Knights of Honor

 PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 136 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 136
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 136
  3. Negative: 6 out of 136
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  1. tech-noir
    Oct 12, 2011
    9
    As with most strategy games, Knights of Honor is a little difficult to learn, if one is not accustomed to the genre. The developers thought it was a good idea to prevent players from skipping through three different introductions from gaming companies and an intro that is almost three minutes long. This is absolutely unacceptable. To stop this, you are forced to hold down the left Ctrl keyAs with most strategy games, Knights of Honor is a little difficult to learn, if one is not accustomed to the genre. The developers thought it was a good idea to prevent players from skipping through three different introductions from gaming companies and an intro that is almost three minutes long. This is absolutely unacceptable. To stop this, you are forced to hold down the left Ctrl key while clicking repeatedly the left mouse button (this took some Google searching to discover). What kind of idiotic idea is that? The tutorial is adequate, and the text is accompanied by an ideal voice actor. Voice acting as a whole is excellent. The in-game help system is also very good. There are some issues with crashing from time to time. The user reviewers here were spot on about this game. It is extremely addictive to grow, expand, rule Europe and its surrounding areas. Knights of Honor sucks you in and doesn't want to let you go. The hunger for more power, territory expansion, and blood grows each and every minute. The fun, tension, and excitement increases in strength after every battle, and every province won. You will not notice at all how the hours pass while playing this game. Easily, six our eight hours will expire before you notice. Restroom breaks will also become nonexistent. You will not want to stop! Nothing else will matter! Your eyes will be glued to the monitor! When you are not playing, you will be thinking about strategies to improve your kingdom and to win the game. The game is so good, I even lose sleep thinking about it. I want it all! The entire continent! There is near infinite re-playability, as each of the many kingdoms to choose from will play differently than the next. In addition, each game will also differ from each other, as near limitless alternative history scenarios will evolve and transpire. I would have liked for the game to have the in-game date for perspective. I would have also liked for the player to have access to more than just three religions from the period, with a choice to convert to atheism or at the very least paganism. It would have also been nice if the game included information on what language each kingdom spoke as well. What is also nice is that you can choose to not micromanage the battles. You are allowed to utilize the knights' AI to battle for you. This is one of the most engrossing and absorbing games I have ever played. I admit, that towards the very end, I had grown a bit tired of fighting all the time, but winning the game brought on a natural smile to my face. It took me about 33 hours to take Europe.… Expand
  2. JonathanT
    Feb 24, 2008
    10
    Amazing how they can make a game with such low quality graphics into the most addicitve game ever made. Warning: Stay AWAY from this game if you have an addictive personality, you would play this nonstop. The other thing I will say is that the music is brilliant.
  3. jamesensor
    Oct 30, 2011
    9
    I love this game for the following aspects:

    Strategy in real time, no turn based, with high replay value and it's easy to play for initiates. No big fancy graphics but they're absolutely on the level. There's developing, recruiting, espionage, coups to take other countries by inheritance with a carefully planned marriage, family to keep your dynasty living on, generals and other vassals    I love this game for the following aspects:

    Strategy in real time, no turn based, with high replay value and it's easy to play for initiates. No big fancy graphics but they're absolutely on the level. There's developing, recruiting, espionage, coups to take other countries by inheritance with a carefully planned marriage, family to keep your dynasty living on, generals and other vassals to upgrade. There's the pope's crusades to rant about, and another interesting aspect about this is that when you pick a country to start with, you'll also get its religion. Later you can change it too. Other great aspects of the game is the RTS battles with all units in battles or sieges, with the possibility, if you have a nearby army in the world map, to call for aid. But you can either do these battles by a probability factor or as I said, by controlling the army yourself. There's so much more I could say about this game, but it all resumes to this: worth buying, totally.    … Expand
  4. NikolayP.
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    One of the best games i've ever played - and i've played many....
  5. alik
    Sep 27, 2009
    10
    Paradox have done it again; made a game with somwhat lauthable graphics and have turned it into something amazing. it nails all of the historical facts 100% {for histori lovers its a must]
  6. TobiasM
    Dec 27, 2009
    10
    Knights of Honour stole a large part of my childhood and if you're a good rts fan you'll find it's addictivness rivalling WoW. This game is simply the best - it's getting old now and the combat is old but apart from that play this NOW if you have even the slightist intrest in RTS games.
  7. SamerK.
    Nov 10, 2004
    10
    If you like the Civ games you'll like this one. I've been playing it nonstop for 3 days now.
  8. EricG.
    Jun 30, 2005
    8
    A pretty good RTS. The controls are a little strange at times, and the graphics are kinda small. But, it's still a good game.
  9. GabrielB.
    Jan 2, 2005
    10
    Great new type of game, makes a change after age of empire sorts of game, a really really really worth exploring game.
  10. ArseniyF.
    Dec 10, 2004
    10
    Holy crap i have bin playing the demo fro 3 days now, and I live in the states and its only out in the Uk, but dont worry i ordered it , expensive as hell, but worth evrey penny.
  11. H.gaaert
    Dec 27, 2004
    10
    This game is one of the best i ever have played. While the graphics arent that well, the gameplay is very broad. and the gameplay of rome totalwar is nothing compared to this.
  12. Delian
    Aug 14, 2013
    10
    One of the best games I have ever played. The graphics may not be awesome but for real games, the gameplay is what matters and I can say this game delivers it.
  13. AlexP.
    May 15, 2004
    10
    Loss for words...
  14. RobertB.
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    Never before has a demo amazed me so much. Excellent gameplay, perfection in the storyline, and amazingly replayable. I have never played a demo for as long as I have this one.
  15. AnwarA.
    Jun 13, 2005
    10
    Coze tats the game in want after ROME TOTAL WAR.....my fav empire the Roman....Abbsids n Al-andusla(spain) is in the game :) from 1000 to 1500 gr8 medivial history...am history lover :D.
  16. Rodymetal
    Apr 6, 2012
    9
    One of best strategy game there, it is a mix between paradox titles like EU and Total war, everything else is just amazing, I do not what to say, but it is really balanced and there are so much to do, feels like a grand strategy but still have this RTS feel, Unlike total war games the campaing map played in real time (which is much better than Turn based style), the battles played likeOne of best strategy game there, it is a mix between paradox titles like EU and Total war, everything else is just amazing, I do not what to say, but it is really balanced and there are so much to do, feels like a grand strategy but still have this RTS feel, Unlike total war games the campaing map played in real time (which is much better than Turn based style), the battles played like total war but everything in 2D, siege battles are amazing too, the art style of game is superb and the sound cant get any better than this, the only con I have despite being a 2005 game the graphics are so dated, feels like 2001 graphics more, but you will not care much once you get immersed in the game, the historic accuracy is high here, not to the paradox titles par but at least much better than total war game. If you are a strategy lover, this game is a must... Big 9 can be 10 if the graphic was a bit better.… Expand
  17. aoetje
    Oct 20, 2012
    10
    One of the best strategy games ever, the cartoony style is made with sense and is a plus.
    Game offers a good chalange, conquering the whole map is satisfying ^^
    Interesting model of building your cities, you basically decide what buildings you put in, this way you can focus on economy or military aspect of a given city. Kingdom Advantages system is also a great idea, ecourages expansion.
  18. kha0sman
    Nov 18, 2013
    10
    I'm going to give it a 10/10 because of the idiotic mediocre CRITIC reviews. The game is very detailed and addicting, there are many features in this game, and at the same time it doesn't have a steep learning curve. Graphics are outdated, so I didn't touch it until my graphics card burned out, and I'm glad it did because that was pretty much the only reason why I decided to start up thisI'm going to give it a 10/10 because of the idiotic mediocre CRITIC reviews. The game is very detailed and addicting, there are many features in this game, and at the same time it doesn't have a steep learning curve. Graphics are outdated, so I didn't touch it until my graphics card burned out, and I'm glad it did because that was pretty much the only reason why I decided to start up this game. There's a random start for every playthrough, and many kingdoms to choose from, making an infinite amount of starting possibilities. Campaign is all real time, and combat in this game feels like Total War in some aspects. If you liked Rome: Total War (first one) for its detailed kingdom management, you'll love this game.… Expand
  19. BlackWidow
    Jul 6, 2013
    8
    KOH is an excellent medieval RTS, very underrated and unknown by many players. It was originally released in Belgium 2004 by Sunflowers and then by Paradox for North America in 2005. Developed by Black Sea Studios, (now Crytek Black Sea) they did a fantastic job on this game. However, there are some things I don't like about it, and it's merely personal preference.

    Despite KOH being a    KOH is an excellent medieval RTS, very underrated and unknown by many players. It was originally released in Belgium 2004 by Sunflowers and then by Paradox for North America in 2005. Developed by Black Sea Studios, (now Crytek Black Sea) they did a fantastic job on this game. However, there are some things I don't like about it, and it's merely personal preference.

    Despite KOH being a great RTS, it does tend to get a little boring and repetitive after awhile. The developers could have done some extra things to spice it up more, such as more historical units, random events like disease, fires, barbarian/mongol invasion, the plague, a royal family tree, etc. I find it a little odd that knights live forever unless killed in battle or by a spy, and your Kings only die of old age or in battle or by a spy. Didn't the developers know people died of disease and other things in those days, just like we do in today's world? I'm not trying to flame, not at all, the game is great, but a little more realism would have made KOH the best RTS ever.

    All in all, and despite my personal thoughts, KOH is a great game that everyone should try. You may love it, or hate it. 8/10    … Expand
  20. Thazari
    Dec 27, 2016
    9
    Seriously one of the best medieval strategy games ever. Very streamlined and accessible, but great gameplay and lots of fun. Each city on the map has different resources and local special units to recruit, giving you something cool and new with every city you conquer. You get a limited amount of heroes which you have to split between army generals and various dignitaries. There are someSeriously one of the best medieval strategy games ever. Very streamlined and accessible, but great gameplay and lots of fun. Each city on the map has different resources and local special units to recruit, giving you something cool and new with every city you conquer. You get a limited amount of heroes which you have to split between army generals and various dignitaries. There are some good diplomacy mechanics in place and the real time battles are intuitive and lots of fun.… Expand
  21. SilverOrlov
    Feb 22, 2021
    8
    For its time, a wonderful historical, economic and political strategy. There are a lot of nuances of development, behavior and other things. A gaming treasure for fans of these games. Of course, for its time. Now, probably only those who want to feel nostalgic can play it.
  22. Kalrion
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    This is pretty much the first computer game I've ever played, but still this is pretty much one of the best Strategy games ever to exist. Even though It's 15 years old It's still as fun as I remember. I'll look forward to the second game as well.
  23. AntiStar
    Feb 18, 2020
    10
    i am writing this review in 2020, yes i still play this game even today, the game remains fun to play in many ways, the game is almost 15 years old and personally for me is the best in its genre, devs have made a great work back in 2005, all i can say thank you for the game and for those who have not tried it yet, i wonder what are you waiting for,

    P.S. hope to see KOH 2 :Sovereign    i am writing this review in 2020, yes i still play this game even today, the game remains fun to play in many ways, the game is almost 15 years old and personally for me is the best in its genre, devs have made a great work back in 2005, all i can say thank you for the game and for those who have not tried it yet, i wonder what are you waiting for,

    P.S.

    hope to see KOH 2 :Sovereign soon , keep up the good work    … Expand
  24. crazydudewwz
    Jun 22, 2020
    9
    Still play this game. Everything needed in a Medieval geopolitical simulator. Espionage, the AI can and will use the same tricks on you. Had all my generals rebel one time. Some were maxed out. That created a huge problem. It took me a while to clean up that mess. But my conquest of the old world was merely delayed. Found out through using espionage later that's a action you can take onStill play this game. Everything needed in a Medieval geopolitical simulator. Espionage, the AI can and will use the same tricks on you. Had all my generals rebel one time. Some were maxed out. That created a huge problem. It took me a while to clean up that mess. But my conquest of the old world was merely delayed. Found out through using espionage later that's a action you can take on enemy kingdoms if one of your spies is hired as their general but it also depends on the spy's skill level. Setup marriages to get more land when the in laws pass on. There is so much to this game besides conquest! My only problem is the resolution is for older laptops. It doesn't even have 720p built into the game. But, hey, it's fun and that's what games are supposed to be. Fun and replayable.… Expand
  25. Nekellor_Met
    Aug 1, 2020
    7
    Игра теряет шарм, но не теряет желание дочистить карту когда разгадываешь ее довольно простую схему на чем строиться игра. Хотя довольно интересно отыграть лорда, но на сегодняшний день есть альтернативы и по лучше
  26. RockerKR
    Nov 17, 2020
    9
    llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Good Game llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
  27. Nick7000
    Mar 7, 2023
    10
    Тотальное залипалово. Покупая эту игру имейте ввиду, вы пропадете в ней на пару сотен часов, и обязательно сделаете это еще раз спустя время, а потом еще раз, а потом еще разок.
  28. JornoWiesel
    Nov 6, 2022
    8
    I might be a little bit biased, because i think most of my fun with this game comes from the nostalgia that i got. I played it when i was around 12-14 and the game still has the same appeal. The only difference is that with 12 years old, i mostly cheated my way through the game. And now i can see the appeal of the real gameplay. The gameplay loop is fun and quickly addicting. Even theI might be a little bit biased, because i think most of my fun with this game comes from the nostalgia that i got. I played it when i was around 12-14 and the game still has the same appeal. The only difference is that with 12 years old, i mostly cheated my way through the game. And now i can see the appeal of the real gameplay. The gameplay loop is fun and quickly addicting. Even the replay value is high because of the different factions. But the game also has many unbalanced parts and if a playthrough goes on to long, the fun is quickly diminished. Overall it‘s probably only a fun time for people who played it when it came out, because we now got similar newer games that have a way better execution of the same concept.… Expand
  29. LT_Gruber
    Dec 10, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best strategy games I have ever played.

    Knights of Honor is a masterpiece. It is easy to learn yet it is difficult to master. Your goal is to conquer Europe by force or with smart politics. You must become a major power in Europe and wipe out the competition. You start as a nation of your choosing, all historical accurate, and get to work.

    You form trade routes with other factions, ally with them or annihilate them. You must manage your finances, suppress rebellion and must collect trade goods so other factions show more affection to trade with you. You can claim and inherent lands when letting your heir to the throne marry a princess from another kingdom and without an heir for yourself, everything falls into chaos.

    The mechanics, options, and possibilities in Knights of Honor are very advanced, even for a game this old. As a kid I never understood this game but later after learning the mechanics, it became one of my favorite games.

    Knights of Honor is not a fast game. Everything goes slowly and steady. This also makes it very relaxing. The game runs in real time but movement, actions and restocking your cities with food, manpower and gold takes a lot of time. When I want to relax or wait for something else to install for example, I can always get back to this game.

    The graphics of Knights of Honor are fair, but in today’s time, the low resolution is a little bit harder to watch at. The music is excellent, the composer Borislav Slavov is a genius. The tracks are calming, epic and always fit the situation you are in. It is just great.

    The battle system is unique for its time. It has the same principle as the Total War games today. You encounter an army or an enemy city, the game goes into a strategic battlefield and you can move your squads. Knights of Honor has a unique system in which you can still win the battle, even if your army is weaker. If your archers are positioned on hills and can kill a lot of enemies, the tide will turn. Every faction has its own special units which vary in cost, availability, and squad size.

    The game has some minor issues like crashing to the desktop (leaving your screen with a crappy resolution) but I blame the age of the game and therefore accept it. Another minor issue is balancing. There are some nations in the game with god like units which, if recruited, will destroy every other unit in the game. The Teutonic Knights are a prime example of this.

    Knights of Honor will always have a place in my black heart and I can always get back to it.

    Surely recommend it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best PC Game of 2005
46
#46 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
36
#36 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. IGN
    77
    By mixing the real-time empire management of games like "Europa Universalis" with a tactical battle system that seems drawn from Impression's city-building games, Knights of Honor tries to offer a wide variety of experiences. Sadly this breadth causes the game to lose some of its focus.
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  2. PC Format
    86
    Strategically sound, with great replay value, but weak multiplayer. [Dec 2004, p.93]
    Read full review
  3. GameZone
    78
    Though the complete control might be a little much for most gamers, the ones that learn the game will enjoy it very much. Creating a dynasty, signing peace treaties, and declaring wars really makes you feel like you’re in control.
    Read full review
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