The legend of Robin Hood has persisted for centuries. The famous outlaw said to stand up to a corrupt monarchy by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor remains an iconic figure across various media, from literature to stage to film and television. He has been the star of several movies which have seen him portrayed by a wide variety of actors like Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, Kevin Costner, Cary Elwes, and Russel Crowe.
Over time there have been a variety of recurring aspects of the legend. Robin Hood lives in Sherwood Forest and is accompanied by a band of "Merry Men" which includes several names such as Little John and Friar Tuck that have become essential to the myth. There is also his love interest Maid Marion, though her role has varied greatly across different retellings. And of course, there is always someone for Robin to oppose. The real-life Prince John is often cast as the main antagonist, but Robin Hood's most frequent nemesis is the Sherriff of Nottingham, a man who will stop at nothing to see the outlaw killed and the corrupt monarchy upheld.
Hood: Outlaws and Legends brings the legend of Robin Hood into a multiplayer video game, with players working to steal treasure from "the state" and having to evade an enemy known as "the Sherriff" (presumably the Sherriff of Nottingham). To accomplish this goal, they have to work together to perform several key steps needed to get to the treasure and get it out safely. The catch is that there are other bands of thieves with similar goals, creating situations where two teams are competing for the same treasure.
The game currently has four playable heroes, each of whom take inspiration from characters of the Robin Hood myths. Each one lends itself to a different gameplay style and has their own strengths and weaknesses, making teamwork essential.
4 Hood
The man himself, the famous legendary outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, though this is not exactly the most conventional depiction of Robin Hood. He seems to lack the cheeky optimism of Errol Flynn. This guy is a lot colder, and a lot more ruthless in his methods. He may be robbing the rich and giving to the poor, but he has no real concern if any unfortunate guards end up as collateral damage. This is also reflected in his character design, which abandons the more conventional image of a dashing rogue in favor of a menacing masked vigilante.
Gameplay
Hood is best suited for ranged stealth. Like his inspiration, his signature weapon is a longbow which can be used to devastating effect. When he has a good view of everything, he can quickly spot potential dangers and silently take out enemies to clear a path for his allies. Unfortunately, while he is effective with ranged attacks, he is not as well-equipped for close-up engagements. This can put him at a disadvantage if found by one of his opponents.
3 John
The brawler character known as "John" is based on Little John, Robin Hood's sidekick in the legends. The nickname is an ironic reference to his huge size, which also makes him exceptionally strong. This plays into his first time meeting Robin, when he comes to respect the outlaw after being bested despite his strength. From there, he becomes one of Robin's closest friends, often acting as a second in command. Some versions even put Little John at Robin's death, usually as the person to whom he confides his last wishes.
Gameplay
John's primary talent is his strength. Considering "Little John" in the legends was a giant, it should hardly be surprising that his Outlaws and Legends Counterpart acts as a tank. John is the character for players who lack the patience for stealth and would rather take on the enemy head-on. He is easily able to overpower groups of enemies, but because of his aggressive playstyle, it is nearly impossible to take anyone by surprise. The upside, however, is that he can provide backup when any of the more stealth-oriented characters are spotted and at a disadvantage. His strength also allows him to clear obstacles -- he can lift up a portcullis like Fezzik to give his teammates an easy way into the castle.
2 Marriane
Hood: Outlaws and Legends offers a dark twist on the traditional character of Maid Marion. Though this is not the first attempt to give Robin Hood's love interest a more active role as one of his Merry Men, it is certainly one of the more unique iterations. Armed with a mini-crossbow and wristblade, Marriane looks like she walked out of an Assassin's Creed game, and she is the perfect character for fans of the series.
In this rendition, Marriane was once the heir to a noble family only to be deposed when her father was assassinated, an act which resulted in her vowing revenge and developing her skills as an assassin. The game even goes as far as to drop any pretense of her and Hood being romantically involved, as is traditionally the case, instead of acting more like brothers in arms.
Gameplay
Like Hood, Marriane is best suited for getting things done quickly and quietly and is at a disadvantage when spotted. But where Hood works best at a distance, Marriane is better suited for getting up close. She knows how to get around without being spotted, and has a variety of tricks up her sleeve, including an ability to make herself invisible. This also makes her the best party member for obtaining the vault key, since she can sneak up on the sheriff without being spotted. The only downside is that Marriane has a disadvantage if she is spotted, as she is not well equipped for facing enemies head-on.
1 Tooke
Robin Hood's band of Merry Men would not be complete without Friar Tuck, the man who acts as the one honest monk in a world where the Church has been overtaken by corruption and greed. Most stories of Robin Hood feature him in some form. His role can vary from more dramatic portrayals of a man resisting the pressure of his superiors to stand for what he thinks is right to acting as comic relief. He was even comedically turned into a rabbi for Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights. But Hood: Outlaws and Legends has a very unusual take on the character. Tooke is reworked into a fighter who brandishes a flail as his signature weapon, which can obviously cause massive damage. His role in the party is more like a cleric in Dungeons and Dragons than the traditional Friar Tuck character.
Gameplay
Tooke's fighting style is somewhere between the brawling style of John and the stealth approaches of Hood and Marriane. His flail makes him a formidable opponent, as it can quickly do massive damage to enemies. However, it is more effective against isolated opponents than groups. But he can also opt for a more discreet approach, though perhaps not as effectively as Hood and Marriane. He is also notable for being the only hero with a healing ability -- his special skill allows him to quickly heal himself and anyone nearby. These skills make him a more versatile character who can be adapted to the current situation.