Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Knights of the Temple II offers a robust third‐person action system that blends real‐time combat with light RPG progression. You control Paul de Raque, a Templar knight outfitted with three distinct weapon archetypes: the defensive sword and shield, the heavy‐hitting two‐hander, and a first‐person crossbow mode for ranged encounters. Each style feels unique, encouraging you to swap weapons mid‐battle depending on enemy type and group size. The tactical choice between a sturdy defense or high offense gives fights a satisfying ebb and flow.

Beyond pure combat, the game’s non‐linear structure lets you pick from three initial locations to pursue your primary quest—recovering ancient pagan artifacts to stave off demonic invasion. Cities function as hubs where you can accept side quests, trade with local merchants, and upgrade your gear. When you’ve stocked up on supplies and intel, a dungeon or wilderness map awaits, rife with monsters, ambushes, and environmental traps that keep exploration tense and rewarding.

The RPG elements come into play through experience points, which you allocate across three distinct trees: Knightly Abilities, Skill Abilities, and Combos. Knightly Abilities grant you holy-based powers, from healing spells to divine shields that can swing the tide in boss battles. Skill Abilities enhance attack patterns, unlocking new moves like sweeping sword arcs or piercing spear thrusts. Combo upgrades chain standard strikes into multi‐hit sequences, rewarding button‐mashers with stylish carnage.

Character progression feels meaningful, as each upgrade visibly changes Paul’s combat repertoire. You’ll find yourself returning to earlier areas to test new skills, whether that’s unloading a charged crossbow shot from a safe perch or charging headlong with a two‐handed hammer to obliterate weaker foes. Side‐quests and random encounters offer bonus experience and loot, subtly guiding you to explore every corner of the map. All told, the gameplay loop of questing, fighting, upgrading, and re‐questing remains engaging throughout the campaign.

Graphics

The visual presentation in Knights of the Temple II captures medieval Europe and the Middle East with a surprising level of detail for its era. Town squares bustle with NPCs going about daily routines—blacksmiths hammering at anvils, traders hawking wares, and children playing in fountain pools. Architectural styles shift convincingly between Gothic cathedrals, Ottoman‐inspired bazaars, and shadowed crypts, giving each region its own flavor.

Character models are well‐crafted, with distinct armor sets that reflect your progression. As you acquire new helms, breastplates, and gauntlets, you’ll notice subtle texture upgrades—polished steel becomes shinier, leather straps appear more worn, and ornamental flourishes catch the torchlight. Enemy designs range from armored knights to grotesque demons, each animated with fluid attack patterns that telegraph incoming strikes.

Lighting and particle effects add drama to key moments: shafts of sunlight streaming through stained glass windows, embers swirling around a flaming siege tower, and holy radiance pulsing from your activated divine abilities. Dungeon corridors are dim and foreboding, coaxing you to light torches or risk stumbling into ambushes. While some textures may feel dated by modern standards, the overall art direction remains consistent and immersive.

Combat animations stand out in particular. Sword parries, shield bashes, and crossbow reloads all carry weight, making each action feel impactful. When you unleash a combo or cast a Knightly Ability, the camera shakes just enough to underscore the power of the move. These visual cues are more than just eye candy—they also help you read enemy reactions and adapt your tactics on the fly.

Story

Set in the tumultuous 13th century, Knights of the Temple II follows Grandmaster Paul de Raque as he embarks on a desperate crusade to recover three ancient pagan artifacts. These relics hold the key to sealing away demonic armies threatening to spill into our world. The premise strikes a fine balance between historical crusading themes and supernatural stakes, giving you a noble cause that’s laced with mystical urgency.

The narrative unfolds non‐linearly, allowing you to choose your starting location and the order in which you pursue objectives. This structure adds replay value, as different questlines reveal new characters, side‐stories, and faction politics. In each city or town, you’ll meet locals whose personal dramas intertwine with the broader conflict—from villagers seeking revenge on marauding bandits to scholars who guard cryptic knowledge about the artifacts.

Dialogue and voice acting are serviceable rather than stellar, but they do an adequate job of conveying the gravity of your mission. Key cutscenes use close‐ups and cinematic camera angles to heighten emotional beats, such as a distraught mother imploring you to save her kidnapped child or a traitorous lord unveiling a hidden agenda. Though the writing occasionally lapses into cliché, it maintains a steady pace and offers enough twists to keep you invested.

Side‐quests further enrich the story by exploring local legends, hidden temples, and morally ambiguous choices. Do you slaughter all the bandits who raided a border town, or spare their leader when he offers vital information? These decisions rarely have major ramifications on the main plot, but they do shape your personal journey and how NPCs perceive you. Ultimately, the quest to gather the artifacts and prevent a demonic invasion provides a solid backbone for varied narrative detours.

Overall Experience

Knights of the Temple II delivers a satisfying mix of hack‐and‐slash action, RPG progression, and open‐ended questing. Its strengths lie in the diverse combat styles, non‐linear structure, and a richly detailed medieval world. Whether you’re storming a desert fortress with crossbow in hand or delving into a plague‐ridden crypt with holy magic ablaze, the game consistently offers scenarios that feel fresh and rewarding.

Some rough edges remain—occasional camera quirks, repetitive enemy types late in the game, and dialogue that can feel generic. Yet these issues rarely derail the core experience. The leveling system is deep enough to satisfy completionists without overwhelming casual players, and the loot progression keeps you motivated to explore every nook and cranny. Even after finishing the main questline, the urge to tackle leftover side‐missions or try a different order of locations can draw you back.

Performance is generally stable on modern hardware, though texture pop‐ins and brief loading screens remind you of the game’s vintage roots. Multiplayer modes are limited, making this primarily a solo endeavor, but the well‐paced campaign and atmospheric sound design more than fill that gap. A rousing orchestral score and ambient noises—from market chatter to monster roars—enhance the sense of immersion.

For fans of medieval action‐RPGs who appreciate a non‐linear storyline and varied combat mechanics, Knights of the Temple II remains a worthwhile adventure. Its combination of strategic weapon choices, ability upgrades, and open world exploration creates an engaging journey to reclaim powerful artifacts and save humanity from infernal doom. Even years after its release, the game’s core design still resonates with players seeking a knightly crusade against darkness.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10