Heritage of Kings: The Settlers

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Feb 24, 2005
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
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  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 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.
  2. JeffL.
    Mar 4, 2005
    3
    Horrible bugs, no ai, heck it wont even install on my other computer. An unpolished game like this shouldn't have been released.
  3. Jam
    Feb 25, 2005
    2
    Playing this game was very boring. After 8 hours of playing retail version I simply uninstalled it, because there were no fun. Game is not interesting for me as old settlers fan, but for RTS strategy fans too. .I would rate: Graphics 9 of 10, GamePlay 1/10.
  4. Color_42
    Feb 26, 2005
    0
    This game should not be called settlers even! Im happy I didnt buy it borrewd it from a friend that got borred in a day I couldnt belive it at first but now after 5missions Im unistalling it HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GOOD OLD SETTLERS which i played since the first one :(
  5. KobraC.
    Feb 26, 2005
    3
    Absolute garbage.. No AI in Multiplayer/Lan, butchery of the Settlers name. This game is destined for the bargin bin - within a week!
  6. ChrisH.
    Mar 18, 2005
    0
    I recently reinstalled Settlers 2 Gold just for some nostalgia, and have since reinstalled settlers 3 and 4. all this after first playing Settlers 5, and i would much rather play any of the other 4 games then play this ever again. i have never liked the RTS genre, but i could sit down and play settlers 2 for hours on end, loosing all track of time. i really hope that blue byte decide to I recently reinstalled Settlers 2 Gold just for some nostalgia, and have since reinstalled settlers 3 and 4. all this after first playing Settlers 5, and i would much rather play any of the other 4 games then play this ever again. i have never liked the RTS genre, but i could sit down and play settlers 2 for hours on end, loosing all track of time. i really hope that blue byte decide to make another REAL settlers game for the true settlers fans, or else we will just have to replay 2 3 and 4 over, and over, and over again ;)… Expand
  7. ZekeG.
    Apr 20, 2006
    1
    Unbelievable horrible. The pace is so slow I am comatose from trying to get enough resources. A big yawn. I can't believe real people designed such an utterly dull game.
  8. MirkoP.
    Jan 29, 2007
    2
    I didn't know what to expect from this game... It was my firs time with this title and the feeling after spent 6 hours of game playing is... miserable! Graphic ok, but the collection of resources and battle is boring in best hand... I have uninstalled it after seven, long, and painful hours.
  9. PhilipW.
    Feb 26, 2005
    0
    Not a settlers game, just another dodgy non-resource based wast of space.
  10. Darkraider39
    Nov 25, 2010
    9
    While this game has no real resemblance to current Settlers games or previous ones, If you view the game as its own and not as a part of a series, you will find it to be a fun, if a bit slow, RTS game. Even if you wish to build your city and not be attacked unless you want to be, theres a mission for it. I myself found this game very enjoyable.
  11. 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, 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 butI 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.… Expand
  12. 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.
  13. kanefriessner
    Jul 26, 2012
    2
    First of all, it's not Settlers. I don't know why were the developers replaced the Settlers gameplay with this, because it's not so good. The campaign is boring. Very boring. The skirmish is worse. There is no AI. Yes, you read it good. There is no AI. I played on a skirmish map for nearly 1 and a half hour and then I discovered that the enemy is standing and doing nothing (like PatrickFirst of all, it's not Settlers. I don't know why were the developers replaced the Settlers gameplay with this, because it's not so good. The campaign is boring. Very boring. The skirmish is worse. There is no AI. Yes, you read it good. There is no AI. I played on a skirmish map for nearly 1 and a half hour and then I discovered that the enemy is standing and doing nothing (like Patrick Star). Anyway the economic system is a failure too. The workers (I think they are slaves, because they don't need beds to sleep or food to eat, maybe they are aliens) are gathering resources too slow, terribly slow. This thing makes the game horribly boring. Maybe watching the wall for 2 hours is more exciting. To say something good, the graphics are pretty good. But it's not enough, because the gameplay is bad and the whole game is way too boring. A bad game, don't buy it!… Expand
  14. B.A.
    Nov 15, 2004
    10
    Best game ever played.
  15. FGM
    Nov 1, 2019
    0
    It'a boring, slow, uninspired, graphics are mediocre, combat is tragic, units management is horrible, voice acting is like 12 year old makes a prank call, missions are long and boring, quests are super generic and the game overall is a puke and probably was a puke at the time it came out. It has nothing to do with Settlers, settlers is a kingdom management game, this is a bad taste RTS. IIt'a boring, slow, uninspired, graphics are mediocre, combat is tragic, units management is horrible, voice acting is like 12 year old makes a prank call, missions are long and boring, quests are super generic and the game overall is a puke and probably was a puke at the time it came out. It has nothing to do with Settlers, settlers is a kingdom management game, this is a bad taste RTS. I regret spending my quids on it in 2019.… Expand
  16. Zennap
    Jan 1, 2017
    10
    Good game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best game ever played.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  17. Nigihayami
    Sep 25, 2018
    5
    This game is really dull, boring and repetitive. Almost each mission looks the same, even in extras (both of them don't add much to game). AI doesn't exist. Plot is very simple and characters are not very interesting. The biggest advantage is graphics- snow sceneries looks fantastic.
    Graphics: 8/10
    Sounds: 6+/10
    Gameplay: 5/10
    Rating: 5+/10
  18. TomS.
    Apr 2, 2006
    8
    I have been playing FPS and soccer games for a long long time. My 1st RTS or whatever type it is. I decided to learn the game to teach my child of 11. Well, we both have an amazing time playing it in single player. Will try a LAN game. I'm buying the expansion packs. Don't believe all the reviews. It's a fun game.
  19. DanielE.
    Feb 9, 2005
    9
    If the demo is anything to go by this game is going to be worth it's money, Warcraft 3 type of camera which is a bit crappy otherwise best played in a long time.
  20. Th-WB
    Mar 21, 2005
    8
    I do like the graphics and the music, but the building of a city costs a lot of time and the AI is dumb. I get stuck as a rule around level 7 or so but I reached the end without any difficulties. Each level is roughly 1.30 hours building and 1 hour slashing.
  21. Garreth
    Feb 22, 2005
    7
    The Settlers series makes a quantum leap backward from what was, in essence, an excellent city builder with rather dull combat elements (Settlers III & IV) to a wholly mediocre RTS (Settlers HoK): nice graphics, reasonably in depth base building, and shallow combat. The game also introduces heroes for the first time, but lacking any RPG features they serve as little more than serviceable The Settlers series makes a quantum leap backward from what was, in essence, an excellent city builder with rather dull combat elements (Settlers III & IV) to a wholly mediocre RTS (Settlers HoK): nice graphics, reasonably in depth base building, and shallow combat. The game also introduces heroes for the first time, but lacking any RPG features they serve as little more than serviceable plot hooks during the 20-30 hour single player campaign. The retail version appears stable and I… Expand
  22. JamieSteevnson
    Feb 21, 2005
    8
    Its a strange mix of Settlers series and age of empires. You don
  23. DavidWilliamC.
    Feb 25, 2005
    3
    Its not good.
  24. SamK.
    Feb 9, 2005
    1
    What a shame! Why do they call this Settlers? They should call it something else because it's NOT Settlers. It bears no resemblance. Anyone who likes the old stuff and is expecting a better version of the same will be hugely disappointed as I was. They should have called it something else and then maybe I'd give it an 8 or 9. Settlers fans - settlers is dead.
  25. AndyR.
    Dec 17, 2004
    3
    If you're a fan of the settlers series you'll be gobsmacked by this effort, it's NOTHING like the settlers AT ALL! it's more like a mix of empire earth crossed with stronghold. Sure the graphics look nice, but since when has settlers had a currency!? any what is with buying settlers!? The whole game has just shattered the original settlers economics. Having said that, If you're a fan of the settlers series you'll be gobsmacked by this effort, it's NOTHING like the settlers AT ALL! it's more like a mix of empire earth crossed with stronghold. Sure the graphics look nice, but since when has settlers had a currency!? any what is with buying settlers!? The whole game has just shattered the original settlers economics. Having said that, if it wasn't titled as part of the settlers series, it would be a rather good game.… Expand
  26. JamieS.
    Feb 10, 2005
    8
    This is like a cross between settlers and age of empires. The graphics are nice, it plays well ... but it's lost almost the whole feeling of settlers. Bottom Line: It's an ok RTS. But if you really want another "settlers" experience, your best bet is the excellent "Cultures" series --- especially northland or eighth wonder of the world.
  27. Mike
    Feb 13, 2005
    5
    As a game goes, it's fairly good - the only problem is I got it because I wanted SETTLERS. IT IS NOT SETTLERS AS WE KNOW IT. This game seems to me to be a cross between AoE and Black & White and has lost the uniqueness of the previous versions.
  28. Cheyvl
    Jun 29, 2020
    7
    I like this because i'm has been playing some years ago,but now this game is ok.
  29. everchosenlily
    Dec 25, 2020
    8
    The Settlers: HoK is a good game.
    However, people seem to judge it by whether it is a good Settlers game- its gameplay does depart from its predecessors quite a lot, being more akin to RTS games like Age of Empires or Warcraft 3- and not by its actual quality, which is by all accounts quite high.
    The biggest problem the game has is its complete lack of enemy AI (and thusly its lack of a    The Settlers: HoK is a good game.
    However, people seem to judge it by whether it is a good Settlers game- its gameplay does depart from its predecessors quite a lot, being more akin to RTS games like Age of Empires or Warcraft 3- and not by its actual quality, which is by all accounts quite high.
    The biggest problem the game has is its complete lack of enemy AI (and thusly its lack of a Skirmish mode vs AI opponents), their actions in campaign maps being based on basic Lua scripts, but the premade maps that are there are great fun to play.
    The level builder is a welcome addition.    … Expand
  30. Varela
    Nov 4, 2021
    10
    That game was perfect very nostalgic game and enjoyable, totally recomended
  31. vare_babhta
    Dec 16, 2021
    10
    I had an amazing time playing it in single player very good memories 10/10.
  32. CausticMisery
    Jan 28, 2023
    6
    A neat little game with charming graphics, characters and gorgeous soundtrack.
  33. janwe04
    Jul 20, 2022
    8
    Maybe I just like it because I played it since a little kid. Maybe it’s not the best but I like it.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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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
  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.
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  2. Computer and Video Games
    65
    Settlers is far from awful, it's just mind-numbingly dull. Which is far, far worse.
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  3. Gamer.tv
    60
    If you want your strategy to lean toward "SimCity"-style social engineering, then look no further than Heritage of Kings.
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