This game is a classic I mean what can you really say about it except it is a hard core strategy game. Its set in England during to times of robin hood and the crusades. You take over as a minor lord of a castle fighting for supremacy against your neighbors. With the king away you have many different tools at your disposal to over take the island battles, raids, kidnappings, marriage's  and tournament's provide many different avenues to victory and depending on which lord you start with your strategy will have to change. It could be argued that you have allies in the other character's you don't choose however this tends to be just the ability to peacefully cross a land or 2. Even if they had just attacked you and taken that land the turn before. So don't count on much support from "allies". Its best to find the most lucrative areas but be warned everyone else will be gunning for these as well. Setting up castles on important lands can help as defense of a castle can be much easier once you get the hang of it. If your lord is week in tournament's then make sure you always choose fame it wont hurt you if you loose but it wont help much if you win. If your a jousting powerhouse call all the tourneys you can and go for land every time it can be the most powerful tool you have. Money is always a problem and raiding can solve this, However if the person you attacked spent all his gold or you choose a secondary castle you might end up with little or nothing even if you win. In battle play around with the formations and learn which give the most advantage with what army and against what army and eventually you will be able to roll over any army. However it can take time to learn them all and there is never a guarantee. Things can always go awry on the battlefield. There are plenty of ways to win the game and even more ways to lose it. While it is a difficult game its not impossible and don't cheat unless you have already beaten it. This is one of those games that you will feel a sense of accomplishment if you do it the straight and narrow. My advice take some time to enjoy a gem from the NES. Use skill, brains, and bravado just like you would have if you have a time machine instead of a PC.. I hope this review helped let me know if you have any other questions.