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King’s Bounty isn’t a new name for PC gamers. This turn-based tactical RPG, a predecessor to the iconic Heroes of Might and Magic, boasts a rich history and original gameplay. King’s Bounty: Ice & Fire, a DLC for King’s Bounty: Warriors of the North (the fourth installment since the 2008 remake of Legends by 1C Company and Katauri), plunges players into a fresh narrative, distinct storyline, and a new world brimming with challenges.

A World of Freedom and Exploration

A defining feature of the King’s Bounty series, including Ice & Fire, is the absence of traditional levels. The entire game world is the player’s playground, offering unparalleled freedom to explore, amass an army, battle creatures, and uncover hidden treasures. This open-world design sets it apart from successors like Heroes of Might and Magic. Players are not constrained by movement points or daily limits, allowing for unrestricted exploration. However, roaming monsters, especially within dungeons, pose a constant threat, requiring strategic movement and occasional stealth.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot showing a character exploring a snowy environment.

The RPG elements in Ice & Fire allow players complete control over their actions. Choosing whether, how, and when to undertake quests is entirely up to the player. The Viking-themed storyline provides a unique experience, contrasting with the medieval settings of previous installments.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot displaying the world map with various locations marked.

Tactical Combat and Character Progression

Encounters transition from the top-down exploration perspective to a familiar hex-grid battlefield reminiscent of Heroes of Might and Magic. Unit speed dictates turn order, and a key feature carried over from Warriors of the North is the variety of unit skills. This adds a layer of strategic depth, requiring players to utilize unit specializations effectively.

At the outset, players choose a character class: Viking (Warrior), Skald (Knight), or Soothsayer (Mage). Each class caters to different playstyles. Vikings excel in direct combat, Skalds boast high leadership for large armies, and Soothsayers wield powerful magic.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot depicting a battle scene with various units on a hex grid.

In addition to spell books, heroes utilize “Rage of the Valkyries,” a skill set influenced by the hero’s Rage meter, which increases during combat and decreases afterward. This mechanic encourages strategic retreat timing to maximize the effectiveness of these powerful abilities.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot showcasing the character's inventory and equipment.

Ice & Fire introduces unit leveling, adding another tactical dimension and increasing the value of preserving troops. Two new factions, Snow Elves and Necrolizards, further expand the already extensive unit roster, offering even more strategic options.

Shortcomings: Guidance and Graphics

Despite its strengths, Ice & Fire inherits some weaknesses from its predecessors. The lack of proper tutorialization remains a significant issue, throwing players into a complex world with minimal guidance. Excessively long dialogues, even for minor NPCs, often offer little substantial information, leaving quest objectives vague. While the open-world design encourages exploration, the lack of clear direction can be frustrating.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot showing a dialogue box with a character.

The sheer number of units, without a clear organizational system, makes mastering their stats and abilities challenging. The difficulty spikes in the latter half of the game, requiring a strong army to withstand enemy attacks, often pushing players towards mage classes for their powerful spells.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot showing a character casting a spell during battle.

A Frozen Legacy

While visually appealing, Ice & Fire’s graphics show little improvement over the original 2008 release. Despite the beautiful world and artistic design, the dated visuals can feel stagnant.

alt: King's Bounty: Ice & Fire gameplay screenshot displaying the game's environment with visible jagged edges on objects.

Conclusion

King’s Bounty: Ice & Fire offers a captivating blend of RPG and tactical combat, set in a vast and explorable world. While hampered by a lack of guidance and dated graphics, the engaging gameplay, strategic depth, and new features make it a worthwhile addition for fans of the series. However, newcomers may find the learning curve steep.