Menu
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom is not a very good example of what the PS3 is capable of (we all probably know this by now), but the game comes across as rushed and lacking. Dark Kingdom is a Hack n' Slash with some RPG elements, such as leveling up. At first glance Dark Kingdom has some really desirable features in a hack n' slash. Nov 13, 2006 For Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom on the PlayStation 3, GameFAQs has 1 FAQ (game guide/walkthrough), 10 reviews, 50 critic reviews, and 1 save game.
Anyone that has played a previous SOE game on PSP or PS2 should know exactly what they are getting themselves into with Untold Legends. Titles before this, such as the Champions of Norrath series on PS2, were relatively mindless hack-n-slashers that allowed for enough customization to keep players interested for a solid amount of time. Players heading into Untold Legends wouldnt be wrong in assuming more of the same on PS3. Instead of the slightly dumbed-down slasher they know and love, they will find an even more mind-numbing and infinitely less interesting affair that will have them cursing SOE for years to come.In fact, I would go so far as to say this game approaches Gauntlet with its elementary gameplay. Just as Gauntlet disappointed us by only allowing players to level their characters up in simplistic and uniform ways, Untold Legends puts players on similar rails and forces them to march to the beat of someone elses drums. Before I stray too far into my This game lacks personality and style rant, Ill fill you cats in on the storyline and basic gameplay. Untold Legends pits players against their former king and his corrupted minions as they fight for to rescue their homeland.
Like previous SOE games before it, the storyline in Untold Legends takes a backseat to the action between cut scenes. Players will rip through throngs of unholy or otherwise demonized soldiers, monsters, and wildlife that get in their way. When you defeat an enemy, they drop orbs of Life, Mana, or Essence, Untolds currency of sorts. Players can use a number of different spells or skills depending on the character they have chosen to either directly damage their enemies or cause various other effects such as increase their own damage to dispatch of enemies quickly.For anyone that looks at my critique and says Its unfair to compare a franchise that began on the PSP that makes the jump to PS3 to a PS2 franchise, I offer this. How much sense does it make to take a genre that you had to dumb down for a handheld and keep it simplified for a next-gen console title? That is exactly what we are dealing with in Dark Kingdom. While I have a limited experience with the previous Untold Legends, I know enough to say with confidence that the developers didnt do enough to the original formula to pass it for a next-gen title.
Everything about your character, from its initial selection to customization and development, is ridiculously simplified.Starting with the pathetic number of different selectable characters, of which there are only three, Dark Kingdom drops the ball on just about everything it could. All players can choose from are the Warrior, the Rogue, and the Wizard. The Barbarian/Wood Elf/Dark Elf/ect. Selection is completely done away with. And what options do you get with your Barbarian, Rogue, or Wizard? Oh, only the ability to change the color of their armor/clothing. There are no options for changing the sex (though it does play into the story a bit with the Rogue).But why such an emphasis on the character choices you ask? Ask any fan of the hack-n-slash games what the main draw to a title such as this is and they will tell you the character advancement and customization nine times out of ten.
It pains me to say that the lack of options for initial character selection isnt the worst part, but in fact the character advancement is instead. Whereas the Norrath characters would use a skill tree ala Diablo 2 to advance, Dark Kingdom relies on a much more restrictive star system. For every level you gain, you can add a star to a skill to increase its strength. Stronger skills for each character open up after a certain character level regardless of what choices you have made prior. That extra depth in character development is dashed and leaves a huge void when playing this game. Items and money are also incredibly elementary, killing the experience further.Ultimately, its how all of this simplification affects the core gameplay, and it certainly doesnt help.
My earlier comparisons of this title to Gauntlet hold true in its gameplay as well. Everything feels very arcade-ish, from the way you recover health and mana to the way you purchase new armor and weapon upgrades.
Players can craft armor from the essence they have picked up at any checkpoint along the way, instead of having to wait for the next town. This may be convenient, but I guarantee players will curse the health drops when they are in a sticky situation and cant get to a checkpoint to recover their health. Potions have been a staple of this studios console titles for years, but they were also dropped for whatever reason. The only thing keeping this game from being a Gauntlet clone is the absence of monster generators.Dark Kingdom has had an uphill battle to fight since it was first shown.
People knew that this game wouldnt really wow them visually, but its hard to imagine that the gameplay that we found in the Norrath series could actually become any simpler. Norrath felt like a simplified Diablo 2, but it was cool because you could still pimp out your character across the three difficulty levels. As a fan of the Norrath series, I hope SOE can salvage this mess for future releases because this simply doesnt cut it, especially on the dawn of the next-gen console race.Features:. Next-Gen HD Graphics: Experience next-gen graphics in true high-definition formats. Watch as the fantasy unfolds through vibrant environments, beautifully rendered characters, highly-detailed creatures, and intense battles filled with engaging combat, magical spells and brilliant special effects.
Engaging Real-time Physics: Unique physics-based game mechanics will give the heroes of Dark Kingdom the ability to tear through environments and defeat enemies in exciting ways. Knock enemies against walls and watch them tumble to the ground. Smash through crates, pillars and rocks to clear a way through the environment. Or grab creatures and use them as living, unwilling weapons. Epic Storyline: Immerse yourself in an intriguing storyline, as you seek to end an evil kings reign of oppression that he has forced upon your fellow citizens all told through in-game dialog and cut sequences. Visceral Action RPG Combat: Take complete control of every battle by using chained melee attacks, or an array of spells and special abilities acquired along your journey.
In-depth Character Progression: Choose from three unique heroes and unlock new spells and abilities as you adventure! Collect and equip unique armor sets, powerful weapons and other special items that will aid your hero on their perilous journey!. Co-op and Internet Modes: Adventure alone or with your friends with a full range of multiplayer support.By Patrick EvansCCC Staff Writer. Thepopular PSP hit gets a next gen face lift.
By Vaughn SmithJuly12, 2006 - Revealedbefore E3, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom was one ofthe first titles announced as a launch game when thePS3 hits North America this November. PSP owners willbe the first to recognize the franchise as two previousinstallments have been released already on Sony'shandheld. Dark Kingdom will be the first console versionof the hack 'n slasher and expectations are high thatthe game will be a tad more fleshed out then its portablebrethren.DarkKingdom's story centers around a corrupt king whouses his trusted guards, known as the Dragon Shade,to put an end to a growing rebellion.
Throughout thecourse of the game secrets are revealed and the teamwill find themselves fighting against the king whosought their services in the first place.TheDragon Shade consists of three members: Scout, Warriorand Mage. Each character will be playable in the singleplayer story, and each will have their own storylineand motivation for bringing down the king. Dark Kingdomwill also support 4-player co-op online throughoutthe entire single player campaign. It hasn't beenrevealed yet what class the 4th player will be. Otheronline modes include the obligatory arena deathmatchmode and CTF and Last Man Standing. No other littletidbits have been revealed.Whilethe visuals which appear to be tightening up witheach new set of screens, the gameplay appears to followthe traditional hack 'n slash formula, and we're cautiouslyoptimistic that Sony will toss in some more meat tothe somewhat shallow gameplay. This remains to beseen however.
No work yet on other online modes orThegame is set for a November launch, although it's possiblethat the game could slip if it's not ready in time.ByVaughn SmithCCCSite Director.
Pre-ordering products for in-store pickup is fast and easy. First, ensure you’re logged in on ebgames.ca, and simply add eligible pre-orders to your shopping cart using the 'Add to Cart' button. In your shopping cart, click on the 'Pre-order online & pickup in-store' button to continue. A $5 deposit is required to ensure your product is reserved for you in-store. Please be aware that regular in-stock merchandise are not eligible for pickup in-store.
You’ll need to select an EB Games store where you’ll pickup your order. You can do this by using the map feature at the checkout and searching by city, store address, or postal code. Once your order is placed, you cannot change your selected store. You will receive an order confirmation by email and a call from the store once your product arrives. At that time, you’ll be required to pay the balance of your order at the store.
If you would like to cancel your pre-order, please visit the store that you directed the order to. An associate will be more than glad to assist you with the refund.
Please note that your order details will not be visible to the associates at your pick-up location immediately. Details will be sent within 24 hours of placing your order.
You’ll need to select an EB Games store where you’ll pickup your order. You can do this by using the map feature at the checkout and searching by city, store address, or postal code. Once your order is placed, you cannot change your selected store. You will receive an order confirmation by email and a call from the store once your product arrives. At that time, you’ll be required to pay the balance of your order at the store.
If you would like to cancel your pre-order, please visit the store that you directed the order to. An associate will be more than glad to assist you with the refund.
Please note that your order details will not be visible to the associates at your pick-up location immediately. Details will be sent within 24 hours of placing your order.