I love King's Field. This year I finally finished all the mainline King's Field games... KF1, KF2, KF3, and KF4. I even finished KF3: Pilot Style. In addition I beat Shadow Tower 1 & 2, and even completed Eternal Ring. As far as I know, I've beaten every first person console dungeon crawler FromSoftware has made. It took a few years yeah, but was a good time. Has anyone else around here beaten all these games as well?
Dude, I wish. Now, did you beat the PC remake of KF1? There's also fan mods for the thing as well.
So after all this time, was it worth it? Any impressions?
I beat the original PS1 version of King's Field, using this translation patch:Dude, I wish. Now, did you beat the PC remake of KF1? There's also fan mods for the thing as well.
So after all this time, was it worth it? Any impressions?
What makes KF3 better than KF2 in your opinion? From what I've played of KF3 so far I'd never rank it above KF2 (or even KFJ).If I were to rank them from most favorite to less favorite:
King's Field IV
King's Field III
Shadow Tower Abyss
King's Field
Shadow Tower
King's Field II
Eternal Ring
You're in luck as the next games in the series are much improved. There's also a very nice surprise in KF3 for those who have played the original.Now, I really look forward to play the next game in the series.
A few things...What makes KF3 better than KF2 in your opinion?
Thanks. TBH I got used to the claustrofobia in KFJ and KF2 so much, the expansive areas felt jarring at first.A few things...What makes KF3 better than KF2 in your opinion?
The difficulty level has risen in KF3 vs KF2. Puzzles are more complex, and enemy AI is better, and late game baddies pack more of a punch in KF3. The amount of ground to cover is considerably larger in KF3 as well, so not getting lost takes more skill. There are areas in KF3 specifically designed to be highly challenging such as The Path of Poison and the infamous Passage of Death.
KF3 is more expansive in scope, you're not just stuck on an island like in KF2. This means there's way more variety to locales, and the way recursive exploration works is more intuitive.
Graphics improved over KF2, giving KF3 an edge with its atmosphere and immersion.
There are far more NPCs to converse with in KF3, allowing for a more involved and detailed plot.
There's considerably more gear/items to collect in KF3, which provides the means for deeper strategy in approaching combat.
I could think of more comparisons if I went back and played the games side by side. It's not that I think KF2 is bad, it's still excellent. But I think KF3 is a bit underrated even by series fans.
Yes, I spent some time with it a few years ago. While I appreciated the autumn aesthetics, the actual game design was not good. Evergrace is one of the few From Software games I just couldn't get into it. There's a decent concept there, but Evergrace was really cut short due to a very rushed development schedule. Even worse than Eternal Ring was.BTW, have you played Evergrace?
I actually enjoyed Evergrace despite its flaws. While the combat feels as if they took their usual KF formula and slapped the equipment system and third person perspective on top of it, it had its moments. I've heard the sequel (Forever Kingdom) improved the idea, but I couldn't check it -- the game is just too demanding for my current hardware. As for Eternal Ring, it's funny that the same engine was re-used in Sword of Moonlight and a lot of assets got pulled there too. Kinda breaks the original KFJ vibe for me, but it spawned kinda interesting fan games I'm willing to try sooner or later.Yes, I spent some time with it a few years ago. While I appreciated the autumn aesthetics, the actual game design was not good. Evergrace is one of the few From Software games I just couldn't get into it. There's a decent concept there, but Evergrace was really cut short due to a very rushed development schedule. Even worse than Eternal Ring was.BTW, have you played Evergrace?
Even if you don't go back to KF3, be absolutely sure you play through KF4. KF4 is the best KF, and one of the very best video games I've ever played.
KF1 is a lot of fun, and has killer music. I wrote a big review for it a few years ago: https://ardentexhuminator.blogspot.com/2014/09/kings-field-japan-review.html <-I'd rather link that than regurgitate the same thoughts.So I recently picked up King's Field 2(English 1) thinking about starting through this series. Assume there's not much reason to go back to the japan only KF1 unless I fall in love with the games?
It's nothing special compared to the later games, and it's certainly more primitive. However, it's a lot shorter and I'm very glad that I did start with it - if only because of the surprise in KF3 which is lost on those who haven't played the original.So I recently picked up King's Field 2(English 1) thinking about starting through this series. Assume there's not much reason to go back to the japan only KF1 unless I fall in love with the games?
Check this to see if you're still interested in playing King's Field 1 after seeing how badly it aged:
Silent Hill 2 was released in 2001 on the PS2, though. Its graphics might be dated today, but they aren't comparable to the early PS1 graphics of the King's Field trilogy.I actually like the PS1 graphics and consider them a feature. There's something otherworldly about those crappy 3D graphics that works in favor of the atmosphere of these games. Same thing goes for Silent Hill 1 & 2.
I've played and beaten KF2 and 3. How does KF4's story tie into the other games? Any references to Lyle, Ichrius, Seath, Guyra, Vallad?Even if you don't go back to KF3, be absolutely sure you play through KF4. KF4 is the best KF, and one of the very best video games I've ever played.
I personally didn't notice any direct references, but there are theories:How does KF4's story tie into the other games? Any references to Lyle, Ichrius, Seath, Guyra, Vallad?
Silent Hill 2 was released in 2001 on the PS2, though. Its graphics might be dated today, but they aren't comparable to the early PS1 graphics of the King's Field trilogy.I actually like the PS1 graphics and consider them a feature. There's something otherworldly about those crappy 3D graphics that works in favor of the atmosphere of these games. Same thing goes for Silent Hill 1 & 2.
The Moonlight Sword is of course still obtainable in KF4. It's basically the mascot of KF/Souls.
I've played and beaten KF2 and 3. How does KF4's story tie into the other games? Any references to Lyle, Ichrius, Seath, Guyra, Vallad?Even if you don't go back to KF3, be absolutely sure you play through KF4. KF4 is the best KF, and one of the very best video games I've ever played.