Gameplay and design
Knights of Valour Plus is a side-scrolling beat 'em up action game. At the start, players choose one of five generals to fight with, all drawn from the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, including the Five Tiger Generals. The core gameplay involves advancing through side-scrolling stages, defeating waves of enemies, and facing powerful bosses at the end of each level. While this format was common in arcade beat 'em ups of the era, Knights of Valour Plus distinguishes itself with several unique systems.
One of the game's most notable features is the introduction of magic. During combat, players can collect items or build up energy to unleash magical attacks, which often have wide-area effects or special properties that can turn the tide in critical moments. This design was uncommon in contemporary Three Kingdoms-themed games, which typically focused on pure physical combat. The magic system adds strategic depth, requiring players to manage resources and decide when and which spells to use against different enemy formations.
In addition to magic, the game borrows a rage system from fighting games. As characters take damage or land hits, a rage meter gradually fills. When it reaches a certain level, players can unleash powerful special moves. This mechanic heightens tension and satisfaction, encouraging players to balance offense and defense rather than simply mashing buttons. The rage system gives Knights of Valour Plus a more nuanced combat experience than typical beat 'em ups, increasing its replay value.
As an enhanced version of the original Knights of Valour, Knights of Valour Plus expands the roster with two new characters: White Armor Huang Zhong and Magic Zhang Fei. White Armor Huang Zhong is an alternate form of Huang Zhong, clad in white armor with different attack patterns and moves. Magic Zhang Fei gains magical abilities, allowing him to use unique spells. These additions not only diversify player choices but also offer fresh experiences for veterans, letting them try different fighting styles on replay.
The game also makes subtle adjustments to details. For instance, the health bar color changes from yellow to green—a minor but noticeable visual difference for players familiar with the original. Additionally, the hourglass item's recovery time is adjusted, now restoring only up to 28 seconds, requiring more careful time management and preventing players from relying on it to extend play indefinitely. These tweaks, while not altering core mechanics, reflect the developers' attention to detail and set Knights of Valour Plus apart from the original.
Overall, Knights of Valour Plus inherits the core mechanics of the original Knights of Valour while offering a slightly different experience through new characters and system adjustments. The combination of magic and rage systems makes combat more strategic and visually engaging, and the new characters enhance replayability. For fans of beat 'em ups, especially those familiar with the original, Knights of Valour Plus is a worthwhile title that offers new delights.
Background and release
Knights of Valour Plus was released in 1999 by Taiwan-based IGS (International Games System) as part of the Knights of Valour series. The series is set during the Three Kingdoms period of China, with a plot loosely adapted from the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Before this series, arcade platforms had seen various Three Kingdoms-themed games, but most were fighting or strategy titles. The Knights of Valour series chose the side-scrolling beat 'em up genre, offering a different experience for players.
Knights of Valour Plus is an enhanced version of the original Knights of Valour, expanding content and adjusting systems. The original was released earlier in 1999, with Plus following later the same year. As an enhanced version, it aimed to attract players who had already played the original, offering new challenges through added characters and tweaks. Releasing enhanced versions shortly after the original was common in the arcade market, as manufacturers sought to extend game lifecycles and maintain player interest.
The Knights of Valour series is known for its more complex systems compared to other Three Kingdoms side-scrollers, and Knights of Valour Plus exemplifies this. Beyond basic attacks and jumps, players can use the Magic Tome to cast spells and utilize a rage system similar to fighting games. These additions make Knights of Valour Plus more than a simple beat 'em up, requiring skill and strategy. This complexity became a hallmark of the series, attracting players who enjoy deep gameplay.
At the time of its release, the arcade market was undergoing a transition. With the rise of home consoles, arcade attendance had declined, but beat 'em ups still had a loyal following. IGS, as a Taiwanese arcade developer, held significant influence in the Asian market. Knights of Valour Plus further solidified its position in the arcade sector. The game supported multiple languages, including Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and English, allowing it to be distributed across various regions and expanding its audience.
Knights of Valour Plus holds a unique place in the series. It is neither the first nor the most influential title, but as an enhanced version of the original, it serves as a bridge. Some players even call it the 'test version for The Phoenix' because its system adjustments laid the groundwork for the later Knights of Valour: The Phoenix. This transitional nature gives Knights of Valour Plus special significance in the series' evolution, even if it is less well-known than other entries. For those studying the series' development, it is an important reference point.
Development
Knights of Valour Plus was developed by Taiwan-based IGS, a company renowned for its arcade games and significant presence in the Asian arcade market. IGS not only develops games but also designs its own arcade hardware, with the PolyGame Master (PGM) board being a notable example. Knights of Valour Plus runs on the PGM board, which offered solid performance for its time, supporting complex 2D graphics and effects, providing the hardware foundation for the game's visuals and smoothness.
The PGM board was IGS's self-developed hardware introduced in the late 1990s, designed to reduce development costs while providing sufficient performance for contemporary games. Compared to other arcade boards, the PGM board had a price advantage, allowing IGS to produce multiple games at lower cost. Knights of Valour Plus, as one of the PGM board's titles, fully utilized its capabilities to deliver smooth side-scrolling action and numerous on-screen enemies, offering players a satisfying combat experience.
During development, IGS's team expanded upon the original Knights of Valour. Adding the two new characters, White Armor Huang Zhong and Magic Zhang Fei, required redesigning character models, attack animations, and moves, increasing the workload. Adjustments like the health bar color and hourglass time, though seemingly simple, needed testing to ensure game balance. These changes indicate that IGS did not merely add content but aimed to refine the gameplay experience through detail-oriented tweaks.
Knights of Valour Plus supports multiple languages, including Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and English. This reflects IGS's market strategy to target arcade markets across Asia and globally. Multi-language support not only facilitated players in different regions but also enabled distribution in multiple countries, expanding its potential audience. At the time, multi-language support was uncommon in arcade games, highlighting IGS's attention to market needs.
Public information about the development process of Knights of Valour Plus is limited, but it is certain that IGS had accumulated substantial experience in arcade game development by then. Prior to this, IGS had released several successful arcade games, including beat 'em ups and shooters. This experience ensured that Knights of Valour Plus achieved high standards in controls, level design, and enemy AI. Although not the most famous entry in the series, its development quality is commendable.
Reception and legacy
Knights of Valour Plus holds a unique place among players, especially those devoted to the Knights of Valour series. As an enhanced version of the original, some players view it as a 'test version for The Phoenix' because its system adjustments informed the later Knights of Valour: The Phoenix. While not an official designation, this perception reflects players' observations of the series' evolution. For many, Knights of Valour Plus was an important entry point into the series and a cherished part of their arcade memories.
In April 2023, Knights of Valour Plus was included in the IGS Classic Arcade Collection, released on the Nintendo Switch platform. This collection features eight games, including Knights of Valour: The Phoenix and Knights of Valour 2: Nine Dragons. This re-release introduced the game to a new generation of players and allowed veterans to revisit the classic on modern hardware. For a 1999 arcade game to be re-released over two decades later speaks to its historical value and enduring fan base.
The Knights of Valour series now includes multiple titles, with five main entries and several enhanced versions. As the enhanced version of the first game, Knights of Valour Plus may not be the most prominent, but its historical significance is undeniable. It witnessed the series' development from the original to later installments and reflects IGS's ongoing innovation in arcade gaming. For those studying arcade game history, Knights of Valour Plus is a noteworthy example of how enhanced versions extended game lifecycles during a specific era.
In terms of player reception, Knights of Valour Plus is generally regarded as a solid beat 'em up, though it may lack the depth and content of later titles like The Phoenix. However, as an enhanced version, it was not expected to bring revolutionary changes. Player evaluations often carry nostalgic sentiment, especially for those who spent their youth in arcades; their memories of Knights of Valour Plus are intertwined with the gaming environment and social context of the time.
Knights of Valour Plus also demonstrates IGS's capability in combining hardware and software, as a representative title on the PGM board. The PGM board later supported multiple Knights of Valour games and other IGS titles. The success of Knights of Valour Plus contributed to the promotion of the PGM board and laid a foundation for the series' growth. While it may not be the most groundbreaking entry, it holds a place in both the series' history and IGS's corporate legacy.
