Welcome to the unique world of Krzyżacy – The Knights of the Cross, where pixel-art medieval Poland meets the captivating allure of anime girls and the strategic gameplay of a deckbuilding RPG. This game is an intriguing amalgamation of various influences, blending a story-driven narrative with roguelite elements and a sprinkle of unnecessary titillation through its scantily-clad female characters.
While it may be an unconventional combination, it undeniably piques one's interest. However, the question remains: does Krzyżacy do justice to Polish history or does it shamefully exploit it, leaving players yearning for redemption? With armor donned and sword in hand, it's time to confront the formidable Teutonic Knights and find out for ourselves.
Mastering the Deck: Strategic Gameplay in Krzyżacy
Krzyżacy – The Knights of the Cross is a game that combines elements of RPG and deckbuilding genres. As a player, you begin by setting up your deck of cards, with a minimum requirement of 20 cards. However, as you progress in the game, you have the option to reduce this number to 10. The cards in your deck are categorized into attacks, magic, and defense, along with special cards that have one-off uses. These cards play a crucial role in battles, where strategic decision-making is key. With its unique blend of gameplay mechanics, Krzyżacy offers an immersive and engaging experience for players.
In the realm of combat, the success of your party relies heavily on the cards you are dealt. With up to four characters at your disposal, the randomness of your hand adds an element of unpredictability to every battle. Strategy becomes paramount in determining the outcome, as playing your cards right and comprehending the dynamics of your deck significantly enhance your chances of emerging victorious. While the mechanics of this system may not be groundbreaking, it remains effective in its execution. The selection of cards, while adhering to the conventions of a fantasy universe, still manages to evoke a sense of satisfaction when executing flawless sequences of attacks and defenses.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the combat system in this game is the unique way in which your companions operate. Unlike other RPG games, you do not have direct control over them. Instead, each companion character possesses a set of three skills that are triggered based on the cards you play. For instance, if you play a magic and attack card, your archer companion might only inflict minor damage.
However, if you strategically play two magic and three attack cards in a single turn, you can activate their special ability, resulting in a devastating attack that targets two enemies at once. This dynamic and strategic approach to utilizing your companions adds an exciting layer of depth to the combat system, making it even more engaging and enjoyable for players.
The mechanic of triggering abilities automatically, given the necessary number of cards played, adds a distinct and captivating element to gameplay. It introduces a sense of urgency and strategic decision-making as players navigate through different scenarios. For instance, in order to save the life of a fellow squad member, you might rely on your healer's ability, but find yourself lacking the specific type of card required to advance them to the next tier.
On the other hand, there are situations where sacrificing an additional attack becomes a deliberate choice to avoid triggering the next tier, resulting in a intriguing game of risk and reward. This mechanic truly immerses players in a dynamic and engaging experience of deciding whether to stick with their current abilities or twist to unlock new ones.
The mechanic being referred to here may not be groundbreaking or exceptional in terms of enhancing the core gameplay, but it undeniably presents an intriguing concept. It provokes curiosity about the potential for future sequels or other games to build upon it and deliver a more refined experience. While it may fall short of being transformative in its current state, the idea holds promise and leaves room for improvement and innovation. It is exciting to imagine how developers could take this concept and push its boundaries, ultimately creating more captivating and immersive gaming experiences in the future.
Playing a card game is not just about the core mechanics, but also about keeping track of the smaller factors that can greatly impact the outcome. Factors such as bleed, poison, and flame damage can slowly chip away at your health, while buffs, heals, and stats like strength and defense can determine the outcome of battles. It's important to constantly account for these variables if you want to emerge from the game unscathed. Surprisingly, it is quite challenging to successfully navigate through all these elements and come out on top.
Playing Krzyżacy – The Knights of the Cross on normal difficulty can be quite challenging. It feels like going into a joust with inadequate equipment, as if my lance is made of plastic and my armor is nothing more than cardboard. The game becomes even more difficult during higher star rating encounters and boss battles, often feeling brutal and almost unfair. It requires a great deal of skill and strategy to overcome these challenges and emerge victorious.
I vividly recall one particular battle that tested my patience and strategy to the limits. The enemy possessed an extraordinary ability to bolster their armor with each passing turn, rendering my conventional attacks useless. It felt like a never-ending cycle, as their armor grew exponentially each time. In my desperation, I resorted to relying on the slow but steady efficacy of inflicting bleeding damage. This arduous battle stretched on for over 90 grueling turns, consuming more than an hour of my time.
The sheer frustration and lack of enjoyment became palpable. To exacerbate matters, the limited availability of healing resources in the normal difficulty mode further compounded my predicament. By the time I eventually emerged victorious from this seemingly insurmountable ordeal, my party had been completely drained of any available healing options. This bitter realization marked the end of my campaign, leaving me in a state of exhaustion and disappointment.
After completing quests and taking breaks in between, players will be rewarded with XP to level up their party and currency to spend. The camp serves as a hub where players can recruit new companions, heal their team, shop for new cards, and equip relics that enhance their combat abilities. However, the camp's simplicity and limited options become apparent, especially with the shop's exorbitant prices. Furthermore, players will also experience conflicting visuals, which is one of the distinctive features of Krzyżacy – The Knights of the Cross.
Pixel Art Charm and Jarring Objectification in Krzyżacy
The pixel-art style of Knights of the Cross is undeniably charming. Each character in the game has a distinct design that adds a touch of uniqueness to the overall experience. The combat animations are especially thrilling, filled with a sense of excitement and delivered with a certain flair. As you journey through the different lands of Poland, you'll find yourself engaged in battles against a variety of foes, ranging from knights to rodents, bulls to bandits. Even as someone who doesn't usually appreciate retro art styles, I was pleasantly surprised by the visual appeal and attention to detail in Knights of the Cross.
As I eagerly trundled into camp, ready to recruit a new companion, my excitement was quickly overshadowed by a disturbing sight. The game seemed to have lost all sense of appropriateness as it bombarded me with gratuitously sexualized character models. The once charming pixel-art visuals were now crushed beneath the weight of female characters whose exaggerated bosoms and barely-there garments left little to the imagination. It was a jarring contrast, a stark reminder that even within the realm of fantasy, objectification and unnecessary sexualization still managed to rear their ugly heads.
The choice to have a protagonist who is the object of affection for every female companion in the game is a strange and conflicting one. It stands out in a jarring manner, as it does not align well with the rest of the game's visuals and themes. This choice undermines the storytelling aspect of the game, as it becomes difficult to take the relationships and character development seriously when every female character is automatically in love with the protagonist. While this may work in a game like Senran x Kagura where it is the central focus, it does not feel appropriate in this context.
I must admit that the game ran smoothly on my system without any technical issues, which is always a pleasant surprise. However, I did notice that some of the environments started to repeat when I decided to delve into the side quests. It is important to mention that most of these side quests, although seemingly interesting, are ultimately fairly pointless and only serve to drain your health pool, which can be frustrating.
Storytelling in The Knights of the Cross
In the epic tale of Krzyżacy – The Knights of the Cross, there exists a significant narrative contradiction concerning the story and the utilization of companions. The protagonist, a humble peasant who is transformed into a valiant knight, is enlisted to combat the treacherous Teutonic Knights. Throughout the game, players embark on a journey across 15th century Poland, assuming the role of the knight and undertaking the noble task of safeguarding a princess and engaging in fierce battles for the glory of their homeland. This contradictory narrative element adds depth and complexity to the game, as players must navigate the intricacies of their newfound knightly status while fulfilling their duties as a protector and warrior.
In the majority of side quests and occasional pivotal moments in the main story, players frequently encounter a choice between option A or option B, which can have important ramifications. The options presented to them are typically designed to elicit a moral dilemma, with one choice being the obvious “good” option to raise their reputation with a character, while the other is a response that no one would choose in good faith. These choices are not made lightly, as they have the power to determine which story companions will choose to stay with or leave the player's party. This deliberate design aims to add depth and weight to the decision-making process, making players consider the potential repercussions of their actions.
The issue at hand lies in the overly simplistic and predictable nature of the decisions made within the story. These choices are presented as either black or white, leaving little room for nuance or complexity. Consequently, the consequences and outcomes of these decisions become painfully evident, diminishing any sense of surprise or intrigue. Additionally, I struggle to fully invest in the supposed “marriage” between my protagonist and a princess when it is surrounded by an excessive amount of adoration from every other character in the realm.
This constant fawning over the protagonist undermines the seriousness and authenticity of their relationship, making it difficult for me to take their connection seriously. The overall tone of the narrative feels somewhat slapstick, lacking the depth and substance necessary to create a truly compelling story. While there may be a few moments that are somewhat tolerable, they fail to coalesce into something truly captivating.
I couldn't help but notice the rapid turnover of story companions, which made it difficult for me to form a lasting attachment to them. Instead, I found myself relying on the generic recruited companions who were always available. Despite this fleeting connection, it did add an interesting gameplay element. I had to constantly switch and adapt my crew to ensure they were in top form for upcoming encounters. It was a constant cycle of change, with its ups and downs, but ultimately it added depth to the game experience.
Throughout the various chapters of the game, I wouldn't go as far as to say that I disliked the story. However, I did find it lacking for an RPG and felt that it left something to be desired in terms of its contrasting messages. What further hindered my immersion in the game was the presence of typos in the dialogue, and in some instances, entire lines were replaced with the phrase “[translation missing].” These issues detracted from the overall experience and made it difficult to fully engage with the narrative.
Verdict
Krzyżacy – The Knights of the Cross offers a fresh take on the deckbuilding genre, which I found to be quite enjoyable and appreciated. The game introduces new dynamics and strategies that add depth and excitement to the gameplay. However, despite this innovation, the overall execution of the game falls short. The other aspects of Krzyżacy, such as the plot, character development, and overall game design, lack the same level of creativity and quality. It feels as though the game is trying too hard to impress, but ends up losing its own integrity in the process. Like an overburdened knight swinging a heavy greatsword, it may hit its mark, but at the expense of its own dignity.
I was pleasantly surprised by the art style of this game, and I found myself becoming more and more invested in it as I spent several hours playing. If you enjoy challenging RPGs or deckbuilders, I would highly recommend giving it a try. Admittedly, the game has some clumsy and flawed aspects to its execution, but it still manages to captivate certain players. For those who appreciate a high breast to sword ratio, this game might hold a special appeal. Ultimately, though, it's not for me to judge others' preferences.
The game's skill ceiling is undeniably high, making for a challenging and punishing experience even on the regular difficulty setting. In fact, the developers have even included a harder difficulty that players can unlock upon completing the game. However, the most daunting task I faced was attempting to pronounce the game's name without completely mangling it. But don't let that deter you, because once you get past the tongue-twister of a title, you'll find an immersive world filled with thrilling swordplay and intense skirmishes. And if that's not enough, the game also offers a generous dose of eye-catching characters, for those who are into that sort of thing.
