There was a time, before iPhone and iPads, when sim games were one of the most popular styles of games not he market. Games like Starcraft, Warcraft (not to be confused with WoW), Sim City, Roller Coaster Tycoon, and many others could be found on computers across the country. They were games of strategy, adventure, and forethought, but eventually they faded as the focus shifted to first person games and realism. While the new style games certainly don’t disappoint, “Majesty: Northern Expansion” for iOS feels perfectly nostalgic.
“Majesty: The Norther Expansion” ($2.99 in the App Store) is the second re-release of the decade-old classic series. Originally released in 2001, Norther Expansion was an add-on package for the 2000 release of “Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim.” Twelve years later, Northern Expansion and the original Majesty are now available, separately, on iOS, and remain nearly unchanged.
Based in medieval times, the objective in Majesty is to build you kingdom, defend your castle, and become the most powerful force on the map. Much like in other sim games, the larger and more elaborate your village, the more challenging the game gets.
In Northern Expansion, your castle is set in a cold and snowy land. Recruiting warriors, archers, goblins, elves, and other mythical creatures, you are responsible for building your army to defend your land, as well as building elements of your village to help grow your strength. While your kingdom builds, you are attacked by opposing forces, monsters, trolls, giant rats, and other creatures. Protect your castle, and your survive. If your castle falls, the mission is over.
Majesty for iOS features two distinct playing styles: freestyle play, and scenario-based play. Freestyle is, as it sounds, simply building your kingdom, recruiting warriors, and defending your realm. Scenario-based play gives you missions, which require you to complete a task (or a set of tasks) in order to win and move on.
Graphic elements in “Majesty: Northern Expansion” have been dramatically improved since the original release more than a decade ago, which makes playing a very enjoyable experience. While graphics were clear and crisp, playing on an iPhone can be very challenging (due to screen size). Using an iPad made the experience feel easier, but touch targets on both the iPhone and iPad were iffy, which really gave it an authentic Windows 95 feel.
Being a fan of sim games, and an avid Majesty player at one point in my childhood, I found playing Northern Expansion on iOS to be just as I remembered it when I was young. Die-hard sim gamers and new users will really enjoy Majesty. The simple gameplay is easy to learn, and typically, questions can be answered using on-screen tool tips, which is also helpful when you’re not sure what is supposed to happen next.
If you’re looking for an excellent Sim game for your iDevices, check out “Majesty: Northern Expansion” for $2.99 in the App Store.