Gangs of Sherwood is a third-person action-adventure game built around cooperative combat in a reimagined Robin Hood setting. Players take on the roles of legendary outlaws fighting against the forces of the Sheriff of Nottingham, either alone or alongside up to three others. The experience centers on linear story progression through mission-based levels filled with enemy encounters, light platforming, and occasional exploration opportunities.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around controlling one of four distinct heroes, each equipped with unique weapons and combat approaches. Robin relies on bow attacks for ranged options, Marian employs quick strikes with daggers and a versatile blade, Friar Tuck wields a heavy mace for powerful swings and area effects, and Little John uses charged mechanical fists for close-range impact. Combat involves mixing light and heavy attacks, timing parries against telegraphed enemy moves, and chaining abilities to handle groups of foes. Upgrades allow customization of each hero's capabilities, while the retrofuturistic world mixes medieval elements with advanced technology in enemy designs and environments.
Missions unfold across varied locations including forests, mines, and castle grounds, where players clear waves of soldiers, confront larger war machines, and face bosses. The system supports seamless switching between solo play and drop-in co-op, with character abilities designed to complement one another during fights. Progression focuses on completing objectives to advance the rebellion narrative while gathering resources for improvements.
Game Modes
The primary experience consists of a campaign structured into nine linear missions divided across three acts. These missions emphasize sequential combat encounters broken up by traversal sections and brief exploration. A secondary wave-based mode provides standalone survival-style challenges separate from the main story path.
All content supports one to four players, with the campaign fully playable offline in single-player. No additional named modes or seasonal content appear in the current version of the game.
Story and Setting
The narrative places players in a stylized version of medieval England where outlaws challenge an oppressive regime. Heroes operate as the Merry Men, using their skills to disrupt enemy operations and support those in need. The world blends traditional folklore with mechanical and technological twists, creating distinct visual and mechanical contrasts in enemy types and level design.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback highlights a short campaign length and repetitive combat encounters as primary drawbacks, with many noting limited variety after the initial missions. Reviews frequently mention technical issues such as crashes in co-op sessions alongside the straightforward mission structure. The game suits those seeking brief cooperative action sessions focused on character-specific combat styles rather than extensive content or ongoing updates.
Reception remains mixed overall, with praise for the hero variety and visual presentation offset by criticisms of pacing and depth. Those interested in short co-op adventures with distinct playable characters may find value in the available missions, while players expecting longer campaigns or frequent new content may prefer alternatives.
