Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader is my absolute favourite game definitively. Its greatest strength being how masterfully written the dialogue and story are. Small pockets of polished and refined elements exemplify this throughout the journey. Such as the word temerity being used instead of the common term audacity, and Joan of Arc’s protective spiritual guardians referring to her as their pious child. I tend to favour games that don’t talk down to their audience, instead imparting beautifully-expressed language like the above examples.

Medieval settings can sometimes seem a bit run-of-the-mill in PC games. It would’ve been so much cooler if the developers had decided to create an alternate history during the crusades, chucked in a few historical figures, then topped it off with original creatures like Feralkins, Sylvants and... wait a minute, they totally did that and pulled it off magnificently!

The game has this almost supernatural charm about it, which seems appropriate considering the player chooses one of three spirits to inhabit their body. They chime in with commentary and advice at pivotal moments in the plot. From both a historical standpoint and spiritual perspective the overarching narrative in this world is profound. You start off in the atmospheric and richly-detailed Barcelona, which is where your friend Leonardo Da Vinci has his workshop in this surreal alternate timeline.

The game features a robust custom character generator for the protagonist, stunning isometric 2D visuals converted from 3D models in real-time, excellent portrait artwork imbued with personality of the people you will meet, four intriguing factions to potentially join, branching dialogue options, choices & consequences that feel meaningful, an invisible karma meter, spells galore, multiple endings and numerous other fine merits.

Obligatory secrets are hidden throughout, the kind that CRPGs are renowned for. (Secrets in a CRPG, what is the world coming to? I’m as shocked as you are). 

Keeping spoilers minimal in my review, so that you can truly be immersed as much as I was when I first played Lionheart. It was a blind buy. The best blind buy of my life, which makes it a tad ironic that it enhanced my perception stats. You see, I played the Spiderweb Software games as my initiation into CRPGs. The first two in the Geneforge series still come highly recommended by me. They had vision but lacked production value, then I discovered a game that managed to combine both attributes and I was instantly hooked.

Compositional brilliance by Inon Zur gets showcased with an orchestral score blended harmoniously alongside acoustic guitar that brings the game vibrantly to life.

[-1 CHA for engaging in name-dropping of famous composers]

Erm... please ignore that momentary distraction, let’s get back on focus. 

I identify more with words than numbers, but maybe I can convince you to play the game by rolling a natural 20. The things is... this isn’t actually a Dungeons & Dragons game. Fun fact: It’s the only game outside of the Fallout series to use the SPECIAL system for skill points.

I’ve had a closer look at the game files, and it’s staggering how there are a total of 1573 voiced lines (some of which aren’t even used!) spread evenly across 32 immensely prominent voice actors. That accomplishment alone is worthy of praise for a CRPG originally released in 2003.

Overall, 159 dedicated professionals worked tirelessly on this game’s development, and I, for one, appreciate those efforts.

Flawed masterpiece is probably a fitting summary, as I am now delving into some even-handed criticism regarding Lionheart.

In my eyes, a computer role-playing game must provide an appropriate balance between finding different solutions in any given situation. Whether it be using charismatic diplomacy or resolving things with some good ol’ fist fighting! For the most part, Legacy of the Crusader gets this balance right, though not perfectly.

The mandatory combat sequences in this game are tedious even for CRPG veterans. Winning this game from start to finish, I’ve only ever achieved that twice. Don’t let this aspect alone deter you from playing the game, because you can still complete about 70% of the game without encountering hardcore difficulty, provided you have some prior CRPG experience. Using stealth, combat or a silver tongue, this game is flexible enough to allow varying tactics.

It’s available on both GOG and Steam for purchase. My personal recommendation would be to download it from GOG. Thank you so much for reading my review! I’m very passionate about this game, and I even own a big box edition, small box and digital version. Share in my enthusiasm, won’t you? Then you also can become a scion of Lionheart. 

https://www.gog.com/en/game/lionheart_le...e_crusader

https://store.steampowered.com/app/59506..._Crusader/

Sold! A great review that persuaded me to buy (from GOG). I have to admit, though, I have never finished any Black Isle game except the two Fallouts. And it sounds like I might never finish this one.

Thank you for this review. I am wondering why I never noticed this game. Maybe it is because I am usually more interested in purely fictional settings.

Not sure about the "tedious combat" issue, since several players seem to be complaining about this (and I don't think it's because of their lack of experience with roleplaying games, but just guessing), but I'll definitely at least add it to my wishlist for now. Maybe checking it out later.

The game being flexible sounds interesting. Although I am always comparing with a good Planescape: Torment, so I am not sure if it would have a chance against that?

I have tried twice now to progress in Torment but both times got irredeemably stuck in that pile of skulls area and can’t find my way out. But as far as depth of story and completeness of world-building, I don’t think anything will have much chance there.

Thanks for the review, seems interesting and I may have past this by otherwise. Wishlisted.

I actually mostly ignored CRPGs back in their heyday in the late 90s/2000s as I had the wrong impression they weren't for me given I don't like excessive grinding, min maxing stats, etc before later realising that wasn't really what they're like and they have way more to offer, so I have a rather large backlog of the major cornerstones of the genre still to play through so I'm not sure when I'll get to this one, but one day I'm sure.

There was a period where RPGs were like AGs with fighting. Knights of the Old Republic comes to mind.

As a child I was originally more interested in action RPGs(King's Field, Diablo 1&2, TES3: Morrowind, Technomage), but got into CRPGs a bit later with the at the time "modern" D&D based games: Baldur's Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, etc. But I never played, or even heard of, Lionheart!

Honestly, the game looks absolutely gorgeous! I have a strong love for this visual style. Definitely added it to my wishlist!

I usually don't let unfair difficulty and slog beat me, I can be quite stubborn about getting through games, hehe! So we'll see how bad I'll feel it is in this game when I get to that point ... xD

In all honesty Lionheart has never even crossed my path.

I played the original Baldur's Gate(s) by Black Isle, as well as other D&D RPGS's like Torment and Neverwinter Nights, but for one reason or another drifted away from RPG's for quite a while.

However this forensic and massively detailed review may just get me to check this one out!

Let's see what sounds good... alternate European history blended with mythological creatures? Check. Interesting and innovative character creation? Check. Splendid, colourful and interesting graphics and interface? Check. 

Looks good so fat to me!

May just... 'click'... yup. It's now on my Wishlist. 

Sold! A great review that persuaded me to buy (from GOG).

Thank you for this review.

Thanks for the review, seems interesting and I may have past this by otherwise.

Definitely added it to my wishlist!

It's now on my Wishlist.

Thank you everyone! It's immensely appreciated that you gave my review the undivided attention normally only reserved for Deekin Scalesinger. You may now return to absent-mindedly thinking about pastries like Grobnar Gnomehands. Well, after you finish reading the rest of this post, that is. Silly me.

Although I am always comparing with a good Planescape: Torment

Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader is a fun balance between exciting real-time combat gameplay, finding hidden locations and treasures, eloquent dialogue with branching choices based on charisma stats, and an enthralling story with an approachable tone. In comparison, Planescape: Torment relies heavily on words to the point of becoming a book masquerading as a computer game. Many RPG enthusiasts consider it to be the best written story ever created. I haven't played it because the subject matter seems too intensely dark for my personal tastes. There was another RPG that tried to have a book-like experience called the Siege of Avalon. They had a clever marketing slogan: "Played any good books lately?"

I actually mostly ignored CRPGs back in their heyday in the late 90s/2000s as I had the wrong impression they weren't for me given I don't like excessive grinding, min maxing stats, etc before later realising that wasn't really what they're like and they have way more to offer, so I have a rather large backlog of the major cornerstones of the genre still to play through so I'm not sure when I'll get to this one, but one day I'm sure.

It's great to hear that you eventually gave the RPG genre a second chance. My general rule of thumb is that RPG creators that truly care about the dialogue they have written, will also bother to include at least some kind of charisma-based mechanic (diplomacy, bluff, lie, persuade, etc.) For instance, you won't ever see me playing games in the tactical RPG genre. I've enjoyed playing various JRPGs; a brief shoutout to Chrono Trigger, Grinsia and Vay. Nevertheless, JRPGs do feel quite linear in comparison to western role-playing games. CRPGs provide an alluring sense of autonomy that I always find satisfying and commendable.

You may be surprised how few computer role-playing games are actually worthy of your time. Ideally they have quality traits for an immersive experience. If we pick just two gameplay features as a baseline requirement, such as multiple endings and a skill distribution system for character development. Well, the results speak for themselves, the list of CRPGs on MobyGames gets massively reduced down to just a mere 35 games:

https://www.mobygames.com/game/genre:rol...re/page:1/

There was a period where RPGs were like AGs with fighting. Knights of the Old Republic comes to mind.

Those two Star Wars RPGs went in different development directions. Bioware developed the first game. The second game was developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Both are praiseworthy companies, but I respect Obsidian Entertainment significantly more. This same pattern recurred again, with Bioware developing the first Neverwinter Nights, and Obisidian Entertainment developing the sequel to Neverwinter Nights.

I'm firmly of the mindset that depending on which game engine is used (especially when built from scratch) it drastically influences the final overall feeling of every video game. Graphic artists, musicians and writers have to fit around the logic and workflow of the engine. Neverwinter Nights used the Aurora engine, whereas Neverwinter Nights 2 used the Electron engine. Reflexive Entertainment developed Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader using their unique Velocity engine.

Honestly, the game looks absolutely gorgeous! I have a strong love for this visual style.

Guyra, you and I are kindred spirits in that regard, I also have a strong affinity for this aesthetic. There is such a rustic charm about isometric western role-playing games. I hope I can manage to do it justice by even attempting to describe it. Lest I be cast into the Nine Hells. The isometric angle used for CRPGs ages far more gracefully than fully 3D games, and has substantially more depth than the flat world of 2D. Dimly-lit caverns, lush open farmland plains, games set in claustrophobic bunkers, or in the vastness of outer space. All of those aforementioned settings get enhanced by the usually detailed inventory slots and other graphical qualities. Browns, blacks, reds and blues are the colours that frequently dominate. I love swirling vortex effects, mists, potion vials, glowing substances, vivid red skies and various other high fantasy elements and science fiction motifs that seamlessly get blended into this visual style.

I love the imagery specifically used throughout Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader. The main menu screen randomly switches between different lavish artworks they created, which truly have a magnificent hand-painted look and feeling that is extremely rare to witness in other RPGs. The gameplay itself pushes isometric visuals in an innovative direction, Reflexive Entertainment used their Velocity engine to do real-time conversion from 3D models into 2D graphics, an ingenious way to ensure compatibility with older systems like Windows 98 whilst still maintaining stunning graphics. If you don't mind some spoilers before you play the game, MobyGames has numerous screenshots that showcase the creative joint effort of Reflexive Entertainment and Black Isle Studios:

https://www.mobygames.com/game/8635/lion...s/windows/

If anyone has any questions or comments regarding Lionheart, then I'd be very happy to read them here in this thread. Continued discussions about CRPG topics in general are also completely welcome. Thank you, once again.