I was going to try a first time play game review on this game. Grand kingdoms for the PS4. I know it is currently a free game with PS+. So why not do a review from start of play with first impressions to go off of. First thought I had was great RPG I am going to like this game. Next impression very quickly changed that because it was a tactics game.
So why do I sound like I am disappointed in this game really quick? Lets start from the beginning here. I really love my RPGs. I love having to level up and grind my way through a game like any one else that loves these game types. But, bam! Right from the start it wasn't as good as it looked. It started off RPG and tactics game. That's no problem to me. Where it lost me was the turn base battle field. You cant see across the battle field as the game plays. That is where it hurt me.
The game looks great. It has nothing special about it in the graphics. It is a simple graphics style with semi-animated cut scenes. The voice overs weren't to bad though and made me interested in the story but not catchy enough to grab my personal attention right away. The party started off prebuilt and that seemed ok but after the tutorial that also changed. That is a plus in my book for this game. the maps were simple chess pieces moving across lines with color coded enemies that moved when you did. There were some other features showing through this that came up during the tutorial that made some things different. There were field shills so it played like chess or checkers. There was hidden paths to follow where the roads ended. And what RPG would be complete without having hidden paths to find. Ok, so you get all the basics.
The battle system however still killed it for me. It was tactics based and turn based with the button mashing to keep that interesting. The viewpoint was making it difficult to see what you were going to do. I am sure as you play into the game further you will get used to it and be able to play it better. I didn't want to deal with that option I wanted something a little more simple. It was simple and you could just move forward and find target and undo to put your character in place. But I didn't see that options for a while into the game and a few battles further. As for the basics of archery and magic and melee combat that was I am sure what it was getting you prepared for and it looked as if there were more options to be revealed later in the game.
My overall of this game is that it looks like it has potential for the fan of TACTICS and TURN BASED games. Its got the potential to have a great story and from some of the screenshots I looked up it looks like the battles can get EPIC! I find this a game I might play when traveling more than anything else. I don't see myself playing it on the big screen at home but more of a bored between things on the handheld. There are a bunch of DLC in the Playstation Store that are basically your no need .99 addons. I don't think I will be spending the time playing this game any time soon but don't give up on it. The actual reviews are mixed but its never less than half scored so its not a total flop game. Give it a try if your into that kind of game.
My video opening gameplay on PS4