Knights of Honor II - Honest Review

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is the long-awaited sequel of the original from 2004, nearly two decades later.
While KOH2 does have a lot to offer, it comes with a few catches that might turn off some players - let's take a closer look!
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0:00 - Intro
1:34 - Game Setting
2:09 - Win Conditions
2:28 - Summary Gameplay Overview
4:38 - Graphics & Visuals
5:33 - Combat Types
5:58 - Knights of Honor (2004) Battle Mode
6:22 - Knights of Honor 2 Battle Mode
7:32 - Legacy Game Design Issues
8:21 - Game Depth Discussion
9:12 - Multiplayer Support
9:36 - Recommendation for Players
10:10 - Conclusion
10:32 - Gamenoob Score
10:47 - Outro
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Tags: #Gamenoob #Review #KnightsofHonor2
game reviews, game commentaries, critical analysis of video games

[@GamenoobYT]

Hello everyone! Here's a medieval strategy game review in honor of those who came over from Age of Noob - stay tuned for more game reviews and commentaries!

[@kiearnhorne9382]

Great review showing the pros and cons and of the game. Most people focus too heavily on the good or bad depending on their opinion of the game, but you did a good job staying in the middle and just explaining both sides. The game is currently 50% off, so with this review I am convinced to give it a try

[@GamenoobYT]

Thank you!

[@shantyman161]

Really nice, short but complete review. subbed.

[@jaredjeffries6360]

Great video dude you had me at the intro :)

[@benlooy547]

This one has been on my wishlist for a long time since I too played and enjoyed the original. Kind of reminds me of "Lords of the Realm 2" from my childhood. It's a shame the combat is so disappointing. I hope this one improves on the few frustrating aspects of the original.

[@calebbrown9091]

Lords of the realm 2 was amazing! They just need to update it with better graphics

[@jamespurs]

Thank you for this review! Hope your new channel thrives, good luck noob

[@hirizero]

Amazing in depth review! By the tone and presentation I thought you had an extensive catalogue of reviews, but I see you are a "new" KZbinr, at least this channel is lol. Sub instantly after the video! Hoping for more reviews in the future, cheers friend and keep the good work.

[@social_ghost]

Really liked this review, this game reminds me of a game I played about ten years ago that was like a super simple version of Crusader Kings. Looking forward to more!

[@Salom3428]

Nice and honest review, appreciated :)

[@comack669]

Great review. Had never heard even an inkling about this series, and I love and know very well all the other games you mentioned.

[@GamenoobYT]

Thank you!

[@KazimirQ7G]

This quality of content is top notch. Thank you so much. I'm commenting to help engagement. I'm already subbed. Hope this channel grows as you deserve. Please, let your demonetization from Age of Noob be just a bad chapter in your content creator career.

[@GamenoobYT]

Thank you Kazimir. I appreciate the support!

[@Sztof666]

Your review doesn't differ much from the biggest companies reviews out there. Well done, man! Good stuff.

[@GamenoobYT]

Thank you :)

[@kristoph17]

Awesome review. Been thinking about this for a while, still not quite sold on it. I love how in-depth CK is, so this would probably feel too lacking for me.

[@GamenoobYT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lol.953]

Good luck on new channel

[@GamenoobYT]

Thank you!

[@akrendal5251]

Very nice review! Thank you. Definitely a game I will try out if I have the time and am in the mood for a macro strategy game! And on my Steam wishlist it goes 😊.

[@ping-factory]

I really enjoyed your explanations and analogies about the depth. Do you know any other modern "casual" strategy/city building games?

[@blyska]

Thank you! Loved and played all age of empires and knights of honor games. Agree with your comments! (I came from Age of Noob channel)

[@Niviuz]

great review! cool stuff! your review style remind me of "worth a buy" (and in the long shot, total biscuit that worth a buy learned from), not a bad thing! keep it up, i like this!

[@GamenoobYT]

Haven't heard of that channel, but I'll check it out. Thanks :)

[@MrSwordstroker]

This channel is going to take off man!

[@GamenoobYT]

Your photo makes this comment better :D

[@christiancastillo7324]

Wow very good review. New subscriber here! I hope your youtube grows

[@vipingeorgeabraham3835]

Nice review mate. Kept me engaged even though I am not that into the genre.

[@GamenoobYT]

Cheers :)

[@baloonman5]

Comment for the algorithm. I enjoy this content and hope for more soon

[@MacGuyver85]

Great review! Another game I'm completely unfamiliar with but looks interesting.

[@GamenoobYT]

Thanks for the visit! :)

[@jamesrobe5058]

I'll have to check it out!

[@henningr5323]

I hope they will improve the combat and release DLCs.

[@latifevrak]

I have no doubt that you will catch the popularity of your previous channel in a short time! Good luck!

[@GamenoobYT]

Thank you so much!

[@sforzz]

Good vid again!

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

Out of curiosity, what programs are you using to make these? For recording, video editing, etc.? Your videos always look very professional.

[@GamenoobYT]

Thanks! I use the paid version of DaVinci Resolve, but the good news is that they give out a free version of the program that does 90% of what most editors would even need. Check it out. :)

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

@@GamenoobYT Thanks! And I assume it's OBS for recording the footage?

[@GamenoobYT]

@@ArawnOfAnnwn Yes, I use OBS as it's simple to use and does the trick for me, but it doesn't matter which recorder you use tbh. I record at a high bitrate at 4k 60fps, so, even with KZbin's compression, the image still looks good at 1440p and above. :)

[@Dulc3B00kbyBrant0n]

the battle control override is just there as a little minigame to give you an edge if you need it... you shouldnt need to use it but its nice thats its there ive used it once and didnt see the need because there are easier ways to get ahead by planning

[@murattyngo]

Harika bir inceleme olmuş. Gerçekten dürüst.

[@pallavarora7467]

Have you tried Celtic Kings or any game series from Haemimont games.. they have different RTS settings not like typical AOE or Rise of Nation type.

[@GamenoobYT]

I'll check it out - thanks for the suggestion!

[@gentlesirpancakebottoms6692]

I really wished that this game had not necessarily more depth/complexity than the original, but more detail and some tweaks. Like the 9 court slots as you mentioned. It would be fine if there were only 9 slots for imporant positions in the court if armies were managed differently. And I also wished that titles and territories were handled differenlty as well. Like it was always weird to see an emperor/empire only having one province in the original. Such titles should be able to unlock/form like forming a kingdom when you have enough provinces. Like Germany/the holy roman empire should loose that status and be relegated to the Kingdom of Germany, or Grand Duchy of Germany if they have too few provinces. Knights of Honor is a great game. My gripe with the sequel is that it's Knights of Honor 1,5 and more of a remaster in a new engine. Its commendable that they managed to stay so true to the original in style and tone. Many games fail the tansition from 2d to 3d. But After probably 100+ hours in KOH 1 I cant help but be a little dissapointed in KOH 2 simply beacuse it adds so little new content that its essentailly the same game to a tee. And I've already played that game 100 of hours for almost two decades.

[@cybersteel8]

This looks interesting! On the surface I thought this was a Total War/Civ clone, but nah, it's got plenty of unique features! Looks very cool, though I am a nerd for the details, so more depth is always better for me :P Great review, noob!

[@alexsanderrain2980]

This is a great game to play in multiplayer.

[@Niviuz]

lets go great review second comment :D

[@silver12151]

I liked this game a lot and had a lot of fun with it conquering half of Europe with Bulgaria.

[@Sinred1]

I've played it on and off since launch. I wish it had more to offer especially late game. When I finally have money I wish to do fun things like spy stuff, diplomatic negotiations, priest actions. But all of these take incredible long time and have a chance to fail. Instead just get marshals, and conquer the enemy...

[@van_Wednesday]

for me kof2 is the better total war. not because it´s the better game, because i understand the mechanics and can enjoy it after a hard day of work. since total war rome i have no clue how the games work - and this is frustrating. so thank you for koh2. also the battles are ok for me - not the best, but they are ok.

[@holyhandgrenadeofantioch2234]

Loved the original. You are spot on with its accessibility. Could not bring myself to play grand strategy for long, but this one hit the spot. This new iteration is too much of the same for me. I quit after the first few battles. Absolutely atrocious handling, visuals, audio.... Will revisit it once they patched that aspect (if ever). Best of luck for your new channel! May yt choke on the money they stole from you and everybody else who's getting demonetized by their random ass algorithm.

[@GamenoobYT]

Thanks Holy Grenade - good to see you here as well. :)

[@MorleyGames1]

It bugs me that Newcastle is on the wrong side of the UK on here lol it’s a good game though!

[@MrWartime2]

100% agree with the combat part of this game should have ben left out and instead out more focus in other parts if i hade to choose i want a game with CK and KOH mixed into one

[@michaljandourek8058]

The lack of Marshalls on field is okay, you could hire the millitary camps to fight for you and you

[@DtemplarK]

6:25 Total War at home

[@julberndt]

nice video. Looks like this game is trying to be all strategy genres at the same time, i could see Age of Empires, Total War, Civilization, Crusader Kings. That is a lot, can't imagine ending a singel campaign in this game from all the things it is trying to be. I as an casual strategy games enjoyer, played a bit of AoE2 2013 online, then AoE3DE a lot in 2021 and 2022, and always had that thinking of: i wish i could learn how to play Crusader Kings 2, but i always play like shit, the tutorial there sucks, so i could play like some hours and then gave up. Only in 2023 when i bought the Crusader Kings 3 i finally was able to enjoy the game because the game is more easy to play, learn, tutorial is ok. And i am always looking to these other games to see if i can find something in betwen of complex management kingdom but enjoyable scenery of wars, i think Knights of Honor won't be this game.

[@GamenoobYT]

Well said, Creed Bratton. Well said.

[@yunusgroth1065]

Comment for the algorithm

[@roundy72]

we need a remake of Lords of the Realm II !!!!!!!!!!!

[@blecao]

I tend to like grand strategy games but i think i fall more into the complex side unfortunatly But well comments for the comments god

[@jossetteleguro4726]

i only like the real time and not turn base, so TW REAL time instead of turn base, perfect in my honest opinion.

[@muboizin]

I loved Knights of Honor exactly because I found Total War too complicated. It was a shame that the multiplayer was limited to the battles. I also found Total War battles too show.

[@roman5538]

i bought europa universalis 5 and it is too much to play with littoe investment, this sounds like a promising alternative. thanks

[@GamenoobYT]

Cheers :)

[@baileygregory9192]

Why cant u play as the rus

[@joostopteynde4975]

A comment for the algorithm bots

[@christiansmith1654]

Oh look a comment

[@khairinoa]

Im not that smart and can easily feel apprehensive when things are overly complicated. This game is just right for my intellectual level.

[@apolakigamingandmore6376]

*I hope your voice is okay....* 😅😅😅😅

[@mohaglade4892]

everything is amazing like you said and the combat and battle management is bad like you said It really turned me off!

[@LordSesshaku]

Regarding complexity: I have a different opinion. Paradox games like EU, HoI or even CK aren't really far more complex than KOH2, they're just more convoluted, have "more random events" and a high learning curve due to questionably UI design and game mechanics presentation. At the end of the day, once you understand the game, they become extremely repetitive and simple, exploitable even. Behind all those numbers and % bonuses that scare people away, they're really not that complex, they're just designed to look more complex than what they actually are. I enjoyed KOH2 campaign. The only downsides are the battles, and the fact that I would've preferred more of a "civilization-style" type of empire management, since it would add more diversity between games. It's definetely a better campaign map than TW, so that's for sure.

[@Aurinkohirvi]

I was so waiting for this game. But I decided not to buy it, because of the limited number of lords and how must they are to have. 1st that only marshals can recruit and lead armies. Second I heard that provinces where you have the economy lord (don't recall the name, governor/trader/whatever) makes this province's output hugely above everything else. That sounded so immersion breaking I thought I don't want anything to do with this sh_t. And then later, I saw the combat fiasco and I was glad I skipped it.

[@IlHansenIl]

Low barrier to entry? It looks almost identical to CK2 and you have that game down as too steep of a learning curve. Your opinion don't count for much if you're inconsistent.

[@kuki1824]

Played both og has much better art direction and music

[@romanabdel4653]

Basically Is the same game as the First One Just like mount and Blade and his sequel nothing changes

[@mrwolo4207]

everything is rng. makes it so annoying. The AI has no ability to think.