The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Complete

The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Complete is a compilation that includes the base game and two expansions, offering a rich real-time strategy experience set in a medieval world. Players engage in city-building, resource management, and military conquest as they lead their settlers to prosperity, expand their kingdom, and face challenges in both single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes.

The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Complete: A Comprehensive Retrospective

Introduction

The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Complete stands as a pivotal, if controversial, entry in the long-running Settlers series. Released in 2005, this compilation bundles the base game, Heritage of Kings: The Settlers, with its two expansions, The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Expansion Disc and The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Legends Expansion Disc. Developed by Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft, the game represents a bold departure from the series’ traditional city-building roots, embracing a more combat-oriented real-time strategy (RTS) approach. This review will dissect the game’s development, narrative, gameplay mechanics, artistic direction, reception, and legacy, offering a nuanced understanding of its place in gaming history.

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Development History & Context

The Evolution of a Franchise

The Settlers series, known for its intricate economic simulation and charming “Wuselfaktor” (a term describing the bustling activity of settlers), had established a loyal fanbase by the early 2000s. However, with The Settlers IV (2001) receiving criticism for being too similar to its predecessor, Blue Byte faced a crossroads. The studio sought to innovate, but the question was how.

In 2001, Ubisoft acquired Blue Byte, bringing new resources and a global perspective. The directive was clear: expand The Settlers beyond its German stronghold, particularly into the North American market, where the series had struggled. This ambition led to a fundamental rethinking of the franchise’s core mechanics.

A New Direction

Early in development, Heritage of Kings was envisioned as a cross-platform title, with plans for PlayStation 2 and GameCube releases. However, these console versions were ultimately scrapped, allowing the team to focus solely on the PC. The decision to shift to 3D graphics was a significant one, driven by a desire for greater interactivity and immersion. As art director Thorsten Knop noted, the team wanted players to “see the canon taking shape piece by piece in the workshop,” a level of detail impossible with the series’ traditional 2D sprite-based approach.

The development team, dubbed the “Settlers All-Star Team,” included veterans from previous entries, such as Thomas Friedmann (creative director) and Andreas Suika (lead designer). Their goal was to streamline the gameplay while retaining the series’ essence. Friedmann famously dismissed the idea of adding hobbits or elves, emphasizing that the game should remain grounded in its medieval setting.

Feedback and Iteration

Blue Byte actively sought feedback from critics, focus groups, and forums, asking questions like, “What is the core of The Settlers?” and “What doesn’t work in The Settlers?” The consensus was that the series’ complex daisy-chain economic processes, while deep, were becoming overly convoluted. Friedmann likened them to “a beautiful interface for Excel tables,” a sentiment that resonated with many players.

To appeal to North American audiences, the team introduced an event-driven narrative, a rarity in the Settlers series. They also simplified micromanagement, foregrounded combat, and incorporated hero units with unique abilities—elements inspired by Warcraft III and other contemporary RTS titles. Bruce Milligan, a design consultant hired for his experience with Tropico and Rise of Nations, played a crucial role in tailoring the game for Western markets.

Technological Foundations

Heritage of Kings was built using the RenderWare engine, licensed from Criterion Software in 2002. This engine allowed for detailed 3D environments and dynamic animations, though it also presented challenges. The shift to 3D meant the series’ signature “Wuselfaktor” had to be reimagined. As Thomas Häuser explained, the engine could only render a handful of settlers at a time while maintaining smooth performance, necessitating a more restrained visual style.

The game’s “aquarium effect,” where players could zoom in to see intricate animations like blacksmiths forging cannons, was a deliberate attempt to make the world feel alive. Particle effects, vertex shaders, and other techniques were employed to enhance the game’s visual fidelity, though some critics later argued that the graphics, while technically impressive, lacked the charm of the series’ 2D roots.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

A Tale of Legacy and Betrayal

Heritage of Kings unfolds in a fractured medieval kingdom, where the once-prosperous Old Empire has splintered into warring princedoms under the tyrannical rule of King Mordred. The protagonist, Dario, is a young man living in the village of Thalgrund, unaware of his royal lineage. When Mordred’s Black Knights, led by the enigmatic General Kerberos, raid his village in search of a mysterious amulet, Dario’s life is upended. His dying mother reveals the truth: Dario is the rightful heir to the throne, and the amulet is a piece of an ancient orb symbolizing the king’s wisdom and power.

Dario’s journey is one of self-discovery and reclamation. Accompanied by his childhood friend, the knight Erec, he sets out to unite the princedoms and overthrow Mordred. Along the way, he gathers a fellowship of allies, each with their own skills and backstories:

• Helias: Dario’s uncle, a former king who abdicated to become a priest. Helias serves as a mentor, guiding Dario through the political complexities of the realm.
• Ari: A cunning thief who becomes Dario’s love interest. Her kidnapping by the regent Mary De Mortfichet adds a personal stakes to the conflict.
• Pilgrim: A gruff miner and demolition expert, whose knowledge of explosives proves invaluable in siege scenarios.
• Salim: A weapons designer and trap specialist, adding a tactical edge to Dario’s forces.
• Kerberos: The game’s most morally ambiguous character. Initially a villain, Kerberos reveals himself to be Helias’s estranged son, bitter over his father’s decision to pass the throne to Keron (Dario’s father). His eventual betrayal of Mordred—and later, Dario—adds layers of tragedy to the narrative.

Themes of Power and Redemption

At its core, Heritage of Kings explores themes of legacy, power, and redemption. Dario’s quest is not merely about reclaiming a throne but proving his worth as a leader. The orb, a recurring motif, symbolizes the burden of kingship—its pieces scattered across the land, much like the fractured kingdom itself.

Kerberos’s arc is particularly compelling. His resentment toward Helias and desire for the throne he believes was stolen from him mirror the broader political strife in the game. His eventual suicide, after realizing his ambitions have led only to ruin, underscores the game’s cautionary tale about the corrupting nature of power.

The expansion, The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Expansion Disc, continues Dario’s story years after his coronation. When construction on a vital bridge halts due to attacks by “demons,” Dario investigates, uncovering a conspiracy involving a bounty hunter, Drake, and a vengeful regent, Kadir. The expansion introduces new characters like Yuki, a martial artist, and delves into themes of loyalty and justice, as Dario must once again protect his kingdom from internal threats.

Dialogue and Characterization

The game’s dialogue is a mixed bag. While some exchanges, particularly between Dario and his companions, are well-written and emotionally resonant, others suffer from stiff, overly formal language. The voice acting, too, is uneven—some characters, like the gruff Pilgrim, are delivered with conviction, while others feel wooden.

The game’s humor, a staple of the Settlers series, is present but subdued. Settlers occasionally quip as they work, and some missions feature lighthearted moments, such as Dario’s awkward courtship of Ari. However, the overall tone is darker than previous entries, reflecting the game’s more serious narrative ambitions.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

A Hybrid of Strategy and Simulation

Heritage of Kings is a real-time strategy game with city-building elements, controlled via a point-and-click interface. The primary objective in most missions is to establish a functioning economy capable of supporting a military force strong enough to defeat enemy keeps. However, the game’s mechanics represent a significant departure from earlier Settlers titles, prioritizing combat and resource gathering over the series’ trademark logistic chains.

Core Gameplay Loop

1. Settlement Establishment:

   • Each mission begins with a prebuilt keep and a small number of serfs. The player must quickly establish a village center, the hub of their settlement, which determines population limits.
   • Unlike previous games, village centers can only be built on specific sites, adding a layer of strategic planning to early-game expansion.

2. Resource Gathering:

   • Resources—wood, stone, iron, clay, sulfur, and gold (thalers)—are essential for construction, upgrades, and military recruitment.
   • Serfs gather wood and excavate small resource piles, while larger deposits require mines or quarries. Refineries process raw materials into usable goods, though the system is streamlined compared to earlier Settlers games.

3. Economic Management:

   • Workers, distinct from serfs, occupy buildings and pay taxes, which fund serf recruitment and military units. Their productivity is influenced by proximity to lodgings and farms, as well as motivation levels (boosted by decorative monuments and places of worship).
   • Taxation is a new mechanic, allowing players to adjust rates to balance income and worker satisfaction. Overtime can be ordered but at the cost of motivation.

4. Military and Combat:

   • Military units are organized into captain-led squads, with higher-ranked captains commanding larger groups. Units include swordsmen, spearmen, archers, cavalry, and cannons, with sharpshooters added in the expansion.
   • Combat is straightforward but lacks depth. Battles often devolve into large-scale clashes with little tactical nuance, a common criticism of the game.

5. Heroes and Special Abilities:

   • Heroes like Dario, Ari, and Kerberos have unique abilities that can turn the tide of battle. For example, Ari can steal resources, while Kerberos can inspire troops. These abilities are cooldown-based, adding a layer of strategy to their use.

6. Technology and Upgrades:

   • Research is conducted in various buildings, unlocking new units, upgrades, and economic efficiencies. The tech tree is linear, with little room for specialization.

Multiplayer Modes

The game supports both LAN and online multiplayer, with three distinct modes:
– Conquest: A traditional RTS mode where the last standing keep wins.
– Technology Race: Players compete to research all technologies first.
– Point Game: A timed mode where points are earned through research and destruction of enemy buildings.

Multiplayer was a focal point for Ubisoft, with Ubisoft Montreal overseeing the online component. However, the multiplayer scene never gained significant traction, partly due to the game’s mixed reception.

Innovations and Flaws

Heritage of Kings introduced several innovations to the Settlers formula:
– Direct Control of Serfs: Players can manually command serfs to perform tasks, a departure from the automated systems of previous games.
– Dynamic Weather: Weather affects gameplay, with winter freezing rivers for easier crossing and summer thawing them to create natural barriers. The expansion adds fog-shrouded rivers, requiring bridges for traversal.
– Scouts and Thieves: These units, added in the expansion, provide reconnaissance and sabotage capabilities, adding depth to strategic play.

However, the game’s streamlined mechanics also drew criticism. The reduction of logistic chains, a hallmark of the series, left some fans feeling that the game had lost its identity. Combat, while more prominent, was often criticized as shallow, with battles decided more by unit numbers than tactics.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

A Medieval Realm in 3D

Heritage of Kings marks the Settlers series’ transition to 3D, a move that brought both opportunities and challenges. The game’s world is a sprawling medieval landscape, with diverse environments ranging from lush forests to barren wastelands. The art direction leans toward realism, though with a touch of the series’ signature whimsy.

Visual Design

The game’s 3D models are detailed, with settlers and soldiers animated fluidly. Buildings, from humble farms to grand keeps, are intricately designed, though some textures appear dated by modern standards. The “aquarium effect” is evident in workshops, where players can zoom in to see blacksmiths forging weapons or bakers kneading dough.

However, the shift to 3D came at a cost. The series’ beloved “Wuselfaktor”—the bustling, chaotic activity of settlers—was diminished. The engine’s limitations meant fewer settlers could be rendered on-screen at once, reducing the sense of a living, breathing settlement.

Sound and Music

The game’s sound design is one of its strongest aspects. Ambient sounds, from the clanging of blacksmiths’ hammers to the rustling of trees, create an immersive atmosphere. The voice acting, while uneven, is generally competent, with some standout performances (e.g., Kerberos’s gravelly tones).

The soundtrack, composed by Michael Pummel, blends orchestral and medieval-inspired themes. Tracks like the main theme evoke a sense of grandeur, while battle music ramps up the tension. The music is dynamic, shifting to reflect the player’s actions, though it can become repetitive over long sessions.

Atmosphere and Immersion

Heritage of Kings excels in creating a sense of place. The changing seasons, dynamic weather, and day-night cycles add depth to the world. Missions are varied, taking players from besieged villages to sprawling castles, each with its own challenges and atmosphere.

However, the game’s pacing can be glacial. Early missions require extensive resource gathering before military action is possible, which some players found tedious. The lack of a fast-forward option exacerbated this issue, leading to criticism that the game felt slow, even by RTS standards.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception: A Divisive Entry

Heritage of Kings received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising its visuals and sound design but criticizing its gameplay and pacing. On Metacritic, the game holds a score of 58/100, indicating “mixed or average” reception.

Positive Aspects:
– Graphics and Animation: Critics lauded the game’s detailed 3D environments and fluid animations. PC Games (Germany) called the graphics “some of the most beautiful in the strategy genre.”
– Sound Design: The ambient sounds and voice acting were widely praised, with IGN noting the “impressive sound effects.”
– Accessibility: The streamlined mechanics made the game more approachable for newcomers, a point highlighted by PC Games as a strength.

Negative Aspects:
– Loss of Series Identity: Many critics felt the game had strayed too far from the Settlers formula. Eurogamer’s Kieron Gillen argued that by “losing virtually everything that made the Settlers unique,” the game had become “the same as everything else, but not as good.”
– Combat and AI: The combat system was criticized as shallow, with GameSpot calling it “underdeveloped” and Computer Gaming World describing it as “tactics-free.” The AI was also panned for its predictability and lack of challenge.
– Pacing and Mission Design: The game’s slow pace and repetitive mission structure drew ire. GameSpy’s Allen Rausch called it “a slow, dull title,” while IGN lamented the “glacial pace.”

Commercial Success

Despite the mixed reviews, Heritage of Kings was a commercial success. In Germany, it sold over 100,000 copies within a month of release, earning gold status. By 2006, worldwide sales had reached 500,000 units, with 350,000 sold in Germany alone. The game’s success demonstrated that, despite its flaws, there was still a strong market for the Settlers brand.

Awards and Accolades

The game received several awards, including:
– Best PC Game at the 2004 Games Convention.
– Best Cutscenes and Best Strategy Game at the 2005 Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (German Developer Awards).

These accolades reflected the game’s technical achievements, even as its gameplay divided critics.

Legacy and Influence

Heritage of Kings occupies a complicated place in the Settlers series. For some fans, it represents a misstep—a dilution of the series’ core identity in pursuit of broader appeal. For others, it was a necessary evolution, modernizing the franchise for a new generation.

The game’s emphasis on combat and hero units influenced later entries, such as The Settlers: Rise of an Empire (2007) and The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom (2010). However, subsequent titles attempted to strike a better balance between economic simulation and military strategy, addressing some of the criticisms leveled at Heritage of Kings.

The History Edition, released in 2018, brought the game to modern audiences with improved compatibility and online multiplayer. While it hasn’t rekindled the same level of interest as the original release, it serves as a testament to the game’s enduring appeal among strategy fans.

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Conclusion

The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Complete is a flawed but fascinating entry in the Settlers series. Its attempt to blend city-building with real-time strategy was ambitious, but the execution left much to be desired. The streamlined mechanics, while making the game more accessible, stripped away much of what made the series unique. The narrative, though engaging, was hampered by uneven writing and voice acting. The visuals and sound design were standout features, but the combat and AI were underwhelming.

Yet, for all its flaws, Heritage of Kings remains a noteworthy experiment. It represents a pivotal moment in the Settlers series—a bold, if imperfect, attempt to evolve. Its commercial success proved that the franchise still had life, even as its critical reception highlighted the challenges of balancing innovation with tradition.

Final Verdict: The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Complete is a game of contradictions—beautiful yet sterile, ambitious yet flawed. It’s a must-play for Settlers completists and strategy enthusiasts curious about the series’ evolution, but it’s unlikely to win over those seeking the depth and charm of the earlier entries. 6.5/10 – A noble experiment that doesn’t quite stick the landing.