The Horde - Sega Saturn

ESRB Rating: KA (Kids to Adults), E (Everyone)
Release Date: 1997-06-01
Moby Score (1-10): 7.5
Player Score (1-5): 3.6
Genre(s): Action

The Horde is a single-player action strategy game. The player controls Chauncey, a serving lad who saves King Winthrop the Good from choking during a royal meal. As a reward, the king gives Chauncey the magical sword Grimthwacker and grants him land in the kingdom of Franzpowanki. Chauncey’s new responsibility is to make the settlement prosper while defending it from the Horde, a race of hungry creatures known as Hordlings.

The Hordlings attack each season and try to eat or destroy the village’s people, crops, cows, and other resources. Chauncey must protect the settlement well enough to earn money, keep the king’s favor, and advance to more difficult regions of the kingdom. His success also draws the attention of Kronus Maelor, the High Chancellor, who tries to hinder Chauncey through taxes, politics, and other schemes.

Each season is divided into two main phases. During the build phase, the player prepares the village before the attack begins. The player can place defenses, alter terrain, cut trees, dig or fill holes, and plan how the village should survive the next wave. Buildings, crops, cows, roads, and villagers develop between seasons, so preparation focuses on shaping the battlefield and protecting the settlement’s most important assets.

The action phase begins when Hordlings enter the map. The player directly controls Chauncey from an overhead view, moving around the village and striking enemies with Grimthwacker. Different types of Hordlings behave in different ways, with some rushing toward villagers, some targeting crops or cows, and others creating additional hazards. The player must decide which threats to stop first, since enemies may attack several parts of the settlement at once.

Economy and defense are linked. Surviving crops and cows produce income, while lost villagers and destroyed resources reduce the settlement’s success. Hordlings may also drop money when defeated. Gold can be spent between seasons on improvements and special items, but taxes and poor performance can reduce what the player has available. A village that survives the attack but loses too many resources may still struggle to grow.

Chauncey can acquire magical items and other tools that help against the Horde. These may include effects that attack enemies, protect parts of the village, or change how Chauncey handles emergencies. Magic is powered through Chauncey’s ATM card, the Automated Transfer of Mana, which converts gold into usable magical energy. This means magical help is useful but also tied to the player’s finances.

Progression is organized by years and regions. After surviving enough seasons in one area, Chauncey may be sent to another part of the kingdom, where new terrain, resources, Hordling types, and defensive problems appear. The changing regions require the player to adapt village planning and combat priorities rather than relying on the same layout every time.

The game uses live-action video scenes for its comic story sequences, including messages from King Winthrop, Kronus Maelor, and the Franzpowanki News Network. These scenes frame the campaign and report on Chauncey’s progress, while the main gameplay remains focused on alternating construction, resource protection, and real-time combat.

*** Data by MobyGames.com ***

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