Gameplay and design
Knights of Valour 2 Plus is a side-scrolling beat 'em up in which players take on the role of generals from the Three Kingdoms era, battling through hordes of enemies. The game supports up to four players simultaneously, making for a lively experience in arcade halls. Controls are straightforward: an eight-way joystick and four buttons for attack, jump, item use, and magic. While easy to pick up, mastering combos requires practice and skill.
The game's standout feature is its magic system. Players can expend energy to unleash various spells, ranging from area-of-effect damage to healing allies or altering the battlefield. This mechanic was uncommon in similar games at the time, giving Knights of Valour 2 Plus a unique edge among side-scrolling beat 'em ups and offering players more strategic options.
Character selection includes the Five Tiger Generals, Zhuge Liang, Diao Chan, and others. Each character has distinct attack styles and magical abilities; for instance, Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade deals heavy damage, while Zhuge Liang's spells lean toward support and crowd control. Players can choose characters based on personal preference or team needs, and different combinations yield varied tactical effects.
Level design is intricate, with each stage featuring different enemies and bosses, and settings ranging from plains to cities, forests, and water fortresses. Hidden items and secret paths encourage exploration and replayability. Additionally, a scoring system rewards players for combos and item collection, providing a challenge for those aiming for high scores.
As a revision, Knights of Valour 2 Plus adjusts character balance, fixes bugs, and introduces new elements compared to the original. These changes refine the overall experience and give returning players a fresh feel, while the core gameplay remains focused on cooperation and skill.
Background and release
Knights of Valour 2 Plus was officially released in August 2001 as a revision of Knights of Valour 2, developed by IGS on the PGM board. In the series timeline, it follows the original Knights of Valour 2 and stands as a distinct version, separate from later iterations like Knights of Valour 2: Nine Dragons and Knights of Valour 2: Heroes, each with its own features and identity.
The game is set in the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China, with a story adapted from the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Players assume the roles of Shu Han generals fighting to restore the Han dynasty. While the narrative is not the focus, the familiar characters and setting resonate strongly with Chinese players, contributing to the series' widespread appeal.
In the MAME emulator, the ROM is identified as kov2p, with titles reflecting multiple regional versions. The game was released under slightly different names in Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Japan—for example, the Japanese title is "Sangoku Senki 2 Plus"—but the core content remains consistent. This multi-region release strategy highlights IGS's attention to international markets.
From a series perspective, Knights of Valour 2 Plus serves as a bridge. It builds upon the gameplay framework of the original Knights of Valour and refines it, while also laying groundwork for later titles like Knights of Valour: Seven Spirits. As a pivotal entry, it solidified loyalty among veteran players and offered newcomers an accessible starting point.
Even as the arcade market declined, Knights of Valour 2 Plus managed to launch and maintain a degree of popularity, underscoring the series' vitality. Though it did not cause the same sensation as the original, it remains a beloved classic among core players, worthy of repeated play.
Development
Knights of Valour 2 Plus was developed by Taiwan-based IGS and runs on the company's proprietary PolyGame Master (PGM) board. The PGM board was considered powerful for its time, delivering detailed graphics and smooth animation. The main CPU is a Motorola 68000 running at 20 MHz, with auxiliary Zilog Z80 and ARM7 processors handling sound and I/O control, respectively.
For audio, the PGM board utilizes an ICS2115 WaveFront synthesizer chip, capable of producing rich sound effects and background music. However, the game's audio output is monaural, which was not uncommon in arcade games of that era. Although the hardware specs may seem modest by today's standards, they were sufficient to meet the game's needs and provided players with a satisfying audiovisual experience.
The game's support in the MAME emulator is noteworthy. It was first emulated in MAME version 0.102u5, released on December 22, 2005. Since then, the MAME team has continued to maintain and update the game, and it remains playable in the latest version, 0.289. However, emulation is not perfect; there are some sound issues, likely due to hardware protection measures or incomplete emulation of the audio chip.
During development, the IGS team made careful adjustments to the original Knights of Valour 2. They incorporated player feedback to optimize character balance and fixed known bugs. Additionally, they introduced new gameplay elements, such as new items and magic effects, enriching the content. These changes, though modest, reflect the development team's commitment to quality.
Notably, the ROM version in MAME is ver. M205XX, 200, 100CN, with clone versions like kov2p205. These version details reflect different production batches and regional variations. For emulator enthusiasts, such information aids in understanding the game's version history.
Reception and legacy
Knights of Valour 2 Plus enjoys a positive reputation among players, especially in Chinese-speaking arcade communities, where it evokes shared memories. The four-player cooperative mode allows friends to fight side by side, and this social aspect is a key reason for its popularity. While it did not achieve the phenomenon status of the original, it holds a special place in the hearts of series fans.
From a technical standpoint, the game's long-term support in MAME ensures that later generations can experience it. Although emulation is not flawless, graphics, colors, and joystick controls are emulated well, with only minor sound imperfections. This does not hinder players from enjoying the core gameplay and helps the classic title endure.
As part of the series, Knights of Valour 2 Plus has influenced subsequent works. Its magic system was carried forward and expanded in later Knights of Valour titles. Additionally, its character balance adjustments provided a reference for future revisions. In this sense, the game served as an important testing ground in the series' evolution.
The varying regional names reflect IGS's international distribution strategy. The Japanese title "Sangoku Senki 2 Plus" and the Chinese title "Knights of Valour 2 Plus" are similar yet show localization nuances. This multi-region approach allowed the game to reach a broader audience and facilitated the spread of Chinese culture overseas.
Overall, Knights of Valour 2 Plus is a memorable arcade game. It may not be the most dazzling entry in the series, but its existence enriches the Knights of Valour IP. For fans of side-scrolling beat 'em ups and the Three Kingdoms theme, it remains a classic worth trying.
