King's Field

"Dungeon crawling at its old-school finest"

There is something special about Kings Field that has never been replicated in its sequels or successors. This was the first American RPG to be released on the PSOne in 1995...a time when Sony fans the world over clamored desperately for a 32-bit role playing fix that was never satiated until Final Fantasy VII in 1997 (no the 16-bitness of Suikoden and the lesser Beyond the Beyond didn't count). This fact, along with the graphical shock of its engine for its time, along with the fact that Kings Field is a genuinely fantastic RPG in the vein of classics such as the original Phantasy Star and Dungeon Explorer 2; but with its own special flare. I use Phantasy Star and Dungeon Explorer 2 as examples because they offered the same massive dungeon-type exploration with fantastic quality...which is something that few dungeon crawlers actually have. Kings Field is one of the best games on the PSone in 1995, but like most great video games, time has turned this CD into a vessel of digital iconography. A game that can only be appreciated in the context of the gamer's understanding of the genre -- the hardcore -- who are few these days.

Graphics -

King's Field's graphics were once a testement to the possibilities afforded by 32 bit technology. Smooth, polygonal textured mapped environments that flowed without slowdown, clipping or load times. Indeed, King's Field has no apparent load times, as you move from one environment to the next with the naturallest ease. In 2007, it's easy to dismiss this game as a graphical relic. The polygonal world lacks the visual detail we've come to expect from 3D on the PSX and other system's for that matter. While characters and enemies animate fluidly, they also move slowly. But on further inspection and play, you will find KF's world to be wholly full of personality and substance. The medieval atmosphere that pervades this disc is still absolutely absorbing. Levels are intriguing all at the same time frightening. KF certainly looks old, but the quality of its engine still creates an immersive experience. Moving from dungeons, to villages, to insect chasims to towering castles, KF offers more visual variety than a lot of the games of this type on the PS2.

Sound -

KF offers a great soundtrack that is as chilling as its visuals. There is so much substance within the aural compositions that I guaruntee you will be humming its dark orchestrations long after you turn off the game. Another plus are the sharp sound effects of monsters, level traps and your characters screams after he dies. The cunning thrusts of swinging blades and haunting gurgling of enemies get louder as you get closer. Sound plays a crucial role in scouting out levels for hidden dangers. There is no spoken dialogue outside of the opening and closing cinematics, but strangely this adds to KF's frightening allusion to evil. KF is just as cinematically frightening as Resident Evil.

Game Play -

This is where many people will probably be turned off by KF. Though KF offers tons of options in terms of magic, weapons, stats and experience points...it starts off very slow. The hack-n-slash/close-combat game play needs finesse and strategy...as well as patience to progress. While you will start off fighting your way outside of devestatingly large and challenging dungeon, you will later emmerge into abandoned villages where derelict towns-people offer hints, sell merchandise and unfold KF's tale in a realistically first-person fashion. KF's world is totally open-ended, which also makes for a lot of confusion. KF's challenge offers a grandiose sense of urgency. It will compell you to discover all the hidden facets of the environments -- and believe me there are plenty -- while challenging the player to keep their cool. You will need to be patient to play KF, as it will take you many, many months to actually complete the game. To truly enjoy KF's virtues, you need forget about the ending (which is quite disappointing) and focus on emmersing yourself into the exquisitly composed level design and eery medieval landscape.

Overall -

Fans of first-person RPGs would be wise to give KF a shot. While it is technically dated its game play is still rich with substance and nuance. It is a cult classic that deserves credit...for it was the PSones first true RPGs. Its sequel -- while graphically more impressive -- failed to match the "everythingness" on this disc. This is where we seperate the men from the boys.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/20/07