Knights of the Round

Knights of the round table, blocking blows and a sword that grows stronger with every victory. Knights of the Round by Capcom brings the legend of King Arthur into the world of arcade brawlers and enriches the genre with features that were far from standard at the time. The game belongs to the famous family of Capcom beat 'em ups from the early nineties.

Unlike most street brawlers of the era, the game added two distinctive elements. The first is the ability to block attacks, which brings a tactical dimension to the fights and rewards players for well-timed defense. The second is a character development system: defeating enemies earns you experience, you level up, and both your gear and appearance change. This role-playing touch gave the game a sense of progression that was uncommon in the genre.

The player chooses from a trio of knights, among them King Arthur himself and his companions, each offering a different fighting style and a different balance between speed and strength. The combat is built on sword slashes, blocking and grapples, rounded out by battles against inventive bosses drawn from Arthurian legend. Co-op once again boosts the fun and turns the fight toward the round table into a shared adventure.

Visually the game benefits from Capcom's trademark quality. Detailed sprites, fluid animation and environments inspired by medieval England create the atmosphere of a heroic saga. The characters' changing gear as they level up is a pleasant visual bonus that underscores the feeling of progress.

Knights of the Round ranks among the titles with which Capcom pushed the boundaries of the genre. Together with Final Fight, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and Captain Commando it forms the peak of street brawlers and proves that even brisk arcade action can carry real depth.

Why play: For fans of Capcom brawlers who will appreciate blocking, character progression and Arthurian legend wrapped in a snappy co-op scrap.