Is Knights Contract a Pure Fail or Can the Storyline Save It?
While Knights Contract was just recently released on February 22nd, 2011, it has already received some viciously mixed reviews. How is it that the gamer population can be so torn on a game rich in sorcery, witchcraft and otherworldly monsters? Grant it, Knights Contract has its share of flaws (some very large) but come on, at least it’s original! Okay, so maybe the fact that all your character wants to do is die and all your partner wants to do is survive, does get a little old after awhile but there are still some strong points.
Storyline
The highlight of Knights Contract is the storyline, especially since there is one, which is more than you’ll find in other games that leave you feeling vacant. Heinrich, your character, is an immortal executioner who simply wants to die. He is paired up with Gretchen, a resurrected witch who cursed Heinrich before he killed her. Heinrich is invincible however, he can’t never leave Gretchen’s side who has a way of jumping directly in front of enemies, because she’ll be killed.
Sometimes Heinrich uses his scythe to destroy while other times, Gretchen uses her magic so they can murder mass amounts of witches who have come back from the grave. Heinrich is under the control of Dr. Faust and now him and Gretchen must work as a team to clear the land of evil supernatural beings.
Gameplay
Here is where the issues arise with Knights Contract. While it is a great concept with tons of visits from the after-world and spells, you only get to control Heinrich which is beyond exhausting because although he can get ripped apart from limb from limb, he won’t die. This means you then also have the pleasure of waiting patiently for Gretchen to be slaughtered so you can start over.
Gretchen has no survival skills so she’ll run into combat with barely any health and you may get her out of harm’s way and somewhere safe so you can actually enjoy your gruesome battle but then, here she comes again! It is hard to really release your wrath because you are constantly interrupted. Not to mention, the extent of your gameplay depends on Gretchen’s health so you can’t imagine how frustrating it is to know you are one blow from winning a war when your partner gets killed off scene and then you have to begin again.
The biggest issue with Knights Contract is the ridiculous number of cut-scenes and loading scenes you are subjected to. Seriously, a 10 second load sequence just to watch a 3 second cut-scene? What is that about? Some are completely pointless too!
Controls are decent. Heinrich has some cool block moves and he can grab, duck and roll and it is also nice that the game does require a bit of strategy on your part rather than just doing a lot of button mashing. Lastly, the map definitely could have been tweaked a bit. Knights Contract does leave you a little lost sometimes but when you pause to look at the map, it’s far too basic to even be of any use.
Graphics
The clarity and texture may not be up to par compared to other games but the appearance and detail of the bosses and monsters definitely makes up for it. What these characters cannot make up for though is the pixelated, muddy look you are forced to play through in some areas. Many of the levels are so plain and uninteresting, they leave the game looking unfinished. Still, some of the spells are great to watch and may keep you entertained enough to keep playing.
Conclusion
The thing that will really keep you playing Knights Contract till the end is the fact that you will become so invested in Heinrich and will have spent so much time saving Gretchen, you are almost obligated to see it through to the end. Not to mention, the witchcraft does add a little depth to the game. However, will you swear and probably have a few episodes where you regret spending money on the game? Absolutely! Knights Contract is definitely not one you will play through a second time.
5 / 10