When the turn based game series Warlords spawned its hybrid real-time strategy/role- playing game, no one could imagine it would be such a success to make it this far but the cult series has finally arrived at Warlords Battlecry III. However it’s a mixed bag of the good, the bad, and the same old formula of its predecessors.
My eyes, the goggles do nothing
Graphically Warlords Battlecry III looks almost identical to the second game in the series, which is not a good thing. Warlords Battlecry III is leaps behind the current standards that present real-time strategy games offer. This is mainly due to the fact that like previous Warlords Battlecry games in the series, Warlords Battlecry III is still inspired by 2D sprites that give the illusion of 3D. Sure it’s a pretty good looking 2D game and some great techniques have been used in this medium, but in this day and age it just doesn’t stand out like it should. I hear you all cry but a games graphics mean nothing, it’s the gameplay that counts! Yes, while this is true, it never hurts for a game to be easy on the eyes rather than a pixel mess of 2D units on screen.
Is that suppose to be lightning?
Yes, a pixel mess the game can become, as you send numerous units to battle while your hero stands amongst the fray representing his might. This is one of the features where the Warlords Battlecry series shines. There’s a whopping amount of units to use from a huge array of sixteen teams, yes count them sixteen! If you love fantasy then the teams will greatly appeal to you, as you charge as the mighty knights, cast death magic as undead or toil with evil plots as the dark elves. But with all the units that are included in the game none is more important then your hero. Following the games role-playing element Warlords Battlecry III lets you create and customize a hero from what class he is, all the way down to what voice he will use on the battlefield. Not only can these heroes play with you in single player game types but also online multiplayer and network. He will receive experience, get stronger, obtain new skills, and on certain maps find and use items that help increase his supremacy, and not only do heroes become better; some units can gain experience and carry over each match and become veterans in their own rights.
Building up the base
When it comes to the strategy part, Warlords Battlecry III does a great job at diversifying combat and resource management. Different types of mines are scattered around each map and must be converted and controlled by your race if you wish to receive a constant flow of resources. There are four resources- gold, stone, iron and crystal and these required items will let you train units, research new skills and construct your ever growing base. Base management is slow however, compared to many other real-time strategy games, often taking a long time before reaching the top tier of units and upgrades and due to the rush to get to this stage many lower tier units become obsolete and don’t get to play their necessary role in the game. The games sixteen teams are generally not balanced; there will be teams used more than others. Hopefully patches can help fix some of the less competitive teams so they get some play time.
What to build...decisions, decisions.
The AI is adequate in the game but faces some challenges in the strategy department, one being they rather attack in small, pointless waves which are easily dispatched. Sure there are times when the computer can attack furiously with a crushing force, but watching them send one or two units mindlessly to die constantly is very annoying. The new campaign is also integrated well for people wishing to play by their lonesome, and involves your team and your hero exploring a map filled with locations were they can fight, shop and converse with other characters and races. Multiplayer support for the game although available is at the moment lacking of community which makes it extremely tough to find a game and although the net code for multiplayer games has stabilized a great deal from the previous titles in the series, it still has some major problems which can cause your game to freeze or drop right out while online.
AHHH, it's the Red Dragon, flee while you can!
CHHHHAAAARRRRRGGGGGEEEEEE
The sound is another highlight for the game and everything sounds great from sword strikes to spells being cast. Particularly effective is the unit speech which gets you in the mood of the game. There’s nothing like hearing a crazed berserker shouting “1…2…3…BERSERKER” when he is trained or the mighty cry of an undead slayer knight yelling “I am INVINCIBLE”. The Music also enhances the fantasy setting perfectly although it’s a little disappointing that there are so few musical scores within the game.
It’s bad to recycle
Warlords Battlecry III offers a great slice of real-time strategy and role-playing but there’s one problem in that the game does not offer enough new content. Most teams, units, building and heroes are part of Warlords Battlecry II, and although the game is a sequel you still cannot forgive how much content is recycled in the game. For people who have never played any off the previous titles this is acceptable but for the rest of us who have, Warlords Battlecry III comes around feeling more like an expansion pack to the second game rather than a full blown new one.
Happily ever after?
Warlords Battlecry III is still a great game despite this problem. If your looking for a fantasy filled real-time strategy romp and you can overlook playing in a 2D realm than this may be what you are looking for. Warlords Battlecry III is like chocolate, it tastes wonderful when you eat, but too much of the same thing makes you sick. However if your tasting it for the first time, it’s fantastic.
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