Developer: Blueside
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Release Date: January 8, 2008
Platform(s): XBOX 360
ESRB Rating: Mature

Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom is the fourth installment of the Kingdom Under Fire series. I recently played the demo available for download from the XBOX Live Marketplace. KUF:CoD is an action RPG with a focus on cooperative game play. The demo features a prologue that introduces the story and the setting where the game takes place in. It’s not spectacular but it is mildly interesting. There are two worlds: the light world and the dark world each ruled by a respective lord. A war took place between these two opposing worlds that ended with the light defeating the dark. The war gave rise to powerful heroes but with the retreat of the dark forces, many of these heroes have gone missing. Where have they gone? This is where the story begins.

There are a total of six playable characters but only two are available in the demo: Prince Leinhart and the knight Kendal. Upon selecting a character the game begins and the player is treated to a cinematic that introduces the game’s villain. The demo takes place in the Forest of Embracing, a lush landscape plagued by monsters.

When it comes down to it, KUF:CoD is a game about killing monsters, stealing their stuff and leveling up. As I progressed through the forest I was attack by swarm after swarm of monsters. Luckily I was prepared for them. Any combination of weapons and shields can be equipped in either hand, one triggered with the A button and the other with the X button. Two spells can be equipped and are activated with the B button and with the right trigger button. Items can be used in combat by pressing the left and right bumper buttons. There is a near infinite amount of weapon and armor combinations you can give your character.

Rarely do enemies attack you individually, rather they attack in large swarms so cutting them down is rather rewarding. Each attack and spell uses a certain amount of SP, when your SP runs out you can’t attack. SP slowly recovers on it’s own or you can use a potion to speed up the process. This adds a level of strategy to the combat. However, the fighting soon becomes repetitive. New weapons and armor do spice things up a little bit, but after the tenth battle I was bored. Perhaps the game becomes more fun when playing with other people.

Graphics-wise it’s a mixed bag. Some of the monsters look great, like the flesh golem, but others are drab and boring. The character animations are well done, and I like how their appearances change by equipping different weapons and armor. The environments look nice but I have seen better on the XBOX 360.

I absolutely loved the soundtrack. It ranges from a melancholy piano to an all out heavy metal assault. The voice acting is surprisingly well done. It’s not as bad as Two Worlds but not as good as Mass Effect. Still, the voice actors give excellent performances with the material they are given.

The demo takes the player through the first two stages of the Forest of Embracing and ends at a boss fight. KUF:CoD has some redeeming qualities but the repetitive game play really put me off. Don’t expect to see me online playing this game.