🎮 Play Defender of the Crown Online (DOS)

In the chaotic wake of the King’s assassination, medieval England is torn apart by warring factions. Defender of the Crown, released by Cinemaware for DOS in 1986, casts you as a Saxon lord tasked with uniting the fractured kingdom. It seamlessly blends grand strategy on a territorial map with arcade-style action sequences, pushing you to raise armies, participate in jousting tournaments, and lay siege to rival Norman fortresses.

How to play

Your objective is to conquer enough territory to defeat the Norman lords and consolidate power. You manage your kingdom and direct armies through point-and-click menus, while the action segments require precise timing. During sieges, you adjust the tension of a catapult to breach castle walls before ordering your troops to charge. Sword fighting, whether during castle raids or damsel rescues, relies on quick directional strikes and parries.

Tips

• Jousting precision: When aiming your lance during a joust, target the exact center of your opponent’s shield and slightly to their right to maximize your chance of unhorsing them.
• Siege tactics: Do not rush a castle without properly breaching its walls with your catapult first. Pay close attention to the wind and tension gauge to break down the defenses efficiently.
• Consolidate borders: Resist the urge to expand too rapidly. Ensure your home territories are heavily garrisoned before moving your main army, as leaving borders unguarded invites immediate retaliation.