The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom

Imagine settling down, looking forward to an evening of playing a civilization building game, not really concerned about the multiplayer, but maybe play a little sandbox game, or continuing the campaign to unlock new technologies, only to be told that you can’t play the single-player element because either your Internet connection is offline, or the servers on the other end are not responding.

Frustrating? You bet it is. The impetus to really get some anger flaring? Yep, that too. And unless you are near a WiFi hotspot, forget about taking this game on the road with a gaming laptop.

Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom is a nice little civ-genre title that Ubisoft has released with its DRM (anti-piracy) system in place requiring a constant internet connection in order to play the game. No connectivity, no game.

Sure, there are benefits to being online constantly as it gives access to the community and questions can be asked if answers can’t be found by diminishing the game and finding the manual – which is on the game disk. There is even a mentoring program in place.

Players take on the role of Princess Zoe in the single-player campaign mode

There are several ways to play the game. The campaign mode is the suggested start as the first levels are more like a tutorial of game’s mechanics, and unlock elements. While it’s a fairly straightforward tale (some duplicity, but the overall goal is to build up communities and progressively conquer the map, ostensibly reuniting the land), and at key junctures there is the option to continue the campaign or to drop off that track and go into a sandbox mode. Unfortunately, the sandbox structure is limited to the buildings unlocked, so it’s better to get deep into the campaign before trying to simply enjoy building a kingdom.

One of the nice touches here, though, is unlocking the castle forge, which allows players to build personal, customized castles that are available for viewing online.

Most of the game’s core modes are battling other opponents, either the AI in skirmish mode or to get into multiplayer with other human foes. There are ladders, matchmaking, and records are kept and displayed online to show ineptitude or glory.

Much of the game, though, is essentially what one expects from a civ-genre title. You create buildings to attract settlers, harvest resources to feed them, create lodging to house existing and attract more, build an army, then sally forth to conquer neighboring lands.

You want politics or diplomacy? Early in the campaign mode, one of the Princess’s advisors (the game is presented from the perspective of Princess Zoe and her efforts to unite Tandria) explains that diplomacy is better achieved through military might.

While the game looks terrific, the game slogs along at its own pacing and upgrades are only available once prestige rewards are unlocked. There are no shortcuts, unfortunately, to allow players to leap into a map and plan and build to their heart’s content.

Settlers 7 is a very attractive game. There was some issue with a laptop sporting two 3870 video cards in Crossfire configuration, though. The game did play, but there was flickering on horizon landscape objects, like trees and mountains, that was extremely annoying. Playing on a desktop with an nVidia 9800 GTX card eliminated those graphical glitches.

The multiplayer elements of this game are strong, but unfortunately that whole DRM is off-putting to a large degree, and the lack of a sandbox mode, with upgrades tied to population base, seems to be a missed element that would have given the game broader appeal. For those, though, that like civ games that tend toward strategic combat with either AI or human foes, Settlers 7 has that feature and has it done reasonably well. No permanent Internet connection? Then the game can’t be played. And if you are the type that likes to have a manual nearby for reference … well, that’s housed on the game disk, not in the box. The only ways to access the manual are to either print it out or tab out of the game and have it open on the desktop (a PDF reader is required as well).

Review Scoring Details for Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom

Gameplay: 7.5
Solid multiplayer elements, but the game is a little short on single-player elements outside the campaign. Sure, there is a pseudo-sandbox option, but it feels rather weak comparatively speaking. And once through the campaign, aside from bumping the difficulty level and starting anew, there is little reason to revisit that. The controls are easy to understand and use.

Graphics: 8.5
Lush, colorful environments and nice animations make this a game that’s very easy on the eyes.

Sound: 7.5
The dialogue in the campaign is nicely done and fits the style of the game well. The rest of the sound is what is expected.


Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 7.5
That DRM connection requirement is a bane (personal perspective) and the game really does not break out and offer much that is new or different from what the majority of the genre has already offered.

Multiplayer: 7.5
The game bumps the challenge when playing in the skirmish or multiplayer settings. It’s a race to develop and attack your foe(s), and strategy does play a hand in the outcome.

Overall: 7.5
While a gorgeous game, there is the sense that Settlers 7 could have been more, could have been a definitive civ game and not just another iteration in a genre that has already seen strong games released. The setting is definitely terrific, and multiplayer is handled quite well, but the game just does not go that extra mile and offer something outside the graphics that sets it apart. It is a good game; it just does not go that extra step to becoming a great game.