Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Kohan II: Kings of War refines the real‐time strategy genre by streamlining resource management and emphasizing tactical decision‐making over base turtling. Instead of assigning dozens of worker units to harvest wood and stone, players construct specialized mines that automatically generate resources. This allows you to invest directly in your armies rather than juggling production chains, giving the game a faster, more focused pace.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Another hallmark of Kohan II’s gameplay is the regiment system. You don’t build individual soldiers one by one—instead, you recruit cohesive groups led by captains or heroes. Each regiment can field up to nine units if you’ve unlocked the necessary support structures. This abstraction reduces micromanagement and encourages players to think in terms of formations and group synergies, making battles feel more like commanding battalions than babysitting individual units.

Regiment persistence adds an extra layer of strategy. If your troops fall back behind your zone of control before suffering total annihilation, they regenerate health and even resurrect fallen members over time. This mechanic rewards tactical retreats and cautious engagements, making each skirmish a test of positioning and timing rather than a simple slugfest.

With five distinct factions and six playable races, each offering unique abilities and unit rosters, Kohan II provides a wealth of strategic options. The single‐player campaign features 32 missions across five varied environments, from frosty highlands to volcanic wastelands. Whether you prefer forging alliances with mercenaries or storming strongholds with monstrous armies, the game accommodates diverse playstyles.

Graphics

Though Kohan II debuted over a decade ago, its art direction still holds up thanks to richly detailed unit models and vibrant terrain assets. Each environment—forest, desert, marsh, tundra, and volcanic region—boasts distinct color palettes and atmospheric effects, ensuring that no two battlefields ever feel the same. Dynamic lighting and shadows further enhance immersion, especially when storms roll in or lava flows across the map.

Unit and hero portraits are hand‐painted with care, lending personality to every captain you recruit. In‐game animations, from archers nocking arrows to siege engines pounding castle walls, remain fluid and responsive. Even in large‐scale engagements with dozens of regiments clashing, the game rarely suffers from choppy frame rates on mid‐range hardware.

Spell effects and special abilities come to life with dazzling particle systems—fireballs scatter embers across the field, while frost spells leave ice crystals shimmering on the ground. The UI, though somewhat dated by modern standards, is clean and unobtrusive, placing key information about resources, army morale, and hero skills at your fingertips without cluttering the screen.

Map textures and environmental props are crisp enough to discern choke points, resource deposits, and hidden pathways at a glance. This clarity not only looks good but plays a functional role in planning your tactics. Overall, Kohan II’s graphics strike a fine balance between aesthetic flair and practical readability, serving both immersion and gameplay.

Story

Kohan II opens on a world where good has grown complacent, letting evil forces gather strength in the shadows. Peaceful kingdoms find themselves divided by internal strife, and monstrous invaders creep across borders to seize the advantage. This classic setup—one part high fantasy, one part political intrigue—drives a narrative that feels familiar yet engaging.

The campaign unfolds through the perspectives of multiple characters, from ambitious human captains fighting civil wars to elemental creatures seeking to restore balance. Each faction’s storyline weaves into a larger tapestry, revealing shifting loyalties, unexpected betrayals, and the true mastermind behind the resurgence of darkness. Cutscenes and voiced dialogues punctuate key plot moments, giving weight to each mission’s objectives.

Missions are tied closely to the overarching narrative, ranging from reconnaissance in enemy territory to all‐out assaults on fortified citadels. Side quests offer optional challenges—rescuing refugees, reclaiming lost relics, or forging temporary alliances—that enrich the lore and provide valuable rewards for thorough explorers.

While the tale doesn’t break new ground in fantasy storytelling, the interplay of five factions and six races keeps the plot dynamic. You’ll witness how dwarf clans clash over precious minerals, orcs struggle with ancient prophecies, and the enigmatic Loghain commit to arcane rituals. This variety ensures that each chapter brings fresh motivations and strategic twists.

Overall Experience

Kohan II: Kings of War delivers a solid, polished RTS experience that rewards strategic planning and adaptability. Its streamlined resource system and regiment mechanics set it apart from contemporaries, reducing busywork while elevating battlefield tactics. Whether you’re carving out a foothold in the early game or orchestrating late‐game collapses, the flow of play remains engaging.

The learning curve is gentle enough for newcomers to grasp the basics quickly, yet the depth of faction and unit interactions offers plenty of complexity for veterans. AI opponents provide a respectable challenge, and skirmish modes let you tinker with custom maps and settings to perfect your strategies.

Multiplayer remains active through community‐run lobbies and fan‐made balance patches, extending replay value long after the single‐player campaign ends. Cooperative modes let you team up against the AI, while competitive matches showcase the best tactical minds vying for supremacy in custom scenarios.

With its enduring design, memorable factions, and distinctive mechanics, Kohan II stands as a testament to thoughtful RTS development. If you seek a title that prioritizes large‐scale maneuvers, meaningful army composition, and strategic depth over relentless micromanagement, this classic is well worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10