The minds behind the endlessly repetitive Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors games are turning their focus to European history, and we've got the first shots of their version of one of the continent's biggest conflicts. To check out screens from Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War, just hit the Images tab above or check out the grid below.
Casting players as a 14th-century mercenary commander, Bladestorm will enable you to fight alongside (and against) such historical figures as Joan of Arc and Edward the Black Prince, allying your army with either side in any given battle. We're not sure yet how it'll play, although a couple of the screens indicate an action-oriented, Dynasty Warriors-style experience with more strategic elements added.
Your performance on the battlefield, and the reputation you build, will affect the missions you're offered and the soldiers you can recruit, as well as enable you to upgrade your troops. Said troops include your standard pikemen, archers and cavalry, as well as more unusual units like elephants and cannoniers. Look for this one to hit the PS3 sometime in spring, which should be around the same time you'll actually start seeing the console on store shelves for more than five minutes.
November 1, 2006
