Knighthood

Lush graphics -- including blades of grass swaying in the breeze and characters grimacing when hit -- make this fighting game a visual treat. The player's point of view zooms toward the trolls, bears, and other creatures they face off against in Knighthood's dramatic battles. As they punch, a counter on the left-hand corner of the screen will fill up to indicate when players can use their Rage Power and call on the spirit of ancient heroes to contribute battle help to achieve victory. Their fighting gear and abilities can be enhanced as they complete battles and move along a path that weaves through the game's fantasy world setting.

Gamers can't do much to defend themselves during battles. After their turn, their opponents strike, and players have to wait until they're done to make their next move. They get a chance to do some strategizing, though, because their opponents have different vulnerabilities, and their attacks can affect you in different ways. Goblin archers, for instance, can pierce your armor and affect your health. Players also choose how they'll hit their opponent when fighting, such as punching, or rapidly hitting the creature several times in a row with their sword. Even though most of the action involves going back and forth with opponents in battles, the ability to select various fighting approaches helps keep things from feeling stale. Players may run into trouble if their stamina runs low, because they need some to keep playing. Gems, which can replenish it, aren't given out in abundance -- but while you can purchase more, that's not necessarily a requirement, and you should be able to play for some time without needing to. The game also deserves some credit for making a number of items obtainable through playing, reducing the need to buy things. If parents are OK with fighting as the focus of play, Knighthood's vivid imagery and mix-and-match battle move options can provide a relatively pleasant -- and potentially purchase-free -- experience.