Knights Contract

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 37
  3. Negative: 14 out of 37
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  1. GameFocus
    Mar 4, 2011
    48
    Hack n' Slash games are abundant and I wouldn't have any problems with Knights Contract if Game Republic took the time to design something clever and entertaining.
  2. PALGN
    Aug 21, 2011
    45
    An interesting, plague-filled Middle Ages premise and decent combat are let down by some poor presentation and seriously questionable AI issues.
  3. Gaming Age
    Mar 10, 2011
    42
    The problem stems from the fact that you can be knocked off of the platform, and if that happens it's instant death, which means restarting the entire boss fight.
  5. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 6, 2011
    40
    We expected another Devil May Cry but we've got a weak Dynasty Warriors clone. It is still a challenge due to its complexity but there is no fun once you accept it. [Mar 2011]
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  6. Eurogamer Portugal
    Mar 29, 2011
    40
    Compared with other games of this genre, it's light years away.
  7. GamerNode
    Mar 16, 2011
    40
    Knights Contract can be enjoyable at times, but once players get into the thick of play, the questionable AI, level design, combat mechanics, and even visuals will make it more difficult to feel comfortable with.
  8. Gameblog.fr
    Mar 9, 2011
    40
    Knights Contract seems to have strong qualities... at first. A sexy witch with interesting powers, which is ultimately too limited ; a super strong knight, which is uninspired in his fighting style; an atypical universe, which is finally overwhelmed... and the complementarity gameplay couldn't save this duo. They are not made for each other, as this title is repetitive and dated in many ways. Do not sign this contract!
  9. Video Game Talk
    Mar 6, 2011
    40
    Namco Bandai has failed to created anything that's actually enjoyable in Knight's Contract, likely due to poor QA and so many design revisions that the original concept of the game has mangled beyond all belief during the development process. It's absolutely frustrating to play through and ultimately joyless.
  10. PlayStation Universe
    Mar 3, 2011
    40
    Knights Contract is essentially one, giant escort mission plagued by a myriad of gripes including horrendous AI. and repetitive combat. Despite its interesting concept, there is not enough on offer to salvage the game from the sheer magnitude of problems encountered throughout.
  11. IGN
    Feb 25, 2011
    35
    A miserable game that I hope you do not have the misfortune to play.
  12. PlayStation LifeStyle
    May 16, 2011
    30
    Far more tedium than fun, flat out.
  13. Gamereactor Denmark
    Mar 29, 2011
    30
    Escort missions are rarely any good, but for some reason Namco Bandai has decided to release a game based just on that. The occasionally decent combat action is nowhere near enough to make up for the otherwise tedious gameplay, horrendous dialogue, awkward QTEs, ugly graphics and prolonged yet mind-numbingly boring cut scenes. Avoid at all costs.
  14. GameShark
    Mar 17, 2011
    25
    For the most part, Knights Contract is a monumental disappointment mainly because there are occasional glimpses at the fact that it could have been so much better. The frustrating combat, dull graphics, uneven acting, and insipid A.I. make it ultimately impossible to recommend even as a rental.
  15. TheSixthAxis
    Mar 11, 2011
    20
    With such a diabolical amalgamation of defunct mechanics and monotonous mission design, it will take half an hour tops to tire of Knight's Contract and shelve it for good.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
  1. DaneSaga
    Mar 8, 2011
    6
    First off if you have played and enjoyed the best Action titles available such as Bayonetta, the Devil May Cry series and Ninja Gaiden seriesFirst off if you have played and enjoyed the best Action titles available such as Bayonetta, the Devil May Cry series and Ninja Gaiden series then you should definitely lower your expectations, as Knights Contract is of a completely different calibre to those games. Knights Contract is mostly a linear adventure with past chapters opening once completed to go back to at any time for collecting items. Combat, while not containing a tremendous amount of depth is extremely fun when combining both Heinrich's melee and Gretchen's magic attacks together. This is one area of Knights Contract where I am confident most will find their satisfaction. Also the story was decent if sometimes a little predictable early on, but it does get better as the game progresses. Bosses are large and are indeed a sight to behold. The fights themselves are almost on the God of War scale but probably not as well executed. There are some very frustrating moments in Knights Contract which detract from the overall experience, such as Gretchen's often suicidal A.I (she just seems to love standing in lava!), Quick Time Events that require near super human timing and the numerous cheap deaths during boss fights that would make even the calmest of gamers irritate. Graphically the game is of a pretty low standard. Enemies and Bosses are nicely designed with plenty of detail but the games surroundings have an overall lack of polish to them and could quite possibly pass for a 360 launch title. Sometimes background textures even take up to 10-15 seconds to load is some areas. Faults aside Knights Contract was an enjoyable experience for the most part. It may not be a top tier action title, but Knights Contract is worthy of at the very least a rental to fans of action games. If you do plan on buying it then I recommend waiting for the inevitable price drop, as flaws in games are easily forgotten when you get them at bargain prices.… Full Review »
  2. R6ex
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Love it! The witchcraft lore is well-represented in this game. Lots of badass girls and monsters. Simple story, but interesting characters.
  3. SpagSausage
    May 13, 2011
    5
    Ever had that nightmare? You know, the one where you're trapped in an endless escort mission with a suicidal blonde who insists on beingEver had that nightmare? You know, the one where you're trapped in an endless escort mission with a suicidal blonde who insists on being carried everywhere? No, wait, that's not a nightmare - that's this hack-and-slash buddy movie with witch-in-distress Gretchen. She does the magic, and you (witch killer-turned-protector Heinrich) do the slaying with a giant scythe. Heinrich is immortal, so your 'life' is actually Gretchen's, forcing you to protect her in battle as she goes on her mission to free the souls of spell casters. The basic premise grates a little. She's an all-powerful witch who can summon a giant guillotine to decapitate demons - but she still needs a big man to carry her about and open jars and stuff? Excuse me while I apply this lighter fluid to my boxers. That said, it's the slightly wonky gameplay that actually lets Knights Contract down. For one thing, the big burly hero isn't all that in combat. While Heinrich is immortal, he's also quite prone to falling down like an old lady on an icy pavement. There he's reduced to prodding things with his scythe until you hit X 30-40 times (yes, I counted) to get him back up. Or until he explodes into bits. Either way, there's X prodding. And while the design of enemies is actually pretty cool - weird wolves, witches with hollowed out rib cages, giant demons with gazillions of teeth - you start seeing the old familiar faces again and again, like some sort of horrific Groundhog Day. Also, for a game that's basically just one long frenzy, it's weirdly easy to end up following the wrong passageway until you loop back on yourself, especially in the snowy case level. (Wait, that endless expanse of white definitely looks familiar...) There are shades of Bayonetta in Gretchen's many spells - icy spikes that thrust from the floor, traps that grab and hold your enemy's limb so you can take a few cowardly swipes - and some enjoyable combo-filled fights to be had, but overall this is just another half-hearted adventure to leave on the shelf. Then buy Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow instead.… Full Review »
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