bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Kingdom Under Fire:Circle of Doom (XB360)

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Good graphics and sound, diverse weapons, online co-op multiplayer

Weaknesses: A bit repetitive, confusing mix of RPG and strategy games, no local co-op,

Summary: Kingdom Under Fire: Circle Of Doom is the third KUF game, the previous two being on the original Xbox. The game is a third-person hack-and-slash adventure game, though it straddles the line between RPG and strategy. There are hordes of enemies to fight, aided by your allied troops, though most of the time, it's one versus many. The game looks good and sounds good, and there's some decent upgrading of weapons, armor and skills, though it's not very easy to work through that progression. There is co-op gameplay, though it's online only and not local, which is a bit of an issue. The game is a bit repetitive and for some people, that might be a concern. For those that like this type of gameplay, it's a decent enough entry on the Xbox 360.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 7

Strengths: Excellent art, cool-looking characters, big nasty weapons

Weaknesses: Convoluted story, horrible RPG aspect, unexplained loot and crafting system, non-intuitive control scheme, no option to play multiplayer on the same box

Summary: Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom is an interesting combat-heavy third-person game. The meat of the story seems to have alluded me... Depending on who you decide to play, the game starts off your character with a very short intro sequence. Then, you are thrown directly into combat and from there, there is little plot progression. Although the game is a quick one, it is not well-explained. The game also borders on ludicrously easy. Button mashing the same button repeatedly. The game would be fun if they allowed for multiple players to play on the same Xbox. However, you do have to have Xbox Live and play with other Xbox Live people in order to try out their multiplayer, which was the major sticking point for me.