This game is based on the extremely popular Adventures of Robin Hood. However, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the history of this spectacular archer and bandit, here's the story in a nutshell:
1. Get kicked out of your castle by the Sheriff of Nottingham.
2. Assemble a band of merry men.
3. Gain popularity by robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.
4. Be declared an outlaw.
5. Woo Maid Marian.
6. Take back the castle, ruin/kill the Sheriff, hoorah.
7. No, this game is not based on any of the movies (especially not the one starring Kevin Costner).
Robin Hood starts with an amusing little intro in which Robin is stripped of his castle. You take control of the sulking (no really, it's quite funny) Robin outside the gates. This gives the impression that Robin is not the most together or competent individual, despite what the stories say. Your job is to lead Robin on his quest to regain his castle. You don't so much control Robin directly as click on where/what you want him to do, and he does so, sometimes not quite the way you wanted him to. Rescuing Will Scarlet, for example, involves shooting his captors with your bow. Save your game before you fire, as you're just as likely to shoot Will instead of the guard... Erm, sorry, Will. This is mildly irritating, but actually goes along well with the feel of the rest of the game.
The game is played in isometric 3/4 view used by Populous, Power Monger and quite a few other god-sim type games. In fact, the game has that very sort of feel to it. You feel more as if you're leading Robin to victory than as if you're actually BEING Robin. The graphics are a bit on the small side, but very well done (think of a greener Art of War). All the major characters are easily identified and instantly lovable (it's disgusting really). There are some static images to set the mood for certain events (such as the changing of seasons) that are quite good. All in all, Robin Hood does a fine job on the visual front.
The sound does its job well, but is nothing too amazing. The bow makes a little "thwip" sound when you fire it, the castle gate clatters up and down, horns herald announcements and hangings, church bells ring, etc. That's about it, really; no pumping industrial soundtrack by Trent Reznor (no soundtrack at all, actually), no "chick-chick" of shotguns being cocked, no sounds of people running around screaming while on fire... Wow, sorry, Quake took over my brain for a moment there.
All in all, Robin Hood is a fun little game with quite a bit of humour to keep you into it. There are a few points at which it isn't very obvious as to what you should be doing and thus you spend a bit of time wandering around doing nothing, but this doesn't happen too often and never becomes a problem (you can always go and practice with your bow at the target if you're bored or totally flabbergasted). Enjoy the game!
