Defender of the Crown | Electronic Jewel of 1986 | Retro Reviews

A review of Defender of the Crown, Cinemaware's first release and a totally groundbreaking game for its time (1986). It was the first to clearly demonstrate the technical capabilities of the Amiga. The Atari ST, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC version were also excellent.
This video reviews all the game's features: strategic map, tournament and joust, castle raid and lady rescue, fighting and siege... It compares the original Amiga release with the Atari ST version.

[@JonasRosenven]

I remember playing this game on tape on the C64. You literally spent more time loading than playing. I was so happy when I finally could afford a disc drive.

[@RetroDream]

More time loading than playing... All my childhood summarized there ;)

[@Seoulwanderer]

We got really good at reading books while we waited. Having played it recently on emulation, which cuts out the load times, I'm curious. Once it was loaded, you didn't need to load again during the game, did you? One thing that I hated about the Amstrad port is that it would load multiple times in a single turn of the game. UGH.

[@Seoulwanderer]

@@JonasRosenven having just done a play through of the Amstrad version without the benefit of fast load, I hear your pain! Through emulation, the C64 version is really fun!

[@c128stuff]

Still play this every so often. Its a very nice game, simple enough to be entertaining without having to invest a lot of time, good enough to still be entertaining 35 years on.

[@patanouketgersiflet9486]

I do have sweet memories of this game on my Atari ST. I played it quite a bit, beat it a couple oftimes. I remember staying at a German family's house, they had 2 boys. They had this game too, the 3 of us were quite fond of this game.

[@RetroDream]

Thanks for sharing! This channel is all about restoring sweet memories ;)

[@jackreeve3037]

This game is the reason I love story based games when I played this at 3 or 4 years old in 92 or 93 it blew my mind on the Atari STE there was nothing like it in terms of its depth its visuals and even the story telling how in just a few screens it felt like it was a full world built. I actually think the Atari version looks and sounds better than the Amiga version both from a nostalga and in practice purposes. This is still my number 1 game every time it may not of aged well in parts but for what it did both at the time of release and how it got me into gaming it'll always be top of my list. I learnt how to change floppys on my own at that age though due to the 4 disk 1 disk 2 changes you have to do loading up for 5 miniutes.

[@RetroDream]

I subscribe to every word.

[@jackreeve3037]

@@RetroDream I found out the other day the rights to Cinemaware games have yet again for about the 5th time been sold to a company that seem to only do mobile games but they have said they want to make versions for consoles so may se a remake or something one day I do enjoy the Robin hood DOTC game. But id love a more in depth more story version of DOTC kind of make the game reach its triuue potential they wanted in 86 maybe one day

[@Stefan_trekkie]

I had it on my 16 bit home PC .. But I had only mono colour (green) monitor at that time. I remember inserting the huge 5.25" floppy and entering A: doc.exe .. Years later I become fan of the legendary Heroes3 game.. Still play it and is always in my mind that 'doc' was something like a precursor to the H3

[@RetroDream]

Many thanks for sharing your experience. It's good to know how different people were discovering the game.

[@gammabyte5918]

Thanks man, loved the game, eventhough couldn't read english as a 10 year old.. Good times.

[@RetroDream]

Good times indeed! Thanks man.

[@RetroDawn]

I had an Atari ST since before this game came out for it. I loved this game on my Atari ST, but, when I saw (and heard) it on the Amiga, my mouth dropped. The graphics, sfx, and music were definitely substantially superior, especially the audio. And it didn't even come close to stretching the Amiga's capabilities. Even with the missing gameplay aspects, the Amiga is definitely my favorite version. The atmospheric experience is what makes this game, not the gameplay, which, on any platform, is as thin as the former is meaty--although it is still fun. One of these days I'll finally get to my age-old backburner project, and add the missing aspects to the Amiga original. Or remake the game from scratch with the Amiga graphics and audio and the extra gameplay features. There a CDTV version, as well, which just adds a CD audio soundtrack instead of the Paula-based one, and a voiceover/narration. There's additionally a sequel for CDTV and Amiga CD32 (OCS graphics only--no AGA support), created solely by Jim Sachs, the graphic designer of the original. It's really an enhanced remake.

[@RetroDream]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, experience and projects! You're right, the atmosphere made 90% of this game, not the play itself. Such an awesome one... Still I argue the ST version, although inferior to the Amiga, was really really great especially for that time: you can say it was among the first set of games available on this machine.

[@VoodooMcVee]

Ooh yes, Defender of the Crown! I remember that game very well. I really liked it and played it a lot, even though I couldn't understand a single word of English back then. But the tournaments, sieges and raids I stumbled upon by accident (more or less) were really fun.

[@RetroDream]

This game is full of memories for so many people... Incredible. Thanks for sharing your own experience.

[@jmsaguas77]

That was one of my favorite games back then. :) It really was fantastic in all aspects, gaming, graphics, everything! I had the ZX Spectrum version but played it also in the Amiga. It great video, thank you for the content. :)

[@RetroDream]

Really fantastic for its time. Thanks for sharing!

[@Grimmtombobulus]

Very well put together video, and given the amount of retro game videos I watch I'm surprised I never came across this one before. You've earned a sub. Keep it up, I can see you going far!

[@RetroDream]

Many thanks my friend, that's really appreciated. When people love what you do, it's your best reward.

[@colinthomson7518]

nice graphics and soundtrack. I had this for the Atari ST. the new version is good for the pc,

[@Seoulwanderer]

Awesome video, thank you for sharing!

[@RetroDream]

Thanks a lot!

[@JimLeonard]

While I don't always agree with your reviews (they are blinded by nostalgia), what I *do* appreciate, and why I am a loyal subscriber, is your passion for the industry of early personal computer software and the resulting artistic works of that time. Along those lines: You don't need professional voice talent. Your own narration conveys your passion better than hired talent. I hope you'll consider it.

[@RetroDream]

You're right, I'm too passionate to be good critic :) As for voice overs, are you sure you heard my actual voice yet? I'd be glad to do it myself, but I'd be getting endless complaints about my "French accent"...

[@JimLeonard]

@@RetroDream I must not have been aware that previous voices were also hired talent. :-O There is another retrocomputing channel on youtube where the producer has a french accent, but his videos are great and the accent is really no trouble at all. But if you are worried, I certainly won't "demand" you make videos a certain way. As long as you're having fun, that's the most important thing.

[@GeorgesChannel]

I also did not know thats not your real voice. :) It cannot have a worse accent than mine :) So you are from France?

[@RetroDawn]

@@RetroDream But you likely would call it a "Zee"X Spectrum. ;) I'm all for hearing the French accent. I think your passion is great and you're not likely blinded by nostalgia.

[@karmaisreal261]

Had this on Amiga 500. Was amazing

[@GeorgesChannel]

Great video! Never played this games because i am not into medieval games. But i knew about the graphics. Well done summary, i dont need to play it anymore :)

[@RetroDream]

Thanks, pal. Just let me guess... you were more into cars races and sims stuff, right? ;)

[@GeorgesChannel]

Yes and i had no chanche back then to to play all the games of the 16bit era. I had neither an Atari St or Amiga nor 286. I started 1993 with a 386 with VGA games...

[@geronimo5559]

Such a great channel. I subbed a few days ago after watching your "256 color revolution" video. Keep up the good work!

[@RetroDream]

Thanks a lot, sir, that's really appreciated.

[@keopsequinox1624]

Nice video. And that lovely CRT grain... :D

[@RetroDream]

oh yes this one ;)

[@RadRat1138]

I remember in 1987, age 9, playing King's Quest III at a friend's house in Houston on his dad's Apple II GS. I found the graphics to be groundbreaking at the time. I was *very* impressed. More so than even Defender of the Crown. But 1987 was a turning-point in the improved quality of computer games, to be certain.

[@RetroDream]

Yes definitely. There was also Barbarian from Psygnosis, not to mention Dungeon Master..

[@knoid1]

Nice summary of a great game. Just fyi, Geoffrey is pronounced the same as Jeffrey.

[@RetroDream]

Thanks for the info!

[@mrkitty777]

My name is pronounced as Kit Tee Why, but many say Kitty like a cat so Geoffrey and Jeffrey sounding same is confusing

[@bycromretrogamer7749]

Excellent video! The original Amiga version was definitely jaw-dropping but also far too simple / easy. I think the Atari ST version was a step up but still not my favorite port. I am particular to the C64, DOS, NES, and even Macintosh versions. All have excellent gameplay. Check out my videos sometime!

[@RetroDream]

Sure did, many thanks!

[@RetroDawn]

Wait. You prefer the C64, DOS, NES, and even Macintosh ports over the Atari ST port and Amiga original? Why??!! I get that you like the increased difficulty of the ports, but the Atari ST had all the added parts (although the NES port added at least one extra scene, but I'm pretty sure Cinemaware didn't design the changes to that port) and was, along with the IIGS port, by far the closest in graphics to the Amiga original. Have you tried the IIGS port? It was the last port made, until the CDi and CDTV ports, which had the Amiga gameplay, AFAIK. However, the atmospheric experience is what makes this game, IMHO, not the gameplay, which, on any platform, is as thin as the former is meaty--although it is still fun. One of these days I'll finally get to my age-old backburner project, and add the missing aspects to the Amiga original. Or remake the game from scratch with the Amiga graphics and audio and the extra gameplay features. There a CDTV version, as well, which just adds a CD audio soundtrack instead of the Paula-based one, and a voiceover/narration. There's additionally a sequel for CDTV and Amiga CD32 (OCS graphics only--no AGA support), created solely by Jim Sachs, the graphic designer of the original. It's really an enhanced remake.

[@bycromretrogamer7749]

@@RetroDawn In terms of the versions I like to actually play, I think the Commodore 64 version, the Macintosh version, and the NES versions are my favorites. Atari ST is okay but there is a strange bug involving the catapults that I can't figure out. The Commodore Amiga version is absolutely brilliant, and if it were only about presentation, that game would win by a longshot. And it absolutely deserves great honor and respect for its role in video game history. But it is way too easy if you know how to play. It's a fun little diversion, but the other ones are my favorite ports. I was unable to play the Apple IIGS version on real hardware, and the emulation for that game wasn't good so I'm not sure I can speak to its quality. I decided not to do any sequels or remakes for my series, just that first sort of launch of the game and its ports. I mean, there was even a PS2 version and a Nintendo DS version, so I had to draw the line somewhere. 🙂

[@mooseyman74]

Got the A500 mini so I could play this again, I still can't joust though. Or swordfight.

[@RetroDream]

Memories...

[@mooseyman74]

A big step forward from Seaquest in 1983 😄

[@davidwright9166]

Nobody can joust.

[@RetroDawn]

@@davidwright9166 My friend could win every single time. Amazed me. On Atari ST.

[@cryptoesquire3168]

Had on IIGS

[@impablomations]

"Zee Ex Spectrum"..... ....eye twitch....

[@RetroDream]

Yea ;)

[@allanallen1835]

they should remake this in unreal engine 5

[@RetroDream]

Great idea

[@mikesol1162]

This game had fantastic graphics and sound... and crap mini-game gameplay. Just like all Cinemaware titles.