"A Timeless, Innovative RTS Classic!"

Since the sequel will be coming out later this year (Aug 2009 I believe), I finally decided to write a review for the only RTS game I've played off and on for over 8 years. Rarely, do I find such a game in the RTS department. Even Warcraft 1, 2 and 3 lost their luster for me after awhile, and that's saying something. Majesty is just that interesting and that much fun to play.

Graphics (10/10)
Despite being 2D, Majesty's graphics are superb. You can view each individual brick, plank, etc that make up your buildings, and everything from the barbarian running after a monster to the flag waving over your palace has a detailed shadow. The animations are also wonderful. Each hero class has its own style of walking, attacking, casting spells, etc. The monsters are also well-animated. In today's times, the graphics may be dated, but unlike some other aging games, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Sound (10/10)
Excellent. Each type of character from your Sean Connery-like adviser to the most common peasant has its own, unique sound. Some sound really cool, like the seductive-sounding priestess of Krypta; others, like the wizard who yells "Im MELLLLTING" are just funny and make you laugh. Each type has a different exclamation for when they level up, reach high level, choose to go after your bounty flags, etc. It's just great. The music is also really good, and changes depending on what stage you are at of each mission. When you begin a difficult mission it will sound rather ominous; when you are about to slay the last monster on the map to complete an objective the tone will be upbeat and hopeful. Some of my friends have even downloaded them as mp3s. They're just a lot of fun to listen to, and don't ever get tiring.

Gameplay (10/10):
Ahhhhh...the selling point of Majesty. For those who don't know Majesty is the first RTS game to successfully use elements of the RPG genre. Basically, each mission begins thus. You are the King, and begin each mission in a palace. As an actual sovereign would, you tell your peasants where to build buildings, tell your tax collectors to tax specific buildings, recruit heroes and command your wizard's guilds and temples to cast certain spells across the map. The game does the rest, and it does it quite well. Each hero class has a specific personality, and it takes a lot of thought be able to understand which heroes work together with certain others best, which heroes are more likely to complete a certain task, which hero's talents are most suited to a particular scenario, etc.

For example, Adepts (priests who worship the wind god) rely on mobility and speed, and charge themselves with defending your kingdom. If left to their own devices, they will run/teleport back and forth across your kingdom, patrolling it and searching for invaders. Rangers, in contrast, do not like to stay close to home, but prefer to explore, wandering to the farthest reaches of the map. Rogues will wander throughout your town, stealing money from buildings, buying weapons, blowing some of it in the gambling hall, etc., and will jump on the chance to make some extra cash as soon as you place a bounty flag.

These heroes also have a good (but not perfect) degree of intelligence. They will flee when injured and out of healing potions, follow and support each other (i.e. healers will follow your warriors as they fight, healing their injuries), and regulate their own equipment to make sure they're up to the challenges they want to face. Although it may, at the onset, seem like you aren't doing much, there is a fair amount of strategy involved. In order to complete the expert missions especially you must understand certain build orders, the relationships between the heroes, understand how to give them an incentive, etc. Unlike other RTS games, you are ACTUALLY playing the role of a sovereign.

Replayability (10/10)
I said I had been playing this game off and on since its release in 2000 and I was serious. Although many missions do not come with the game, each is unique, and it's interesting to try them again using different class combos, strategies etc. In addition, there is the awesome "freestyle mode," where you can either choose (or have the computer choose for you), a unique, customized mission where you have different objectives, face off against certain types of monsters, etc. It provides the perfect opportunity to experience everything the game can throw at you so you can develop your strategies. It even allows you to ban yourself from cheating during a game before you start it, for all you impulsive types :)

Final Words
If you're bored of most modern RTS games or are looking for something innovative to try, Majesty (and its expansion) are a MUST BUY. The indirect system of control that it uses may make you skeptical, but trust me: It's just as fun, if not more fun, than controlling them yourself. Plus, it ensures that your units are ALWAYS doing something, whereas in other RTS games, you could only control a certain number of units at a time, and others would have to sit idle waiting for commands. This game is simply a gem.

Final Score: 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/01/09

Game Release: Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim (US, 02/29/00)