If you’re a neurodivergent gamer like me, you love the competition of first-person shooters but sometimes the loud explosions and chaotic battlefield can be a little overstimulating. I was thinking one day: “I wish there was a game where I could go medieval on some ass with a sword and shield”. Lo and behold, I run across a video of some Knight hacking away at another Knight, which led me to this little gem called “Chivalry II” by Torn Banner Studios. I am happy to say, this game is exactly what I was looking for! It’s a first person “shooter” but officially it’s listed as a “hack and slash” that takes place during medieval times. Players on two opposing teams go at each other in hand-to-hand combat. The only range weapons available are throwing axes, knives, bows, javelins, and crossbows.
Hack & Slash vs. Strategy
One of the reasons why I don’t consider Chivalry II a traditional “hack and slash” is because I think it takes a bit of skill to play the game effectively. Unlike “hack and slashes” like God of war, for instance, mashing buttons can get you just as far as well executed skill moves. I found that wildly swinging at opponents in Chivalry II is a good way to get yourself dead. Players have three types of attacks in Chivalry II: the slash, overhead slash, and stab. These attacks can be chained together to make combos or can be charged to make a heavy attack. All weapons have a “special attack” that can deliver a lethal blow if not blocked or knock back a blocking opponent. The more the player understands the distance range and weapon damage of the weapon of their choice has, plus their own Stamina, the better they are in combat. That’s only half the battle as the players also have to understand the weapon of their opponent and the best way to go about winning that particular duel, all while the chaos of the battlefield is unfolding all around.
What I like about Chivalry II is that it really seems like a fair fight between players, for the most part. Unlike the feeling I get when I play games like CoD. There’s nothing less satisfying than climbing and stealthily making your way to a good spot just to get sniped from a mile away or get a lucky frag tossed in your lap. The game is cross platform and I have witnessed some players using cheats and exploits; however, the majority of the game base seems to be playing on a fair level. After a recent update, the server automatically balances teams so that both sides have equal amounts of veteran and skilled players. The game also has a pretty handy built-in player reporting method to help keep the player base honest and free of cheating and harassment.
What are the different game modes in Chivalry II?
When playing chivalry II there are a few game options to go into, my favorite of them being a 64-person mode with teams of 32 versus 32. There is also a 40-player map, a practice server, and private server modes available. Occasionally special modes like “brawl” a free for all no weapons match or “peasant uprising” where players all play as peasants also with no weapons gets released from time to time. So far, I can make rhyme or reason as to when special events come and go in game. It’s often enough to keep the gameplay lively and the player base satisfied. Bigger updates are known as “Campaigns” and usually have several stages of unlocks. Some of the unlocks are available by leveling while others need to be unlocked by purchasing some of the premium content for Gold.
The in game real world currency is simple to know. As gold and is pretty modestly priced. I’ve only felt compelled to buy gold once for “the gladiator” content and bought it during one of the many in game sales Chivalry II has, I really wanted that character voice. More on that in a bit.
What are the game maps like in Chivalry II?
Chivalry II maps are large and sprawl out over dynamic locations like a medieval village, castle, or city. There’s even a free for all team Deathmatch that takes place in a Gladiator arena. This is one of my favorites as the NPC crowd cheers louder and louder as more players die and they “go crazy” when players make a gruesome kill or activate a trap. This map is a special event map and isn’t always available. maps in Chivalry II are full of items that can be picked up and used as weapons. Some maps have area of effect traps that, if timed correctly, can take out multiple enemies. Players need to be careful, however, as team damage is always on and players can accidentally kill one of their own players. Excessive team damage can get a player kicked out of a game automatically or by a player vote.
During the regular type matches, one side is the invading force while the other side defends. The invading force has to control certain checkpoints of the map in order to keep the game timer refreshing. If the defending side is able to hold off the attackers and allow the timer to run out, they will win the map. If the invaders are able to push the defenders to the final checkpoint and accomplish the final goal, then they will win the map. The final goal for every map varies. For instance, in the “Siege of Dark-Forest” map, the invading forces need to push past a barricade, then break down the city gate, then move onto an open battlefield to breach the main castle gate. Once inside the castle, the invading team has to “kill the Duke”. “The Duke” is the best player with the overall score of the match, that is automatically picked to be the Duke. The defending team has to defend the Dukes life Until time runs out or the invading team will win. Sometimes the final goal is blowing up of pile of ammunition or throwing nobles out of windows to their deaths, A particular humorous end game in my opinion.
Adding Insult to injury (Shouts)
One of the more entertaining nuances of chivalry II is the built in shouting. Your character has a button dedicated to just shouting insults or screaming as you run into battle and you’re encouraged to do so. There’s isn’t any advantage to shouting aside of comic relief. I really enjoy the voice over work for the player characters. They are often comical, funny, and triggered automatically by certain events. For instance, one of my favorites is when you lose your hand in combat, the character can say one of several lines like: “it’s only a flesh wound “or It’s just a scratch” which are straight from the comic masterpiece that is ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’.
There are some DLCs available that helps expand the voice catalog. One of my favorite DLC is “the gladiator” DLC. Not only do players get some cool weapons and armor skins but the best part is that character voice. It has one of my favorite lines in the game that is triggered with an insult. “I’m a Dragon… Dragon deez nuts over your face!“ classic and worth the $3.99.
One thing that Chivalry II does have plenty of is customization. The player can customize all 4 classes, each of which has 3 sub classes. They are the archer, the knight, the footman, and Vanguard. With so many options players can create a unique fighter that is easily recognizable on the battlefield, For good or bad. Armor and weapon skins are just cosmetic and can be unlocked by leveling in “Campaigns” or purchasing with Tokens or Gold, the in game real world monetary system in Chivalry II.
What can players customize in Chivalry II?
- Head
- Helmet
- Armor set
- Heraldry
- Weapons
What are the main classes and weapons that are used in Chivalry II?
Archer
- Bow
- Crossbow
- WarBow
- Siege crossBow
- Javelin
Vanguard
- Battle axe
- War club
- Executioners axe
- Greatsword
- Maul
- Highland sword
- Dane axe
- Messer
- 2H hammer
- Gliave
- Knife
- Dagger
- Shortsword
- Katar
- Hatchet
- Cudgel
Footman
- Halberd
- Pole hammer
- Spear
- Glaive
- Sledgehammer
- Shovel.
- Pickax
Knight
- Longsword
- War Axe
- Heavy mace
- Pole ax
- Great sword
- Messer
- Battle ax
- Two handed hammer.
- Executioners ax.
- Quarterstaff
I prefer to play as a Vanguard with a shortsword and throwing daggers. I like to run in and out of battle and strike from the sides. I also enjoy using a heavy mace. Although it’s slow to swing, it can take out multiple players at once.
Chivalry II is one of those AAA games that continues to push updates to both gameplay and content that has me coming back regularly. There’s never a lack of players and most games fill up to capacity. I highly recommend Chivalry II for anyone who is looking for a different “first person shooter” game type experience and enjoys good old fashioned sword play!
