Grand Kingdom Preview
When I first encountered the three-lane combat system of Grand Kingdom, all I could do was scratch my head in confusion. Having never seen a system like it before, it took some getting used to — advancing enemies, judging distances for throwing items and placement of other party members all have to be taken into consideration before you can even begin to think about where you’re about to move your playable character to. There’s a lot to think about, and even more that can wind up getting you killed, but after going hands-on with it for a while, I wish more games utilised the system for its unique style of play.
Grand Kingdom unfolds sort of like a strategy game, with RPG elements peppering the mix. Set in a warring world where four nations fight for dominance, you take control of a rookie mercenary and lead your own band of mercs. Gameplay is similar to that of a board game: there are a variety of routes that the player piece can take towards the end tile, with every move you make triggering a movement in the enemy ranks. You can choose whether to take a riskier path, where you’re more likely to encounter a trap or enemy but can reap the rewards in treasure, or you can elect to play it safe, taking the shorter route which ultimately shears less off of your total move count.
Planning your moves ahead of time is a wise strategy, as the aim of the game is to reach the end of the map with as many moves as possible. The longer you spend in turn-based battles, the faster your move count will tick down so even when fighting, there is a constant pressure to annihilate your opponent and get a move on towards the end tile. You can run from battles but it is ill-advised; the best way to level up your characters is through direct combat experience and they’re not exactly going to get that by turning tail and making a break for it every time an enemy appears. Grand Kingdom tasks you with being an effective planner and proactive player, deciding which strategy will offer the best outcome and sticking to it. It rewards perseverance — hesitation and changing your mind can result in lower scores and poorer rewards.
Combat, as previously mentioned, revolves around a three-lane system in which both player characters and enemies are placed. Your movement along this lane is limited by your action bar, which decreases every centimetre you move, either forwards or backwards. With some characters, it is better to remain far across the field from enemies — long-ranged attacks such as javelin throws and grenade tosses follow an arc and land further along the lane. These sort of attacks keep you out of harm’s way but also open up the possibility of friendly fire — if you’re too close to another ally, there’s a chance you may hit them instead. A wide range of classes are present, including healers, bowmen and so on, so combat feels varied and exciting. Enemies are unpredictable, sometimes opting to attack you from long-range or they may advance, deciding to get up close and personal within your ranks which can really lead to some sticky situations.
The art design of Grand Kingdom, from what I played, is splendid and truly fits in with the genre of the game. Some of the visuals and animations are spectacular, with character design being a true highlight — not much of a surprise with Chizu Hashii designing the models. When single-player mode is completed, Grand Kingdom offers an online multiplayer mode in which players can fight those belonging to other nations, with victory resulting in an expansion of the victor’s territory. While not personally playing the multiplayer mode, from what I’ve heard it sounds like an expansive addition that will certainly add longevity to the title.
All told, Grand Kingdom looks like its shaping up to be a delight. The combat system feels innovative, offering a new perspective on the overused turn-based systems of previous titles in the genre. Visually, it is a spectacle, presenting some wonderful looking environments and character designs. With Odin Sphere Leifthrasir releasing only a week after Grand Kingdom in Europe, it looks like NIS America are pulling out the big guns this summer.
