Fantasy Wars Preview

It seems to be yet another page from gaming past, though it might be hard to determine if that is the intent behind Fantasy Wars from 1C and Atari. Regardless, the turn-based title looks like it was developed five or more years ago and is just seeing the light of day. While the in-game graphics are fine, the cut scene materials are sorely lacking. But before delving into the nuances of the game itself, a bit about the game’s story … 

Six hundred years have passed since General Marcus battled the demon devouring the world of Illis. Evil is once again marching across the land and warriors are called forth to press for victory – either for the side considering just and right, or for the side that serves a darker purpose. What has that to do with the game you are playing when you launch Fantasy Wars? Nothing … at least at the beginning.

There are three factions you can play as, but only two are available (humans and Orcs) at the onset of the game. You will have to unlock the Elves, presumably.

Each faction has its own tale: the humans are led by Derrick Pfeil, the youngest son of a poor noble family who makes his living at the head of a mercenary army – they are journeying to Derenhalle in the south to work for King Victor; the orcs are led by Ugraum who is trying to unit the orcs into a horde to rule the world; the elves are led by Teya, an elven sorceress, Speaker of Dragons, to repel the growing orc threat.

Billed as a classic turn-based hexagonal war game, the game is propelled by graphics that might have been fine five years ago. The cut scenes are flat, two-dimensional affairs that drive the game by supplying plot but do little else to provide eye candy.

It should be noted that this is the second straight 1C game that has come without much in the way of sound. Even with the volume controls cranked and the 5.1 surround-sound speakers boosted to maximum volume, there was nothing. Sorry, but even in preview code, this is unacceptable. (Although this does provide ample opportunity to crank up your own songs as a background – so something positive did come of this.)

Each mission begins with a briefing and the opportunity to select a difficulty setting from the three available. The briefing also contains the terms of victory. For example, in the first campaign stop for the humans, you are to arrive at Meklenburg and capture the Keilerstein fortress.  

As you begin play, you are given an overview of the hexagonal map. Select a unit and you will see the extent of its movement. Liberate towns and you can add gold to your stash. This is important because during the battle, if you have the gold, you can buy another unit and place it on the mapboard. And reinforcements may also arrive and play into the battlefield mechanics.

You may also uncover relics/artifacts that have certain properties (buffs and the like), which you can pay a fee to distribute during the battle itself, or you can disperse to a unit out of battle for free.

From that point on, the game is fairly simple – use strategy to route your enemies and accomplish your objectives. Bulling your way across the battlefield is not always wise and you have your hero to look out for. As the game progresses, you can get other heroes with varying abilities. And as you fight, and win, your characters and units will level up, making them much more powerful.

Cut scenes aside, though, this is not a bad game graphically. The maps are lush and bright, and occasionally you will be treated to some combat animations, that are serviceable. The characters and units are represented by larger animated figures that move about the board. In battle, if there is a counterattack, the large characters will break down into smaller units for the cut scenes - which are a little repetitious but a decent diversion. The interface has a small learning curve. Anyone who has played a real-time strategy game before should be able to find their way around within minutes. For the newcomers, it might take a bit longer, but once you understand the mechanics you will be able to work through the gameplay without too much trouble. Of course, setting your own comfort level in terms of difficulty will determine the challenge your get.

Fantasy Wars is not bad, as strategy games go. It just feels a little antiquated and does not bring much that is new to either the fantasy genre or the strategy genre. Still, this game might provide a nice entry point for those new to the turn-based strategy scene.

Fantasy Wars, published by Atari, is slated to ship to retail in mid-November.