In RH, King Richard is rumored to be dead and the new King, John, is taking over as ruler of England. Many still hold allegiance to King Richard and John’s leadership is questionable. But before Robin Hood fires into all the drama he takes on the ever present Sheriff and Nottingham. The setup also serves as the introduction to various gameplay elements.

A 3D overhead map is where players manage all their action. Robin Hood can go on raids to rob from the rich or highlight other faces on the screen to heed their actions. Raiding others is accomplished through various gameplay scenarios. Depending on which area is set for a raid Robin Hood can attack by archery or swordfight. Both setups are done in real time – archery is first person and sword fighting is a left to right battle. However both are simple and not the most fun. While the archery is standard the sword fight looks silly and plays like it.

Large scale battles require large scale troops. Robin Hood can recruit troops with the loot nabbed from raids. The troop selection starts with peasants and archers but later extend to soldiers and knights. You can transfer any number or combination of troops to a certain area to protect the land or prepare to engage the enemy.

The real time battle system is a bit mixed. Chess piece-like icons represent peasants, archers, knights, or other troops in battle. Players just have to highlight the kind of troop, hit X, and see if the attack hits and how much damage is done. All the while the enemy is attacking in the same fashion. After one attack is over the same mechanics just repeat. There isn’t too much variety or strategy involved.

The most strategic elements are used to build and secure a bigger, badder presence in England. Robin Hood will have to conquer lands with specific traits that can help him save the land. Particular areas are known for the best troops, the best rocks to build strongholds, and even the best catapults. Robin Hood can hold jousting tournaments to claim fame and conquer land. Defeat a ruler and you'll grab his land and others from around the land may join your cause.

The strongest point of RH is the storyline. The voices are impeccably well acted and the script is strong with Robin Hood-esque vernacular. Each character is strong and memorable. Robin Hood doesn’t care too much about saving England, Maid Marian is full of justice and the force that pushes Robin to save England, Little John is a pal that can muster troops, and Prince John is dubiously evil. The players progress can even change what the characters say and their outlook on the current situation. Lose a battle and Little John sounds discontent when you ask him to divvy up more troops, while Maid Marian expresses her contempt for Robin if he keeps losing battles.

RH’s graphics are nothing to gawk over. The battles and overhead map have an average quality to them. All the conversations are done via two talking heads and text in-between. Not much of this matters as the real action is in the strategy elements, but RH definitely could be polished up. The menus are clean, intuitive, and easy to use. Music is good with flutes and other medieval touches.

Robin Hood Defender of the Crown is an average strategy title. The simple action and battle elements will turn off hardcore strategists. But the strong story and entertaining characters will keep you from popping the disc out.