King's Bounty: Dark Side

 PC
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Aug 21, 2014
    90
    Frankly speaking, we did not expect much from "The Dark Side". Therefore, the adventure of dark trinity – orc, vampire and she devil – became a pleasant surprise primarily due to the unexpectedly well-designed questing system. More good news – tactics have remained virtually unchanged. [September 2014, p. 68]
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  2. DarkStation
    Sep 30, 2014
    80
    It isn’t much of a problem for this game, but for future iterations, the developer will either have to get creative once again or give the series a big makeover.
  3. GameSpot
    Jul 25, 2014
    80
    This is one of those cases where familiarity and excellence peacefully coexist, and that approach tends to work well whether you're singing about vanished rock stars or gaming with creatures of the night.
  5. 4P.de
    Jul 18, 2014
    77
    Yes, the visuals are a bit outdated by now. And the difficulty level could use more balancing. But as we all know: The dark side can be fun.
  6. Hooked Gamers
    Sep 15, 2014
    75
    All in all, King’s Bounty is starting to feel a little old. You explore the campaign map’s islands, fight chess-like battles with stacks of fantastical armies, cast spells to buff your units or hurl pain at those of the enemies and that’s pretty much it.
  7. 3DJuegos
    Aug 12, 2014
    75
    The dark side is fun although its graphic engine and visuals are outdated.
  8. IGN Italia
    Aug 25, 2014
    71
    Dark Side is at the same time a game for irredeemable fans of King's Bounty and a good point of entry for new players. But if you're a hardcore strategy fan, you should avoid it.
  9. Games.cz
    Dec 3, 2014
    70
    King's Bounty: Dark Side is tasty sweet for fans of the genre and the series. Game offers the chance to play for the bad guys together with a sophisticated gaming system and several interesting innovations. We would appreciate the game play and technological improvement though.
  10. CD-Action
    Oct 22, 2014
    70
    The biggest strength and simultaneously the most notable weakness of Dark Side is the fact, that it’s the first King’s Bounty all over again. It’s still fun, but how much longer? [Sept 2014, p.66]
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  11. GameOver.gr
    Sep 17, 2014
    70
    It's pretty much the same game over and over again, but we can't help but love the fact that with every new King's Bounty installment we're having a great time.
  12. Everyeye.it
    Sep 4, 2014
    70
    Dark Side exalt the classic formula of this old franchise, trying to convince the player with an "obscure" turn. Too bad the story is unworthy and futile.
  13. GameStar
    Aug 21, 2014
    68
    At the core it's a solid strategy game but almost nothing is better or different. Less innovation than FIFA or Call of Duty.
  14. GameWatcher
    Aug 14, 2014
    50
    King's Bounty: Dark Side is absolutely not a bad game, in fact it's fun and very addictive. The trouble is that they've already released it at least three times under different subtitles and with the absolute bare minimum of tweaks.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 98 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 98
  3. Negative: 23 out of 98
  1. matod
    Aug 24, 2014
    5
    As a fan of whole series i cant recomend this one. Its unfinished like wont mainly of game balance(new spells , crazy unit disbalance) andAs a fan of whole series i cant recomend this one. Its unfinished like wont mainly of game balance(new spells , crazy unit disbalance) and later maps is almost completly empty.. empty areas and the main thing if you play imposible theres no real enemy that can threat yours army.. this destroys whole experience why you build army and level up when there is no enemy to fight? Game release date is totaly rushed , but its better than WOTN witch was terrible (2/10)… Full Review »
  2. Sjalka
    Aug 20, 2014
    8
    this series is a bit like a wolf in sheeps clothings. - it looks cartoonish, bright and colourful - but it is certainly on the tougher side ofthis series is a bit like a wolf in sheeps clothings. - it looks cartoonish, bright and colourful - but it is certainly on the tougher side of strategy games ( casual strategy games ).

    compared to disciples or homm VI or similar - the other games "look" more serious, but are generally a push-over compared to the kings bounty series, which is very nice indeed.

    dark side has an abundance of creatures, items, spells and character development. it offers a long campaign and a good replayability due to randomized progression and loot, which does matter quite a lot.    … Full Review »
  3. NYX94
    Jul 30, 2014
    10
    a really fresh edition to the king's bounty series, while the game play hasn't changed much, almost everything else changed. you no longera really fresh edition to the king's bounty series, while the game play hasn't changed much, almost everything else changed. you no longer have one campaign for all three classes, there are now a different campaign for each class which really adds to the already long hours to beat. the addition of new units really makes it harder for you to choose from, and the fact that you can take prisoners and turn them to soldiers is really cool. expect this game to be among the top contendors for Game of The Year 2014.… Full Review »
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