The scene. Me, sat in front of an Atari ST. The game, Defender of the Crown. The mood. Happy.

That’s some 40 years ago, which is absolute madness. I always had an interest in the Middle Ages at school so the chance to actually play a game that let me take over merrie old England and do a spot of jousting at the same time was always going to be up my alley. Oh, and if you played your cards right you got the fair maiden too.

Cinemaware’s classic Defender of the Crown has made sporadic appearances over the last 40 years but to see it relaunch on Steam again today is heartwarming.

It’s been developed by Black Tower Basement and published by Nordcurrent Labs, so none of the glamor of Cinemaware of old there but what improvements do these new guys bring to the table?

“Everything that made the original special is intact: the ruleset, the pacing, the atmosphere. What’s changed is everything around it – cleaner systems, improved balance, a modernized interface, and quality-of-life updates throughout.” So says the Steam page, where you can buy it now with 15% off.

The game has picked up a new subtitle along the way Defender of the Crown: The Legend Returns is now the full name and the devs are keen to point out that this is a special moment for them:

“Ever since we announced the game, we’ve loved reading your stories and memories of the original Defender of the Crown. From those who grew up playing it to those who discovered it later in life, it’s been wonderful to see how much this iconic adventure has meant to so many of you. It truly has made our journey to launch even more special.

Now it’s time to forge new memories. Working on a new chapter of this beloved franchise has been a special experience for our teams, and we hope you’ll enjoy it whether you’re returning to claim the crown once again or experiencing it for the very first time.

Four decades later, this legendary title continues to bring players together. Here’s to all the unforgettable moments created along the way, and to everyone who has helped keep this legend alive. Happy 40th anniversary, Defender of the Crown!

Thank you all for celebrating this milestone with us and being part of this very special day!”

There are now three ways to play. Classic Mode, which is the original from back in the day. Retro Mode, a reimagined Amiga-like version with new mechanics, and Kingdom Mode: “An entirely new challenge. Procedurally generated maps, special dice mechanics, unlockable abilities, and multiple difficulty levels to keep every run unpredictable.”

And so tonight, some 40 years on, the scene: Me sat in front of a PC. The game, Defender of the Crown. The mood. Happy once again.



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