Chivalry 2 Review

 Chivalry 2 is a first-person multiplayer slasher in a medieval setting. Return to online warfare as players are plunged into iconic battles of the Middle Ages. This game was not on my radar to even try out this year, but when I did play it, I quickly realised that Chivalry 2 is one of the most fun and entertaining videogames I have played in a very long time!

This isn't about mastering the same old usual first-person shooter, this game is about mastering the art of the sword, axes, maces, bows, and more! And I have to say that it brings a breath of fresh air and its own unique style to multiplayer. It certainly stands out among the very saturated FPS genre that the majority of gamers play day in and day out. This change in bloody and brutal battles between two factions is seen as a welcoming overhaul.

After completing the tutorial, you’ll be given a choice to select between two factions, the Agathians Knights or the Masons Order. Depending on who you select, a short cutscene will be shown that explains lore about the faction and why you are at war with the other side. The story is straightforward, though this is not the focus of the game as a lore codex is available in the menu to access should you need more information about it.

Chivalry 2 is simple in what it has to offer to all players. There is no campaign, just a clean layout showcasing three modes of multiplayer. A 64-player team objective-based, 40-player team objective-based and a Free-For-All mode. Just pick one, and almost immediately you’ll be put into a match. All three modes start out the same way which involved me charging with my weapon yelling as I got ready to slash and dice the opposing team. Atmosphere is great, loads of screaming and shouting as tons of people war-cry rushing into battle. You also have the ability to pick up most things lying around and you can throw your weapons at your enemies making it all too chaotic.

I’m very happy with the melee combat system, it’s easy to pick up and feels very satisfying to just kill the crap out of people in this game especially when you pull off something sensational. But as rewarding as it is to dice up your opponent, it's equally as punishing when you get the shit whacked out of you. I found myself sitting near the edge of my couch in anticipation, leaning side to side as if this was going to help my combat. I was really immersed in the experience - that’s how you know it’s a really good game and Chivalry 2 gets this right.

The mode to play is the 64-player just because this game is best played when all hell breaks loose and chaos is everywhere surrounding you. You want as many people to populate the map, running around in rampageous masses charging at each other. Yes, disembowelment and eviscerating enemies is a lot of fun just as much as when you fire ballista bolts that hit the opponent in the arse. I definitely love the large battlefield and siege setting and this made the 1v1 matches more enjoyable with a change in pace.

I find these kinds of games are more enjoyable when they first come out because it’s very welcoming to all kinds of players, everyone starts on an even field. You don’t need to be an expert to play, but those who do master the combat will experience a fulfilling sense of achievement later on down the road. The combat has been worked on to make it newcomer-friendly with blocking being introduced. So, if you’re new to this kind of genre, don’t be afraid to pick up Chivalry 2 as it might be the most fun you ever had.