20-YO Robin Hood: Legend of Sherwood Wasn't Afraid to Experiment. This Unique Combat System is Remembered to This Day
Robin Hood is a character that everyone knows. However, not everyone's aware that this hero lived to see his own game modeled on the Commandos series. The Sherwood legend has his own flair, including a very unusual combat system.
Historians still argue about whether Robin Hood actually existed. Some researchers claim it's a character from the 12th century, others suggest the 13th, but it could just be a legend. Some even believe that it's actually several characters who were eventually given the same name. We will probably never know the truth. We can be sure, however, that this is one of the most influential figures in English pop culture.
It's no wonder that over the years, many works (films, books and games) have been inspired by the adventures of this English rogue. Today, we would like to talk about a title that stole my heart when I was young – Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood is the best thing that happened to this iconic hero from the gaming industry.
The best game about an English outlaw was created by... Germans
Over the years, the adventures of Robin Hood have seen countless book, film, and game iterations. It probably won't surprise you that, given the theme of the site and my personal interests, we'll focus on the latter. The origins of computer games about the famous outlaw can be traced back to 1982. We're talking about Sherwood Forest from Phoenix Software Studio. It was an adventure game with a fairy-tale style, where instructions were issued through written commands.
Although the protagonist of our story today isn't very old, he can't exactly be called a youngster either. Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood was released in November 2002. The title was developed by Spellbound Entertainment. Older players, in particular, are likely familiar with this developer from creating the Desperados series.
Regardless of how you remember this now-defunct German studio (some of its employees later founded Black Forest Games, which is still active today), one thing is undeniable - they developed the best Robin Hood game to date. At least that's what can be inferred from the ratings on platforms like IMDb or Metacritic (personally, I also hold this belief).
My favorite Commandos
It cannot be denied that Commandos from Pyro Studios has a cult status. This tactical strategy, in which we lead a group of soldiers, undoubtedly appealed to some players. I probably offended many people at this point, but I didn't particularly like it... It's not about the gameplay or the plot. I have always approached games with a World War II or futuristic theme with a lot of caution, preferring medieval and fantasy settings. Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood strikes in just such tones. We won't discover any magic here, but the medieval atmosphere is certainly there - and that's what captivated me.
Similar to the game from Pyro Studios, this is a tactical strategy that involves infiltrating enemy territory, completing a mission, and then disappearing. Our characters' special skills will help us with this. However, this doesn't mean that the game lacks its own unique character and concept.
Exploring important sites like Sherwood Forest, Nottingham, and various other well-known or lesser-known locations is an integral part of the adventures. We will even lead attacks on cities and capture them together with our allies. However, what really sets Robin Hood The Legend of Sherwood apart is its combat.
Drawing circles, it's time for a fight!
It's very likely that I wouldn't be writing about this game today if it wasn't for the fight. It has remained in my mind for many years. Games have trained us to expect that when we engage in battles, we click with the mouse or keyboard and things happen. Robin Hood is different in this matter, the game requires us to... draw.
Luckily, we're not talking about complex drawings here. Attacks are executed using graphical commands. It's interesting that the player has greater potential than the tutorial implies.
- Circle - rotation, dealing damage to opponents around;
- A straight line from the opponent - a quick blow;
- A line towards the opponent - a crosswise blow with the weapon, pushing enemies away;
- Right mouse button - block;
- Infinity sign/recumbent figure eight - powerful but slow strike;
- Semicircle right/left - attack from one side or the other.
The system may not be complicated, but its distinctiveness greatly impressed my younger self, and I still consider it a highly creative solution. Thanks to it, the fight isn't boring and can be diversified.
Moreover, it's worth emphasizing that our companions have various weapons that aren't just a cosmetic detail. Using a stick can more effectively incapacitate opponents, whereas wielding a sword or a bow ensures their death. But you should be careful with the latter.
Fifth, thou shalt not kill
Even though fighting can be fun, you should remember one important thing - don't kill your opponents unless you have to. During missions, we are responsible for running the base in Sherwood Forest. We do this by assigning people to appropriate craft positions. The companions left behind create objects that activate special abilities.
If we leave death and devastation in our path, people will not want to join us. The game will become more challenging in the later levels, particularly if we lack arrows or healing herbs. Proper resource management can be useful at the highest level of difficulty.
Luckily, Robin Hood's fairness assists us in playing through the game in a pacifistic manner. We can plan our moves in advance, thanks to a special tactical option. In most cases, however, this isn't necessary. We will be safe if we watch our opponents, keep them within sight (using a dedicated function for this), and tie up and conceal the bodies of defeated soldiers. Furthermore, in the case of armored enemies, knocking them out is easier than killing them. In the end, regardless of how you do it, the game has one goal - you must ensure the king's return.
Classic plot
The plot of the game is as simple as the construction of Will Scarlet's flail. Robin Hood's aim is to clear his name and save King Richard the Lionheart. Of course, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John have different plans. To complete the quest, Robin must gather legendary companions such as Little John and Friar Tuck. Everyone has a dedicated mission, and we will encounter Lady Marion many times.
Following the story's progress, you feel like you're watching a classic adventure film. I recently re-watched Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner - it's that type of story. The good defeat the evil, and that exactly what you should expect from the Legend of Sherwood.
However, with the passing years, I noticed a certain shades of grey in the character designs that once appeared only black and white to me in my youth. Longchamp comes to the forefront here, as I am able to understand him from the perspective of an adult with some historical knowledge. This person is seeking stability within the country and a king who will remain in place, not in foreign countries. I almost regretted killing him. However, in a broader perspective, you won't encounter any moral dilemmas here. The wicked are truly wicked, while the good are noble (unless you choose to kill everything in sight like Robin, but that's your bloody choice).
Secrets and hidden ending
Interestingly, besides the main quests, the game also features hidden side missions. To do them, you have to explore the map. At times, you might just notice an exclamation mark above a person's head, while in other instances the indications will be a little more discreet (soldiers surrounding a civilian). Giving money to beggars can also frequently unlock interesting events, so always make sure to do it. For helping innocent citizens and annoying the prince's people, we receive valuable resurrecting four-leaf clovers or money. However, there's another reward for thoroughly exploring each map.
Some of the players may not know this, but there is a secret ending in the game, or rather a bonus level. To unlock it, you must collect all the Crown Jewels during various quests. There are seven of them, and below we present their list, quest names, and tips on how to discover them if they cannot be found on the map from the beginning.
- The Prince and the Outlaw - The Royal Scepter, you'll only be able to find it after listening to the prince.
- The Evening Visitor - The Doomsday Book, the location with it is unlocked after talking to the lord.
- The Lock up and the Friar - The Coronation Spoon "falls" from the knight at the top of the castle tower.
- The Silver Arrow - this mission allows you to obtain 2 unique items, the title trophy (however, it isn't needed to unlock the ending) and the Sword of State.
- A wedding and a funeral - Ampulla, it's the easiest crown jewel to overlook. In the southern part of the city, right by the wall, there is a woman who runs home every time she sees her husband standing in front of the building. Knock him out, and hide the body. You have to be quick so as not to scare her. The lady will soon meet with the sergeant. Defeat him, and he will leave behind this valuable item.
- The Escape – Seal of Richard the Lionheart, after freeing Robin it's worth searching the castle.
- The Letter – Crown of the King of England, talk to the beggars.
Returns after years can be painful...
But not this time. While writing this text, I have just finished the game again and I must say that Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood is a title worth revisiting or getting to know if you have never played it. Of course, it's not a perfect game. Repetitive levels, occasional issues starting fights, and somewhat simple opponent AI behavior can be pointed out as areas for criticism.
However, even in today's times, the gameplay maintains a decent level. The cartoonish design of the game makes it continually pleasant to look at, and the levels are simply beautiful. Nevertheless, the tactical mechanics are well crafted and, most importantly, they haven't become irritating over time. If you want, you can also ignore most of them and become a medieval Rambo.
I swear that after a while those stripes stop bothering you. Robin Hood Legend of Sherwood / Spellbound Entertainment
A significant con for some fans, however, may be the fact of the outdated native resolution. If you zoom in on the image, you might not like what you see. The maximum that the game has to offer is 1024 x 768 px. I am an old-school gamer and it didn't bother me, especially since the boards still look nice. However, you can also find methods online for changing parameters in game files. Although it's known that stretching the image won't enhance its quality to HD.
How to play Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood today?
Robin Hood The Legend of Sherwood is available on both Steam and GOG. It's worth mentioning that on the Valve platform, there are reviews from fans that mention various technical shortcomings. I purchased my copy on GOG and ran it without installing mods or messing with game files. Apart from the unexpected desktop view three times, I didn't have any issues with this title - it's not a serious problem in the span of several hours. The basic price of the game is $7.99, but if you find a promotion, you can get it even for less than a dollar. I would say that it's more than a fair price for a solid portion of adventures in Sherwood Forest.
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