King's Field: The Ancient City

 PlayStation 2
King's Field: The Ancient City Image
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

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  • Summary: An accursed idol responsible for the destruction of an ancient race has resurfaced to wreak havoc once again among the kingdoms of man. You must return the idol to the Ancient City to break its curse, but monsters of unspeakable horror haunt the ruins. There is a palpable fear in the air ofAn accursed idol responsible for the destruction of an ancient race has resurfaced to wreak havoc once again among the kingdoms of man. You must return the idol to the Ancient City to break its curse, but monsters of unspeakable horror haunt the ruins. There is a palpable fear in the air of the Ancient City - even the monsters themselves fear the evil that has returned. Treasures beyond imagination await the warrior bold enough to attempt the journey, strong enough to face the minions of death, and wise enough to follow the path that leads to the essence of light! Use your sword arm well to rid the land of a potent curse! Be aware that should the sword fail, you have the magical arts to serve you in your quest. [Agetec]… Expand
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King's Field IV Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. GameZone
    82
    If this game is played for 15 minutes and then discarded due to the slow speed and pace of the game, you aren’t giving it the patience it deserves.
  2. GamePro
    80
    With a better laid-out world, more cleverly hidden treasures, and a great sense of nonlinearity, The Ancient City is a nice bit of evolution for the series.
  3. Electric Playground
    75
    It took me almost an hour before I GOT King's Field: The Ancient City--and then the experience suddenly became charming, challenging and rewarding.
  4. Gamezilla!
    58
    Shape up the way the game flows, its speed, and a better control/attack system, and this might be worth looking at.
  5. PSM Magazine
    50
    The action is so slow and the world so depressingly medieval. [Apr 2002]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. XenGamers
    50
    Gamers willing to stick it out will be rewarded with a lengthy quest and plenty of challenge, but King's Field: The Ancient City is unlikely to create many new converts.
  7. TotalGames.net
    23
    Kings Field – a name that has been emblazoned upon our minds by virtue of its sheer incompetence.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. R-e-n-n-a-t
    Aug 8, 2011
    10
    Pure awesome-ness in game form. Yes, it's slow, and yes, it's frustrating if you die. But these are good things! You're truly afraid to die,Pure awesome-ness in game form. Yes, it's slow, and yes, it's frustrating if you die. But these are good things! You're truly afraid to die, you truly feel like an adventurer exploring cursed lands, and the slower combat allows you to think (which you must do to succeed) to beat your enemies and find the plethora of hidden items and secret places.

    This game is about exploration, about probing an ancient horrific land, and about surviving amidst large hords (impressive unit counts and NO load times, great graphics for the time) of depraved enemies. It has a very Lovecraftian vibe.    … Expand
  2. Thekaboofieman
    Nov 24, 2017
    10
    This is an incredibly good, yet overlooked, series. They have this incredible atmosphere, and feeling of discovery. I would wholeheartedlyThis is an incredibly good, yet overlooked, series. They have this incredible atmosphere, and feeling of discovery. I would wholeheartedly recommend this game. That is, if you can stomach dying fairly often.… Expand
  4. JonathanR.
    Jun 2, 2002
    10
    This game is VERY good. I hope the bad reviews this game receive won't stop the making of another King's Field title.
  5. M3R1D1U5
    Mar 11, 2018
    10
    This is not only the definitive entry in the King's Field IP, it's one of the best games on the entire ps2 catalog. As other reviewers haveThis is not only the definitive entry in the King's Field IP, it's one of the best games on the entire ps2 catalog. As other reviewers have stated, it is indeed a slow game, with a completely and absolutely bleak and depressing atmosphere, akin to that so intensely praised ambiance found in the Souls games (which are, indeed, spiritual successors to King's Field).

    And while it has a strikingly similar design ethos to that of the Souls games, it manages to be its own thing, focusing almost solely in the atmosphere and dungeon exploration (while Souls focus stands on the combat).

    Definitely, not a game for everybody. And MOST DEFINITELY not a 60/100 game.

    King's Field: The Ancient City may be the greatest rpg in the ps2 library, and it's a damn shame that critics and audicence at the time weren't able to understand the genius behind it. An absolute masterpiece and without a doubt a 10/10 in its own niche.    … Expand
  6. Raymond_Nelson
    May 1, 2021
    9
    A underrated gem from From Software! The first person perspective is highly immersive in this hidden gem of a dungeon crawler. The crypticA underrated gem from From Software! The first person perspective is highly immersive in this hidden gem of a dungeon crawler. The cryptic story should delight fans of the Souls series. This game really feels ahead of it's time. The only thing that may hold it back for some players are the somewhat clunky controls. Although once I got used to them they became second nature to me but they are definitely slightly odd compared to todays standards. Other than that it's easily one of the best dungeon crawlers ever made, there are tons of different weapons and armors and magics you can find in the game. So you always have something to look forward to as you progress through the huge labyrinthine world. 9/10… Expand
  7. funtimezone
    Dec 26, 2016
    9
    I find the game to be oddly charming.The games punishing difficulty makes you think of a strategy of each encounter.The environment looksI find the game to be oddly charming.The games punishing difficulty makes you think of a strategy of each encounter.The environment looks beautiful for a early PS2 game but its also very dangerous with common encounters with death traps.The enemy AI is a little hit and miss sometimes the enemy can be on the dumb side but that is really my only complaint.If you are looking for a awesome experience than get Kings Field: The ancient city....If you can find it,It can be very rare.… Expand
  8. frederik1478
    Dec 20, 2022
    5
    The start of this game is f****** scary in when you have no items you have to find armour and weapons, and the enemies can kill you in a fewThe start of this game is f****** scary in when you have no items you have to find armour and weapons, and the enemies can kill you in a few hits.

    but I couldn't get through, which it's weird because I completed eternal ring and I have fun with that one, but this one is just a Step Too Far

    My picking problem with the game is the turning the camera is just way to slow    … Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
21
#21 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002