Released in the early 2000s, KnightShift (also known as Polanie II) is a charmingly unique blend of Real-Time Strategy (RTS) and Role-Playing Game (RPG) elements. Set in a vibrant, mystical world, it breaks the mold of traditional gritty medieval games by injecting a healthy dose of humor and a bright, colorful aesthetic.
The game offers three distinct modes: a traditional RTS campaign where you build villages and manage resources (most notably milk, which serves as the primary resource), a dedicated RPG mode focusing on hero development, and a skirmish mode for quick battles. You take on the role of a young prince attempting to reclaim his throne from an evil wizard, traversing through lush forests and dark dungeons.
What truly sets KnightShift apart is its character system. Instead of generic units, your characters gain experience, equip loot, and develop skills like they would in an RPG. Whether you’re commanding a squad of knights or a lone powerful sorceress, the tactical depth and quirky atmosphere make it a cult classic for fans of the “Warcraft meets Diablo” hybrid genre.
Key Features
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Dual Genre Gameplay: Seamlessly switches between deep RTS base-building and character-focused RPG questing.
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Unique Resource System: Forget gold and wood; cows and milk are the backbone of your economy and unit production.
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Over 20 Character Classes: Includes knights, archers, wizards, and even “Amazon” warriors with distinct abilities.
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Living World: Features a day/night cycle and weather effects that impact gameplay and visibility.
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Extensive Campaigns: Over 20 missions across three massive campaigns with branching objectives.
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Character Progression: Units earn experience points and can be equipped with over 1,000 different weapons and items.
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Humorous Narrative: A lighthearted script that parodies classic fantasy tropes.
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Cinematic Graphics: Utilizes an advanced (for its time) 3D engine with impressive lighting and particle effects.
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Robust Skirmish Mode: Play against AI or friends on a variety of maps with customizable rules.
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Dynamic Combat: Physics-based combat where terrain and positioning provide tactical advantages.
System Requirements
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OS: Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / 7 / 10 / 11
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Processor: Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon 450 MHz (1 GHz recommended)
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Memory: 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)
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Graphics: 3D Video Card with 16 MB VRAM (32 MB recommended)
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DirectX: Version 8.1 or higher
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Storage: 1.2 GB available hard drive space
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Sound: DirectX compatible Sound Card
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Input: Keyboard and Mouse
