Windows

Fantasy Wars

Fantasy Wars remembers and does justice to a gaming age when these traits were hallowed. It's an experience tailor-made for those that remember it fondly; it's a potential morgue for those that don't and a brand new experience for they who battle to overcome.

Zugegebener Maßen gibt ­es nichts wirklich Neues beim vorliegenden Setting eines rundenbasierten Strategiespiels. Trotzdem wird die Story mit Hilfe der wirklich gelungenen deutschen Synchronisierung und Übersetzung recht schmackhaft erzählt und alte Genre-Hasen sollten aufgrund des knackigen Schwierigkeitsgrades ebenso Freude an der kurzweiligen Unterhaltung finden, wie Fantasy-Fans Spaß an der fantastischen Welt von "Fantasy Wars".

Taking place in a fantasy world of Human kingdoms, Orc clans, Dwarfs' citadels and Elven forests the player is thrust into a world of war and legend. Play the role of an Orc or Goblin boss, a captain of the Human army or lead the elite forces of the Elven army. Participate in castle sieges and village defense, assault and reconnaissance operations and swift raids. To be victorious remember that the amount and experience of troops is not always the key factor, organize cooperation between different types of units and use the landscape to achieve strategic superiority. The game consists out of three story-connected campaigns. In each of them players will have to gather an army, upgrade units, find magic artifacts and study magic spells. An epic story has been crafted to draw players in. The great Orc chieftain and conqueror Ugraum, incited by the cruel shamans, gathers a huge horde to invade the land of Humans.

If you are still stuck on the edge of strategy games, hanging on to what you can before delving into the real-time games that seem more popular now – your are going to love this game. For everyone else, it’s above average but not stellar with a few shortcomings. It’s definitely one fantasy worth exploring.

Fantasy Wars has some gameplay features that make it worthy enough to check out. It’s not as complex as many turn-based strategy titles out there, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A great use of terrain, decent number of units, and large number of unit upgrades make the strategic decision about where and when to attack both important and interesting. The turn countdown is a decent idea as well and forces players out into the field a little quicker, but can tend to cut off the chance to fully explore a map in some cases. Either way, the challenge for those that choose to try and grab the gold medal in each level is going to be pretty extreme. Fantasy Wars doesn’t have the slickest package around, but its heart is good and those looking for a pretty active turn-based combat game will likely find enough to enjoy.

While Fantasy Wars may not set any new records or break the gameplay barrier, it is a solid turn-based war game with an addictive twist. Whether your cup of tea is trampling Humans or flinging arrows at Elven defenses, this game has what you want and more. Even with its utilization of a simple premise and an even easier interface, Fantasy Wars is a challenging adventure that requires patience and a knack for strategizing unit placement, while still allowing new players to free their inner commander. Start bashing some fantasy creatures, already.

Fantasy Wars is niet beschaamd om ouderwets te zijn. Het game mikt duidelijk op gamers met een staat van dienst die teruggaat tot voor de dagen van real-time strategie. Maar de uitgekiende missies, gedetailleerde units en knappe interface verdienen een ruimer publiek. Het helpt als je klassiekers zoals Fantasy General hebt gespeeld: veteranen van turn-based games weten hoe ze met moeilijke uitdagingen moeten omgaan. Maar het game is zo vlot aan te leren dat je geen ervaring nodig hebt.

Fantasy Wars is a great little gem that would make a fine addition to every strategy gamer’s shelf. What it lacks in originality it more than makes up for in addictively fun mayhem. While I'm not sure how much longer turn-based games will even be made, Fantasy Wars proves the genre isn't dead. This game will give even hardcore BattleNet veterans a flashback to the first time they played Warcraft III. Or for other 30-somethings like me, Fantasy Wars just might take you back to marathon sessions of pushing cardboard D&D pieces around a felt map.

While the combat elements of this title feel a little antiquated, Fantasy Wars still manages to be challenging with little room for error. Because it is turn based, you can consider a course of action, but bad choice are often gobbled up by the AI, especially if you are trying to get top scores for the mission level. The game is easy to jump into and play, so it should appeal to newcomers to the genre. While not a high-end turn-based game, Fantasy Wars is a decent title.

Surprises are rare in Fantasy Wars, but this wargame with elves and orcs sure delivers when it comes to traditional turn-based strategizing. Developer Ino-Co has created both a paean to the past and a great antidote to overcaffeinated real-time strategy games. Missions here make you think, not just exercise your index finger. Intricately designed maps feature loads of carefully placed opponents, plentiful units boast numerous upgrades that let you build whole custom-crafted armies, and the easy-to-use interface makes it a snap to play in general. The only issue is difficulty that soars past merely challenging and into territory usually reserved for the masochistic.

All in all Fantasy Wars is a solid game. It’s very pleasant to play, it’s easy to both play briefly and walk away, or to completely lose track of time in the “just-one-more-turn” scenario. The graphics are pleasing and enjoyable, the AI is frustratingly dumb at times and nothing stands out as a jarring or grating game. It’s solidly average. If you are looking for a fun turn based strategy game pick this one up – it won’t change your world but you won’t regret your time with it. If you are not a turn based strategy fan give it a miss, Fantasy Wars isn’t going to make any converts but it won’t drive away anyone who enjoys the genre either.

Fantasy Wars is an addicting strategy game that I enjoyed playing once I found the cheat codes. It suffers from being too difficult and very generic – practically replicating a storyline from The Lord of the Rings.

Le gameplay classique de Fantasy Wars fonctionne bien. Sous des dehors archaïques, il se révèle assez riche et plaisant à jouer. Un plaisir malheureusement plombé par quelques défauts et lacunes. Rien de rédhibitoire, ça n'empêchera pas les aficionados de stratégie au tour par tour d'y trouver leur compte, au moins en solo. Mais ce genre quelque peu délaissé aurait mérité un vrai mode multi.

Vrij simplistisch TBS-spel dat snel gaat vervelen en ondanks de felle kleuren de middelmaat zeker niet overstijgt.

Overall, Fantasy Wars was rather disappointing, since it had the potential to be so much more. Perhaps more differences between the faction units or a multiplayer mode could've saved the title, but in the end, the lack of a plot really did it in. As I mentioned from the outset, the sci-fi fantasy theme has become quite popular, if a little overused, in the gaming market. Simply parading orc and elf characters around, but not backing it up with a strong plot can hurt a game rather than help it. I'd recommend picking up Fantasy Wars if you're a hardcore turn-based strategy fan, but if you're looking for a unique fantasy title or a good story, you'd best look elsewhere.

The missions are fairly varied, with some very challenging goals to achieve, meaning this really isn't one for the faint-hearted gamer. Even on normal difficulty, the scenarios quickly stack the odds up against you, and when you throw in the odd interface quibble - it's easy to mis-click troops and accidentally give out an errant order - it's clear this really is a game of conquest for the patient. Fantasy Wars will be most appreciated by those armchair generals who are thirsty for a dose of meticulous planning, not to mention those with comfy chairs, as it will be a long sitting before the day is done.

Although Fantasy Wars is quite solid, and I found very little to complain about, I also was never “wowed” by any moments in the game. A great game will drag me in with story or gameplay or overall atmosphere, and this just never happened here. Much like a table-top miniatures game, I enjoyed myself while playing, but I could quickly pack up and move on to something a bit more intriguing and not give much of a glance back. Those looking for solid turn-based tactical fantasy battles will find that, and not much else. Fantasy Wars is a decent title, but it won’t be winning any converts to the turn-based fold.

And, ultimately, everything about the game is basic to average at best. The good implementation of the strategy makes up for what would otherwise be a pretty unimaginative and uninspiring game that would at best be described as a homage to a much loved aging genre. At worst one could assume that it’s too little too late and way past its sell by date. We’ll opt for the former and offer this up as one for the hardcore orc battling fan boys out there who don’t want hack and slash but prefer their orc slaying to be a little more thoughtful. Fun while it lasts, which for most people won’t be long.