View source for Crusaders of Might and Magic

{{Short description|1999 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Crusaders of Might and Magic
|image = CrusadersOfMightAndMagicBox.jpg
|caption= North American cover art
|developer = [[The 3DO Company]]
|publisher= The 3DO Company
|director= {{ubl|Joshua Cloud <small>(Windows)</small>|Dave Georgeson <small>(PlayStation)</small>}}
|producer= {{ubl|Jennifer Hubbart <small>(Windows)</small>|David Downing <small>(PlayStation)</small>}}
|designer= {{ubl|Erik Robson <small>(Windows)</small>|Bruce Adams <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Eric Brown <small>(PlayStation)</small>}}
|programmer= {{ubl|Sean Craig <small>(Windows)</small>|Jean-Paul Cossigny <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Hugh David <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Jason Hoerner <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Lon Meinecke <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Scott Osborn <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Wendy White <small>(PlayStation)</small>}}
|artist= {{ubl|Michael Wallin <small>(Windows)</small>|Yu-Fen S. Croddy <small>(PlayStation)</small>|Paul Forest <small>(PlayStation)</small>}}
|writer= 
|composer= {{ubl|[[Rob King|Robert King]] <small>(Windows)</small>|Womb Music <small>(PlayStation)</small>}}
|series= ''[[Might and Magic]]''
|platforms= [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
|released= '''Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|December 14, 1999<ref>{{cite web|last=Fudge|first=James|date=December 14, 1999|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/001/crusaders2.html|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic Ships|website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030709141207/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/001/crusaders2.html|archive-date=July 9, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>}}'''PlayStation'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|February 28, 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_022800.html|title=3DO Ships Crusaders of Might and Magic(TM) for PlayStation(R) Game Console|website=[[The 3DO Company]]|date=February 28, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417140341/http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_022800.html|archive-date=April 17, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref>|EU|2000}}
|genre= [[Action role-playing]]
|modes= [[Single player]]
}}

'''''Crusaders of Might and Magic''''' is a 1999 [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] [[action game|action]]/[[Role-playing video game|RPG]] video game developed and published by [[The 3DO Company|3DO]]'s [[Austin, Texas]] studio (PlayStation) and Redwood Shores studio (PC). Different versions of the game were released for both [[Microsoft Windows]] and the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].

==Development==
The Windows version of the game was intended for simultaneous release with the PlayStation version, targeting the 1999 [[Christmas#Economy|Christmas season]]. However, while the PlayStation team had been working on their version for several years, the Windows team was given only 7 months to generate a full-length game's worth of [[asset]]s and retrofit an existing [[Requiem: Avenging Angel|first-person shooter engine]] to handle third-person combat. In the end, both games shipped for Christmas, though received lukewarm reviews.

==Plot==
The game takes place in the [[fiction]]al [[Might and Magic]] universe, upon the world of Ardon. The prologue depicts the burning of a small village in the Fairfield Lowlands by the Legion of the Fallen, an [[undead]] army under the command of Necros, a paragon among [[Necromancer]]s who sold his soul to the dark gods in exchange for unparalleled sorcerous aptitude.

A young boy named Drake, the only survivor of the massacre, escapes into the [[forest]]s of Duskwood and roams Ardon for years, seeking revenge against the undead. During an attack on his camp by [[Ogres]], Drake is saved by the blind hermit Nomandi, who becomes Drake's [[mentor]] over the next few years.

The first playable portion of the PlayStation version takes place in Stronghold following Drake's capture by Shamblers, the lowliest of the undead. Drake escapes Stronghold with the aid of Celestia, Lady Archon of Citadel, and is enlisted into the ranks of the valiant [[crusaders]] under her rule.

Traveling to Corantha, city of the [[dwarf (mythology)|Dwarves]], Drake enters an agreement with Prince Dain Stonefist against the Ironpick [[Rebellion|rebels]] who attack the city from within, exposing Dain's brother, Tor, as an agent for the Legion. Travelling to Duskwood, Drake retrieves the Coranthan Scepter of Regency from a band of Ogres with the aid of the [[insect]]oid Dashers and their leader, Tamris.

Returning to Corantha, Drake discovers that Earth [[Elemental]]s have awakened while both Dain and Tor have gone missing, with the Ironpicks continuing to battle the Stonefists. Drake navigates the deep mines and defeats the revenant of King Aiden, Dain's recently slain father raised through [[necromancy]], thereby saving the Prince and gaining Corantha's favour against the undead.

Returning to Citadel, Drake is then tasked with retrieving a talisman named the Star of [[Heroes of Might and Magic III|Erathia]] from the northern [[Glaciers]] to aid in the war effort. After doing so, he returns to Duskwood to combat the Legion in the [[Larva|grub]]-infested tunnels below the forest floor, successfully destroying Necros' supply lines. With this victory in hand, he travels back to Stronghold, to aid Celestia's crusaders and the Dwarves in the final siege against the Legion's bastion.

Upon his arrival, Drake encounters Celestia fleeing the battlefield, and finds the leader of the crusaders, Captain Ursan, missing. Nevertheless, while the crusaders fight on the front lines, he penetrates the walls of Stronghold, battling the Legion's armies. Drake finally comes face-to-face with Necros in Stronghold's depths, but the wily Necromancer departs through a portal, leaving the crusader to combat his lieutenants. Drake claims victory, and follows the Necromancer through the portal.

Finding himself in Necros' floating [[battleship]], Drake discovers Necros' forces docked at a massacred, Legion-occupied Citadel. Drake fights his way to Celestia's throne room, finding no sign of the Lady Archon. He then comes upon a hidden chamber filled with arcane, [[futuristic]] mechanisms, discovering an elevator leading to an outer-world location. There, he finds Necros standing before an enormous interdimensional portal - the [[Kreegan]] Gate.

Necros claims that Celestia sought the power of the Kreegans just as much as he did, taunting Drake into doing battle. Instead of attacking the invincible Necromancer, Drake destroys the Gate itself, causing a rift in space. Drake targeted the outer pillars with Exploding Gems right where the bolts of electricity travel to the Kreegan Gate. Necros is drawn through the Gate's portal, screaming promises of revenge against Drake. Drake, triumphant, returns to Citadel, finding the crusaders victorious against the Legion. With Celestia still in hiding from Necros and her newly enlightened armies, Drake becomes the Lord Archon of Citadel, and the new leader of the crusaders.

Numerous aspects of the storyline differ in the Windows version. Before reaching the Citadel, Drake must pass through the small village of Cador-Sûl, which is not present in the PlayStation version. Also, Prince Dain must be rescued from the Ironpicks before he can be spoken to, and Tor is not present. Two dungeon-like locations, the Catacombs and the fallen Starship, are accessible only in the Windows version. Ursan plays a larger role, Celestia does not flee Citadel and the final battle takes place on Necros' Battleship, with no mention of the Kreegan Gate.

==Gameplay==
In both the Windows and PlayStation versions, Drake starts with no [[weapon]]s, but the player can quickly find a melee [[weapon]] and [[shield]]. The game is partially [[combat]]-oriented, though features an inventory system with a range of equipment to locate and choose from. While the Windows version features a simple [[experience]] system which involves defeating enemies to [[Experience level|level up]], the PlayStation version expands upon this, allowing the player to improve their skill with individual weapons, spells and [[projectile]]s through battle.

Drake himself also gains in experience as he defeats enemies. With each new experience level, he is restored to full health and gains an increase in maximum hit points, mana and offensive ability. The game has three difficulty levels to choose from. Selecting an increased difficulty rating primarily affects Drake's ability to dodge and attack enemies.

Over the course of the game, the player can discover [[Magic (gaming)|spell]] [[book]]s which allow Drake to cast new spells (or, in the Windows version, upgrade spells they already possess). Both versions employ spells which cost mana to be cast. Spells also have a brief casting time, during which Drake is vulnerable to attack.

While similar locations are present in each, both versions of the game feature vastly different level design. One such common location is the Citadel, a floating city depicted as a standard [[medieval]] castle in the Windows version, with conches and shell-like structures prominent in the PlayStation's variation. Other similar areas include Duskwood, populated by the tribe-like Dashers, Corantha, the underground realm of the Dwarves, Stronghold, the bastion of the Legion of the Fallen, and the Glaciers in southern Ardon, populated by hostile snow-dwelling creatures.

The PlayStation version features the ability to "empower" weapons and armor by purchasing [[elemental]]-, [[essence]]- and [[aether (classical element)|aether]]- based talismans and runes, attuning each to different properties - respectively Fire, Earth, Water, Air; Spirit, Mind, Body; and Light and Dark. Every individual character in the game is based upon one of these nine properties, and use of separate runes and talismans allows the player to defeat certain foes more easily.

In addition, the PlayStation version contains a [[New Game Plus]] feature. Completing the game on any of the three difficulty levels unlocks a "Special" difficulty level, which grants the player all weapons, spells, talismans, runes and infinite items at the outset.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| GR_PC = 53%<ref name=GRPC>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197009-crusaders-of-might-and-magic/index.html|title=Crusaders of Might & Magic for PC|website=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506005603/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197009-crusaders-of-might-and-magic/index.html|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>
| GR_PS = 60%<ref name=GRPS>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197010-crusaders-of-might-and-magic/index.html|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic for PlayStation|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501101115/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197010-crusaders-of-might-and-magic/index.html|archive-date=May 1, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>
| Allgame_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Nguyen|first=Cal|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20606&tab=review|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic (PC) - Review|website=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116053202/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20606&tab=review|archive-date=November 16, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| Allgame_PS = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Briggs|first=Rich|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20306&tab=review|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic (PS) - Review|website=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116043011/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20306&tab=review|archive-date=November 16, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| CNG_PC = 6/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Dembo|first=Arinn|date=January 20, 2000|url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-3648,00.html|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic (PC)|website=Gamecenter|publisher=[[CNET]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816092006/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-3648,00.html|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| CGSP_PC = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Hunt|first=David Ryan|date=January 6, 2000|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/095/crusadersmm_review.html|title=Crusaders of Might & Magic|website=Computer Games Strategy Plus|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030702053634/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/095/crusadersmm_review.html|archive-date=July 2, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Green|first=Jeff|url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_189.pdf|title=It Mighta' [sic] Been Magic (''Crusaders of Might and Magic'' Review)|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=189|date=April 2000|page=90|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411071127/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_189.pdf|archive-date=April 11, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>
| EGM_PS = 3.125/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Boyer|first1=Crispin|last2=Hsu|first2=Dan|last3=Johnston|first3=Chris|last4=Hager|first4=Dean|url=https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-1737-143.jpg|title=Crusaders of Might & Magic|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=128|date=March 2000|page=143|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030908/https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-1737-143.jpg|archive-date=June 15, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>{{efn|In ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''{{'}}s review of the PlayStation version, two critics gave it each a score of 3/10, one gave it 2.5/10, and another gave it 4/10.}}
| GI_PS = 7.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fitzloff|first=Jay|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4677|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic - PlayStation|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[FuncoLand]]|issue=83|date=March 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206161800/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4677|archive-date=December 6, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 5.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Steve|date=December 23, 1999|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crusaders-of-might-and-magic-review/1900-2538473/|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000"]|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610161249/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crusaders-of-might-and-magic-review/1900-2538473/|archive-date=June 10, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS = 6.7/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|date=April 19, 2000|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crusaders-of-might-and-magic-review/1900-2558075/|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "March 20, 2001"]|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205010340/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/crusadersofmightandmagic/review.html|archive-date=December 5, 2004|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>
| GSpy_PC = 67%<ref>{{cite web|last=Eccles|first=Allen|date=January 12, 2000|url=http://www.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/crusadersofmm_a.shtm|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic|website=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020612092233/http://www.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/crusadersofmm_a.shtm|archive-date=June 12, 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 4/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Trent C.|date=December 22, 1999|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/23/crusaders-of-might-magic|title=Crusaders of Might & Magic (PC)|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614230453/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/23/crusaders-of-might-magic|archive-date=June 14, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>
| IGN_PS = 3/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishop|first=Sam|date=March 20, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/21/crusaders-of-might-and-magic-2|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic (PS)|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209040409/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/21/crusaders-of-might-and-magic-2|archive-date=February 9, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>
| NGen_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=NGen>{{cite magazine|last=Erickson|first=Daniel|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen63Mar2000/page/n95/mode/2up|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic (PC)|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|issue=63|date=March 2000|page=95|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref>
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Rybicki|first=Joe|url=https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-2000-03/page/n97/mode/2up|title=Crusaders of Might & Magic|magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|volume=3|issue=6|date=March 2000|page=98|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| PCA_PC = 3/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ham|first=Tom|url=https://archive.org/details/PCXL19Mar2000/page/n99/mode/2up|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic|magazine=[[PC Accelerator]]|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=19|date=March 2000|page=96|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
| PCGUK_PC = 59%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic|magazine=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]]|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|year=2000}}</ref>
}}

The game received a good amount of [[Promotion (marketing)|hype]], especially as a result of being considered ''[[true 3D]]'' and its supposedly revolutionary ideas.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} However, it received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[GameRankings]].<ref name=GRPC/><ref name=GRPS/> Daniel Erickson of ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' said of the PC version, "All things ''Might and Magic'' no longer shine. Keep clear of this failed experiment."<ref name=NGen/>

In one review, Jake the Snake of ''[[GamePro]]'' said of the PlayStation version, "If you like RPGs, third-person action, and puzzle solving, you'll probably enjoy ''Crusaders''. The action will seem slow, however, for more casual 3D adventurers."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Jake The Snake|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d6/GamePro_US_139.pdf|title=Crusaders of Might and Magic (PS)|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=139|date=April 2000|page=102|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925184638/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d6/GamePro_US_139.pdf|archive-date=September 25, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the PlayStation version two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and control, and two 4/5 scores for sound and fun factor in one review.}} However, The Freshman said of the same console version in another review, "There are better games like this on the PSX already, notably [[Eidos Interactive|Eidos]]' ''[[Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver|Soul Reaver]]'' and the ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' series. If you really need ''Might & Magic'', play it on a friend's PC. This translation has neither the strength nor the soul to battle for the best on PlayStation."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=The Freshman|date=March 16, 2000|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/4968.shtml|title=Crusaders of Might & Magic Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040928230754/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/4968.shtml|archive-date=September 28, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the PlayStation version two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and overall fun factor, and two 3/5 scores for sound and control in another review.}}

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/2487/crusaders-of-might-and-magic/|name=''Crusaders of Might and Magic'' (Windows)}}
*{{moby game|id=/141364/crusaders-of-might-and-magic/|name=''Crusaders of Might and Magic'' (PlayStation)}}

{{Might and Magic series}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crusaders Of Might And Magic}}
[[Category:1999 video games]]
[[Category:The 3DO Company games]]
[[Category:Action role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Might and Magic spinoff games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Windows games]]