Warrior Kings: The Saga - PC

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Warrior Kings: The Saga (PC)
Viewed: 3D Combination Genre:
Strategy: Combat
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Black Cactus Soft. Co.: Empire Interactive
Publishers: Empire Interactive (GB)
Released: 28 Nov 2003 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 12+
No Accessories: No Accessories

Summary

Just to remind all you strategy lovers out there, Empire Interactive has released a compilation of two of its finest RTS efforts - Warrior Kings and Warrior Kings: Battles - in Warrior Kings Gold Edition.

As you have probably come to expect by now, hardcore strategy games are complicated, filled to the brim with intricate touches that balance gameplay. And although Warrior Kings is a fine example of this, players shouldn't be afraid to give it a good go - it's well worth trying.

From a technical standpoint and regarding gameplay, Warrior Kings will appeal to the RTS faithful. The game does contain many complexities that accommodate for the hundreds of variables in battle, but it also incorporates a style of progression that's invaluable to its players. Rather than throwing you in at the deep end, Warrior Kings' missions increase in difficulty as you gain experience.

There are dozens of missions to tackle that involve the player in a highly strategic game of power and wits. There's lots to consider, but the more you become accustomed to how the game works, the more careful your actions will be in game, and the better results you will get.

The Warrior Kings follow up, Warrior Kings: Battles takes place many years after the events of the original Warrior Kings game. As the story tells it, the peace and unity that Artos delivered to the land of Orbis has been brought to an end by the assassination of the last Artosian ruler. The ensuing struggle for power destroyed the fabric of the Empire, and it has collapsed in on itself, wracked by civil war, famine and disease. Orbis is now plunged into chaos.

Warrior Kings: Battles comes complete with a full skirmish mode that boasts a rather proficient computer AI system. For example, AI Generals build a functioning economy, offensive/defensive armies, correctly control formations, and intelligently probe players' defences, looking for their weak points. AI Diplomacy, a major new feature, makes players think they're playing against human opponents, giving a new depth to single and multi-player Internet gaming.

Also, the game introduces a whole new mode to the RTS genre. As well as conventional multi-player options, the new 'Valhalla' allows players to choose their own re-spawning armies without resource building, and fight them against any combination of human or AI opponents. Unit limits and time limits can be set to give the player full control over the length of game played, as well as Capture the Flag and other fast-paced action game modes.

Two great games in one desirable package? That about sums it up.