Robin of Locksley, better known asRobin Hood, is a charismatic hero whose legend is still enjoyed across the world today. With his band of outlaws, the Merry Men, he steals from rich nobles to give the money to the poor. His story has been retold in nearly every medium imaginable, including games.
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If you’re looking for some feats of derring-do to liven things up, try one of these games based on the legendary denizens of Sherwood Forest. From faithful adaptations to alternate tellings of the tale, you’ll be able to confound Prince John time and time again!
7Robin Hood: Defender Of The Crown (2003)
Defender Of The Crownincreases the scope of Robin’s adventures. In this version of the tale, the Merry Men are more than just a band of outlaws striking where they can - they’re a full-scale rebel army, which Robin must lead to overthrow Prince John county by county.
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With sieges and field battles mixed in with the usual heists and sword fights, Defender Of The Crown is a real what-if scenario. The game even has eight different endings to unlock, based on the player’s actions over the course of the campaign.
6Robin Hood: Country Heroes (2019)
Country Heroesis a colorful, all-ages puzzler that focuses on completing each stage’s objectives as fast as possible. From outfoxing guards to repairing bridges, players have to manage both their time and their resources to succeed.
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Robin Hood: Country Heroes and its sequels - Winds of Freedom, Hail to the King, and Spring of Life - are decidedly casual games, but they’re very affordable and make agood choice for kids.
5Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)
An NES adaptation of the Kevin Costner flick,Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieveswas much like its namesake. It’s overly ambitious, cheesy, and not actually all that good but still fun in spite of all that. It doesn’t really fit into a single genre, either - while much of the game is a top-down, RPG-style adventure, this gameplay is interspersed with one-on-one duels, horse chases, and even zoomed-out mass battles.
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Since the game follows the story beats of the movie, it actually hits all the key points of the main Robin Hood legend, including parts that aren’t as famous. Notably, one of the game’s final challenges is when Robin and the Merry Men crash Marian’s arranged wedding to Guy de Gisborne.
4Hood: Outlaws And Legends (2021)
This medieval multiplayer shooter gives Robin Hood a decidedly grimdark twist. Similar to games likeWarhammer: Vermintide, each player has a unique class, and the entire team needs to work together to fight through their foes and complete their mission. WhereHooddiffers, however, is that there is another team of players racing to complete the same objective. Only one team can succeed - assuming they both survive.
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While Hood has seen its player numbers dwindle since launch, it’s still a great choice for gaming with friends. Who knows - maybe it will see a resurgence!
3Nocked! True Tales Of Robin Hood (2019)
This interactive fiction RPG comes courtesy of author Andrew G. Schneider, and is clearly born from a love of Robin Hood’s story. It takes players through Robin’s adventures, with impactful choices to make along the way.
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While it’s a great pick for players looking for a well-crafted story where their decisions matter,Nocked!also includes a resource-management element. Running a rebellion isn’t cheap, so you’ll need to consider how your decisions will impact your war chest, as well as the members of your band and Robin’s reputation among the people of Nottingham.
2Sheriff Of Nottingham (2014)
Sheriff of Nottinghamis a popular tabletop game of bluffing. While the focus is on Robin’s nemesis rather than the Hero of Sherwood himself, the game is nevertheless inspired by the legend - and lots of fun to boot!
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Each round, a new player takes on the role of the Sheriff, with everyone else playing as merchants hoping to bring their goods to market in Nottingham Village. The Sheriff declares which goods are contraband, then the merchants secretly load their carts with goods. The Sheriff can then choose to search each of the merchants. If he catches them with contraband, they pay him a fine, but if the merchants' goods are in order, he has to compensate them for their trouble!
1Robin Hood: The Legend Of Sherwood (2002)
Arguably the best video-game adaptation of Robin Hood to date,The Legend Of Sherwoodis faithful to the tales and fun to play. It’s a stealth strategy game, where players control each member of their chosen team. Each character has different traits and abilities, and they all need to be used in tandem to survive; in another universe, perhaps it could have seen sequels like its contemporary, the originalDesperados.
Despite its age, Robin Hood: The Legend Of Sherwood is still a fun time, and there are secret treasures to discover in each level, unlocking a hidden ending!
