'The Hundred Years War' Online Game

That's the gameplay, but what's the history like? As mentioned above, the beginning nobles were real people who you can study and replicate, a step above most other medieval 'themed' games. The combat system helps replicate the advantage British armies seemed to have over their large French counterparts while still allowing for upsets, although the game is just about strategy: there are no battlefield tactics.

The need to keep a greedy, power mad and frequently arrogant pope on side is accurate, although the need to balance pleasing your nobles with keeping the war funded is frequently lacking; yes money can be spare, but almost everyone is there to fight, not maintain peace. The pressure a nobleman feels for healthy sons is certainly present, although a very modern approach to divorce runs through people's action.

Diplomacy also doesn't reproduce the past correctly, but the makers can't be faulted for the mindset of some twentieth century players who simply want war and whose idea of diplomacy involves asking 'Join Me?' followed by increasingly vulgar threats. The Hundred Year War homepage claims this is a thinking players' game, but I'm afraid this isn't currently true, although the players are of an above average age for online games and more professional than most. However, this certainly isn’t a game for children.

Overall, The Hundred Years War is a game with plenty of potential hamstrung by bugs, under development and the attitude of the people in charge. A graphical interface isn't essential, but it's rare for a web or map based game not to have one in the new millennium. The staff is under pressure, but the attitude of some simply isn't good enough for a game you pay to play. On the flipside, the sense of camaraderie and teamwork you experience on a good team (and it's easy to land on a bad team, leaving you to risk imprisonment by turning traitor) is a glorious thing. The cost, a few dollars per noble per month, is certainly competitive, but so it has to be. Required gameplay time can be a few minutes a week or hours.

Please note: the staff currently aren't doing enough to protect players from the violent threats of other. As such, I cannot recommend the game and have removed all of its stars.