Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood is a 2002 stealth-based real-time strategy video game developed by Spellbound Studios. It is similar to games such as Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
and the Commandos series. In the game, the player controls up to five
characters in a setting based on the stories of the protagonist, Robin Hood. The player can also control Robin Hood's Merry Men, including Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Will Stutely, and Maid Marian.
Robin and his crew must evade the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham and his
henchmen and stop the machinations of the vile usurper to England's
throne, Prince John. However, Robin must avoid killing enemies as much
as possible, or he will not be able to recruit as many new Merry Men.
Gameplay
While the merry men can kill or wound enemy soldiers, their resources
are limited to a certain extent, with main characters having more than
minor miscellaneous ones. In addition, in every town, the player can
give money to beggars, who, when given coins and purses, help by
providing hints and tips. Common folk sometimes offer help as well
(although this happens very rarely). On the other hand, there are two
types of folk, who flee at the sight of a merry man, and alert nearby
enemy soldiers. One is a woman, who wears a red apron; the other, a man,
who wears a red-and-blue shirt. The greed of enemy soldiers is also
limited, with money purses not affecting sergeants, while ale does
affect them. Sometimes, money can be found in knights, cavalry units,
sergeants, and more rarely, normal soldiers.
Plot
The game starts with Robin Hood, arriving in Lincoln from the Crusades,
and finding out that his inheritance has been stolen by the notorious
Sheriff of Nottingham. After the player finishes the first and second
missions, meets with Maid Marian in the Nottingham cathedral, and
subsequently tries to meet with the Prince, it is understood that King
Richard has been kidnapped by Leopold of Austria for a ransom, and that
the Regent Prince John is unlawfully usurping the rightful king. The
responsibility of getting the ransom of £100,000 to save the king falls
into the player's hands. In the final mission, Robin must fight the
Sheriff, thereby defeating the Prince.
Characters
Robin Hood
Robin is a good all-around character. He can jump and climb, so he
can get anywhere on the map, and he can search bodies and knock out
enemies. On the downside, in strategic missions Robin uses a sword, so
if he gets into a fight he can only kill his opponent. (In ambush
missions, he gets to use a staff.)
Robin requires two punches to knock out officers, most knights, and
most black soldiers. All other soldiers only require one punch (this is
possibly linked to his combat skill).
Robin is required for every mission except for the one where you have to rescue him.
Stuteley
Stuteley is a good utility character. He can tie up unconscious
enemies, and he can unlock doors. He’s useful until Friar Tuck joins
you.
Maid Marian
Maid Marian is a little better than the aggressive merry. She heals
just like the aggressive merry, but her spy ability is great for
scouting.
Will Scarlet
Scarlet looks like a good character because his “catapult” (aka
slingshot) can knock out enemies from a distance. But the slingshot
doesn’t have much range, and it is difficult to target, and so Scarlet
isn’t as useful as he could be. However, the slingshot can knock out an
officer with a single shot, and Scarlet does come equipped with a flail,
which usually knocks out enemies rather than killing them, and so he’s
useful enough to have around in missions where you don’t have Little
John.
Scarlet’s slingshot will only daze knights for a moment, not knock them out.
Little John
His staff not only knocks people out, but it has a long range, so he
can take on and knock out several enemies at once. Plus, a single one of
his punches can knock out any enemy, and he can carry enemies around.
Little John is susceptible to archers. It takes him so long to stop
and pull an arrow out of his chest that archers have time to fire again,
and so a single archer can defeat him.
Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck and Stuteley are about the same character, since they both
tie up enemies and unlock doors. But Friar Tuck has more useful skills,
and his weapon is blunt so he’ll knock out enemies rather than kill
them. Once you get Friar Tuck, you should use him instead of Stuteley.
