Game Description
Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader- the latest creation of the legendary studio Black Isle. It had every chance to stand alongside Fallout, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment, but either due to haste or lack of funds, the game turned out a bit raw and unfinished, which is why it did not gain popularity in wider circles. Its underdevelopment is manifested in the presence of bugs (non-critical) and slight plot gaps in the second half of the game (the higher levels are not as rich in quests as the initial ones). A deep elaboration of the world, non-linearity (almost all quests can be completed in various ways, or even completely ignored), and a solid role-playing system (S.P.E.C.I.A.L.) connect it with its predecessors.
From Richard to Cortes
To truly enjoy the game, one must understand what is happening in the world. Lionheart is a true work of art; it cannot be played like just any ordinary hack-and-slash.
So...
Let’s start with the fact that the times of Richard have long passed. It is the sixteenth century. The world has somewhat adapted to the consequences of the cataclysm.
As previously mentioned, magic entered the world during the Split. And this magic was predominantly harmful, although later people learned to use some of its types for good. But at the beginning of the Split, no one knew how to confront it. In those times, magic distorted many people, imparting inhuman traits. And now the distortions continue. Many carry the blood of supernatural beings without even realizing it. In many countries, “offspring of filth” are looked at askance, and in some places, they are even considered illegal. (The attitude towards those who wield magical power is also not the best. Although most acknowledge that there is benevolent magic of divine origin, in general, the practitioners of white, black, and gray magic are treated with suspicion. In Spanish cities, for example, the use of any magic is a crime. However, this is not the case everywhere: the English queen legalized witchcraft in her lands. It is for this “heresy” (and not for the non-existent Protestantism in this world) that the Spanish king wishes to punish England. At the time the game begins, ships of the Invincible Armada are preparing to set sail from the port of New Barcelona.)
Immediately after the Split, Richard and Saladin united, and together they managed to prevent even worse calamities. The European kingdoms were then shaking from within, while they were threatened with an invasion by dragons... And only the unexpectedly returned armies of Richard from Palestine could repel the onslaught of the beasts by declaring the fourth crusade — against the dragons. Alas, Richard himself fell a hero’s death.
The graphics may be two-dimensional, but at least there are shadows!
Continuing Richard’s work was entrusted to the order of the Templars. This is surprising, as during the campaign in Palestine, Richard could not stand the Templars, but such things do happen. Saladin also established his own, Muslim order. It is called the Order of Saladin.
Shortly after Richard's death, Britain was shaken by a terrible earthquake, dividing the island into 11 small islands. There was a period of turmoil and fragmentation; taking advantage of the weakness of royal authority, the barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta.
The fourth crusade ended with a victory for the people; but Christian nations (as well as Muslim ones) were facing a new danger. And it was called — the Mongols. After passing through Rus’ with fire and sword, they were halted when the news of the death of Khan Ugedai arrived; but he returned to earthly existence with the help of evil spirits, and Batyi descended upon Byzantium and then Italy, only to be defeated by the combined efforts of many nations — at the very gates of Rome.
Taking advantage of the fact that the power of the Inquisition weakened during the war with the Mongols (there was no time for