Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Strategy
- Platforms: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, DOS, Sega Saturn
- Developers: Silicon Knights, Toys for Bob
- Publishers: BMG Interactive, Crystal Dynamics, U.S. Gold, Vise
The Horde (1994): A Strategic Defense Classic
Released in 1994 by Toys for Bob, The Horde is a real-time strategy game that tasks players with defending their village from waves of invading Hordlings. Players take on the role of Chauncey, a humble serving lad who saves his king from choking on a fishbone and is rewarded with a magical sword, Grimthwacker, and a village to protect.
The Horde is a unique blend of strategy and action. Players must use their wits and reflexes to fend off the relentless hordes of Hordlings, who come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique abilities. Some Hordlings are fast and agile, while others are slow and powerful. Some can fly, while others can burrow underground.
To defend against the Hordlings, players must build a variety of towers and traps. Towers can be used to attack the Hordlings directly, while traps can be used to slow them down or damage them. Players must carefully place their towers and traps in order to maximize their effectiveness.
In addition to building towers and traps, players can also use their magical sword, Grimthwacker, to attack the Hordlings. Grimthwacker is a powerful weapon, but it can only be used for a limited time each day. Players must use Grimthwacker wisely in order to get the most out of it.
As players progress through the game, they will earn experience points that can be used to upgrade their towers, traps, and Grimthwacker. Upgrading these items will make them more powerful and effective against the Hordlings.
The Horde is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique blend of strategy and action. With its charming graphics, addictive gameplay, and endless replayability, The Horde is a classic game that is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Gameplay
The Horde is a real-time strategy game in which players take on the role of Chauncey, a humble serving lad who has been tasked with defending his village from waves of invading Hordlings. Players must use their wits and reflexes to build towers and traps, and to use their magical sword, Grimthwacker, to fend off the relentless hordes of Hordlings.
The game is played on a grid-based map. Players can build towers and traps on any of the squares on the map. Each type of tower and trap has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players must carefully place their towers and traps in order to maximize their effectiveness.
In addition to building towers and traps, players can also use their magical sword, Grimthwacker, to attack the Hordlings. Grimthwacker is a powerful weapon, but it can only be used for a limited time each day. Players must use Grimthwacker wisely in order to get the most out of it.
As players progress through the game, they will earn experience points that can be used to upgrade their towers, traps, and Grimthwacker. Upgrading these items will make them more powerful and effective against the Hordlings.
The Horde is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique blend of strategy and action. With its charming graphics, addictive gameplay, and endless replayability, The Horde is a classic game that is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Development
The Horde was developed by Toys for Bob, a video game development company founded in 1989. The game was originally conceived as a sequel to Toys for Bob’s previous game, Star Control. However, during development, the game evolved into a unique and standalone title.
The Horde was released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The game was a critical and commercial success, and it was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and addictive gameplay.
Legacy
The Horde is considered to be one of the best real-time strategy games ever made. The game’s unique blend of strategy and action, as well as its charming graphics and addictive gameplay, have made it a classic game that is still enjoyed by gamers today.
The Horde has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo Switch. The game has also been released on a number of digital distribution platforms, such as Steam and GOG.com.
In 2019, Toys for Bob released a remastered version of The Horde for the Nintendo Switch. The remastered version features updated graphics and sound, as well as a number of new features, such as online multiplayer and a level editor.
Critical Reception
The Horde received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and addictive gameplay. Many reviewers compared the game to the classic real-time strategy game Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, and some even said that The Horde was the better game.
The Horde was also a commercial success. The game sold over one million copies worldwide, and it was one of the best-selling games on the SNES.
Awards
The Horde won a number of awards upon its release, including:
- Game of the Year from Electronic Gaming Monthly
- Best Strategy Game from GamePro
- Best SNES Game from Nintendo Power
Cultural Impact
The Horde has had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game’s unique blend of strategy and action has inspired a number of other games, such as the Pikmin series and the Overlord series. The game’s charming graphics and addictive gameplay have also made it a favorite among gamers of all ages.
The Horde is a classic game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and addictive gameplay have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.
Review Score
8/10
