I. Game Background
1.1 Setting the Stage
Knights of Valour is based on Luo Guanzhong’s classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, focusing on the era of warlords during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The game kicks off with a unique starting point: "Rescuing A Dou from the River." Players take on the roles of key generals from the Shu Han faction, embarking on a journey to defeat Cao Cao and restore the Han Dynasty.
The game faithfully recreates iconic scenes from the novel: Guan Yu’s "Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals," Zhang Fei’s roar at Changban Bridge, Zhao Yun’s daring rescue of A Dou, and Zhuge Liang’s "Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats" at the Battle of Red Cliffs. Each map is inspired by ancient Chinese cities and landscapes. With its distinct ink-wash art style, Chinese subtitles, and culturally rich character designs, the game resonated deeply with Asian players, cementing its status as a long-standing staple in arcades.
Compared to contemporary Capcom beat 'em ups (like Alien vs. Predator or Final Fight), the biggest advantage of Knights of Valour is its depth: it’s not just a side-scroller, but an ARPG-lite experience with character progression and strategic item usage. Players feel their characters grow stronger, and the complex item combinations ensure that every playthrough offers something new.
1.3 Development History
Knights of Valour was developed and released in 1999 by the Taiwanese company International Games System (IGS), running on their proprietary PolyGame Master (PGM) arcade hardware. Building on their experience with titles like Oriental Legend (1997), IGS aimed to create a domestic masterpiece that could rival or even surpass Capcom’s best.
The PGM board was a high-performance hardware platform for the late 90s, featuring a Motorola 68000 main CPU, a Zilog Z80 audio CPU, and support for a 4096-color palette with FM synthesis. This hardware balance allowed Knights of Valour to compete visually and sonically with imported hits.
The game’s greatest innovation was its Item Combination System—different weapons, items, and strategy books could be combined for special effects, injecting ARPG-style strategy into the beat 'em up genre. It also introduced fighting-game-style command inputs for special moves, a rarity for the genre at the time.
In 1999, the game became a massive sensation across China and Taiwan, often outperforming imported Japanese titles. It spawned several versions: Plus (balanced), Super Heroes (new characters and stages), and The Seven Spirits (exclusive content). In 2020, IGS released the IGS Classic Arcade Collection on Nintendo Switch, bringing the series to a new generation. Released in 2023, this collection remains the gold standard for Chinese side-scrolling action games.
II. Character Profiles
The original Knights of Valour offers multiple playable characters, each with unique strengths, speeds, and skills. Furthermore, characters possess "Five Elements" (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) attributes that affect item synergy, making character selection a tactical decision.
2.1 Guan Yu—The Heavy-Hitting Tank
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★★★ |
| Speed | ★★ |
| Skill | ★★★ |
- Pros: The Green Dragon Crescent Blade has the largest reach in the game and deals massive single-hit damage. Excellent at clearing mobs and high survivability.
- Cons: Slow attack speed and narrow combo windows. Low mobility makes him vulnerable to fast bosses.
- Verdict: Perfect for players who like to stand their ground. He is the ultimate front-line tank for multiplayer.
2.2 Zhang Fei—The Explosive Brawler
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★★ |
| Speed | ★★ |
| Skill | ★★★★ |
- Pros: Incredible burst damage in melee and the highest throw damage in the game. Balanced offense and defense.
- Cons: Short attack range; requires getting close to enemies. Needs careful positioning against ranged bosses.
- Verdict: A balanced character, great for beginners. His high-damage throws make him a beast in boss fights.
2.3 Zhao Yun—The Speedster
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★ |
| Speed | ★★★★★ |
| Skill | ★★★★ |
- Pros: Fast attack speed and fluid combos. The most mobile character in the game with excellent special move hitboxes.
- Cons: Lower damage per hit; requires longer combos to match others. Average health.
- Verdict: A fan favorite among experts. His agility makes him the top choice for solo runs and speedruns.
2.4 Ma Chao—The Balanced Vanguard
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★ |
| Speed | ★★★★ |
| Skill | ★★★ |
- Pros: Long reach with his spear and excellent dash attacks. Very well-rounded with no major weaknesses.
- Cons: Lacks explosive damage or specialized advantages compared to others.
- Verdict: A solid all-rounder for players who aren't sure which playstyle they prefer.
2.5 Huang Zhong—The Sniper
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★ |
| Speed | ★★★ |
| Skill | ★★★★ |
- Pros: Ranged bow attacks allow for safe damage output. Effective against flying enemies.
- Cons: Weak in close combat; low health makes him fragile if cornered.
- Verdict: A unique ranged specialist. Best played behind a tank who can draw enemy fire.
2.6 Zhuge Liang—The Tactical Mage
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★ |
| Speed | ★★ |
| Skill | ★★★★★ |
- Pros: Massive AOE spells with high damage. Can use elemental magic (Lightning/Fire) and gets bonuses from strategy items.
- Cons: Lowest health in the game; extremely weak in melee. Slow movement.
- Verdict: A classic "glass cannon." Requires protection from teammates, but his screen-clearing spells are the strongest weapons in the game.
2.7 Diaochan—The Agile Assassin
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Strength | ★★ |
| Speed | ★★★★★ |
| Skill | ★★★★ |
- Pros: Extremely nimble and graceful. Unique hitboxes on special moves.
- Cons: Low attack and defense; high skill floor.
- Verdict: Introduced in later versions (Super Heroes), she is favored by experts for her speed and unique skill set.
III. Controls
3.1 Basic Controls
Knights of Valour uses an 8-way joystick + 3 buttons layout: Attack (A), Jump (B), and Item/View (C).
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| A | Attack |
| B | Jump |
| C | Use Item / View Inventory |
| A+B | Emergency Escape (Consumes health to knock back enemies) |
| ↓+B+A | Slide (Low attack, avoids high-altitude strikes) |
3.2 Universal Move List
| Move | Input |
|---|---|
| Dash | →→ |
| Dash Attack | →→ + A |
| Jump Attack | B + A |
| Special Move | ↓↘→ + A |
| Super Move | ↓↑ + A |
| Emergency Escape | A + B |
| Forward Throw | Grab + → + A |
| Backward Throw | Grab + ← + A |
| Rage Mode | Press A+B+C simultaneously |
3.3 Special Moves & The Five Elements
Each character has unique special moves. Zhao Yun excels at combos, while Zhuge Liang dominates with elemental magic. The Five Elements System (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) dictates strategy: Fire beats Metal, Water beats Fire, etc. Using items that match your character's element or the enemy's weakness is key to success.
IV. Stages & Boss Guides
Stage 1: Rescuing A Dou
- Boss: Lü Meng. Fast and agile. Use the ship's crates for supplies and avoid being cornered.
Stage 2: Battle of Dingjun Mountain
- Boss: Xia Hou Dun. High damage, long reach. Use jump attacks and slides to flank him.
Stage 3: Hanzhong
- Boss: Zhang Liao. Strong defense and counter-attacks. Use dash attacks to hit and run.
Stage 4: Losing Jingzhou
- Boss: Lü Meng (Enhanced). Faster and deadlier. Use hidden Ice or Fire swords to gain an edge.
Stage 5: Burning the Camps
- Boss: Xu Chu. Huge and slow. Attack from behind while avoiding the fire hazards on the ground.
Stage 6: The Final Battle—Red Cliffs
- Boss: Cao Cao. Two forms: Mounted (use ranged/AOE) and Berserker (stay mobile and use Rage Mode).
V. Pro Tips
- Master the Dash Attack (→→A): It’s your safest and most efficient move.
- Defensive Positioning: Hold back to block. It costs a little health but saves you from massive damage.
- Don't Hoard Items: Use powerful weapons and strategy books early to clear difficult rooms.
- Emergency Escape (A+B): Don't be afraid to use it to save your life or protect a downed teammate.
- Learn Hidden Locations: Many items are hidden in walls, trees, or jars. Memorize these spots.
- Manage Rage: Save your Rage Mode (A+B+C) for boss fights to maximize damage output.
VI. Arcade Legends
6.1 Taiwan's Arcade Peak
Knights of Valour was a massive success for the Taiwanese gaming industry, proving that IGS could compete with giants like Capcom.
6.2 The "Master-Apprentice" Culture
In arcades, veteran players would often teach newcomers where hidden items were, creating a unique social bond rarely seen in other games.
6.3 The "Fighting Game" Feel
Because of the command-input special moves, the game felt like a fighting game disguised as a beat 'em up, raising the skill ceiling significantly.
