Alright, GamerFan, ready to dive into Defender of the Crown? 1989 has been such a spectacular year for gaming. I can barely keep up with all these releases.

Absolutely! I’m eager to see how this one holds up. The mix of strategy and action elements sounds unique. Plus, Robin Hood! Who can resist that classic allure?

Indeed! The game drops you right into medieval England, where you play as one of four Saxon knights. Your mission is nothing short of reclaiming the crown and uniting England. It’s packed with historical tension and political drama. I appreciate that.

I love how it starts with Robin of Locksley himself introducing the story. Adds a nice touch of lore. But wow, starting with just a castle and 10 soldiers? That’s a far cry from Hyrule’s expansive dungeons or the vast interstellar settings of Metroid.

True, but it sets up the strategy aspect well. You can’t just rush in; you have to build your army and strategically conquer territories. It’s definitely different from your typical action or RPG. By the way, have you heard? The team behind this game, Cinemaware, is really pushing the envelope. They originally made this game for home computers, and now they’re expanding to consoles like the NES.

It shows. Those cutscenes are quite impressive, given the limitations of the NES. You can see their background in computer graphics shine through.

Rosalind

The events and options are where the game stands out for me. Engaging in jousting contests or raiding a castle adds variety. Speaking of which, tip number one: always participate in the jousts. Winning can grant you fame or land, giving you a critical advantage.

That’s a great tip! I’ve noticed the controls during the jousting are pretty straightforward, but timing and angle are crucial. Remember, keep your lance steady to knock off your opponent. It’s quite satisfying when you get it right.

Definitely. The raids are trickier but rewarding; you can gain loot or even rescue a princess, which often leads to joining territories. Tip number two: When raiding, balance between offense and defense. Going all-out offensively might leave you vulnerable.

Good point. And recruiting more soldiers every chance you get is key. It’s easy to get outnumbered if you don’t keep building your forces. The strategy layer runs deep.

Now that we’re approaching the endgame, it’s getting intense. Spoiler warning, facing off against the last Norman lord is challenging. They don’t go down easily, and their territories are heavily fortified.

Oh, facing that final challenge was exhilarating! The game builds up to this climactic showdown. And the fact that you sometimes have to fight fellow Saxons adds this twist of potential betrayal.

Absolutely. And the real thrill is when you finally reclaim the crown. There’s something genuinely satisfying about uniting all of England under your banner. It’s been a fun and strategic ride.

While there are some rough spots—like the sometimes clunky controls during castle raids and the occasional difficulty spike—the overall experience captures the medieval atmosphere well.

character select

I agree. It’s not perfect, but Defender of the Crown offers a unique mix of strategy and action that stands out in 1989’s gaming landscape. And with Cinemaware’s constant innovation, I’m excited to see what they come up with next. Here’s to many more epic gaming sessions.

Hear, hear! Let’s get back to conquering more virtual realms. Who knows what other treasures we might find? And by the way, I heard Nintendo Power is offering some great tips for the game next month.

Fantastic! We’ll definitely keep an eye out. Onward, to more gaming adventures!

more info and data provided by mobyGames.com

You can also read the Villain View of Defender of the Crown here!