather changing the environment are innovative, and I always loved playing it.
  3. Empyrea
    Jul 30, 2017
    8
    I think this games deserves a 7 or an 7,5. In my opinion it's not as bad as people say. It's like Age of Empires. You can upgrade buildings,I think this games deserves a 7 or an 7,5. In my opinion it's not as bad as people say. It's like Age of Empires. You can upgrade buildings, armours, etc. Graphics could be better, even though I finished the game and it was entertained. You have several heroes or main characters and each of them has special skills. The story is ok, nothing unexpected. It's not a must have game at all but it's not a bad game neither. It's a normal game, an average game.… Full Review »
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