Fantasy Wars

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 63
  3. Negative: 5 out of 63
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  1. GlennO.
    Jan 18, 2008
    8
    The AI is quite good (without "cheating") which makes this one of the most challenging turn-based games I have played in a long while. The perk-tree is intriguing, albeit lacking in adequate documentation. This game will stretch your strategy muscles in good ways.
  2. PertsaJ.
    Oct 31, 2007
    10
    A great game for fans of good old turn-based strategies. If you liked games like Fantasy General, Battle Isle and Spellcross, you'll love this!
  3. KalleHahl
    Mar 10, 2008
    10
    I'd give 9.5. There are only some minor stuff that patches might even fix/add.

    It's ridiculous to see some of the game reviewers giving 35% scores to Fantasy Wars.

    This is as good as Ufo: Enemy Unknown is, combied with Heroes of the Might and Magic AND Total War -series.

    It's pure gold. Get it!
  4. GoenzV.
    Nov 13, 2007
    4
    No good. Boring. Stupid graphics.
  5. asdasd33a
    Feb 25, 2014
    10
    one of the best turn based combat games I have enjoyed playing. Its difficulty is just right and provides a very good challenge. It doesnt have any flashy graphics but it sticks to basics and delivers a great overall experience.
    It isnt a game for everyone but if you are looking for a tactics only no nonsense game its brilliant.
    There is a sequel Elven Legacy
  6. ErichS.
    Oct 9, 2007
    10
    What an awesome game. If you love turn-based strategy in a fantasy setting, this is the best ever. Reminds me a little of "Sword of Aragon" (yeah, ancient I know). Graphics not that great, but best gameplay in a long time.
  7. JamieS.
    Nov 1, 2007
    10
    Fantastic game! Better than RTW OR civ. More fun to play. A turn based deep strategy game with some unique elements. I feel like this is the game I've been waiting years for. It's perfect.
  8. RichC.
    Nov 20, 2007
    10
    Not everyones cup of tea, but if you like turn-based strategy, raise your pinky because this is quite the little tea party!
  9. Guesswho
    Dec 27, 2007
    7
    Persistant over-the-top evaluations of Russian games from Finland's Pelit are understandable.
  10. MichaelM.
    Dec 7, 2007
    10
    Loved the easy to play..hard to win gameplay. Most fun in years finishing a campaign. Hope there is an expansion in the works with more maps.
  11. ChrisM.
    Jan 15, 2008
    10
    I saw it for sale, laughed at the name and thought for a minute how brilliant it would be to remake fantasy general. Went home, looked at reviews, and bam! instantly ashamed for not buying it on the spot, have not been dissapointed. Great to play these old classics, an awesome game that makes you plan, think, and unashamedly save-load =).
  12. OliverH.
    Nov 27, 2007
    10
    Simply fantastic. Good strategy with fun battles and great graphics. So fun.
  13. Vagiclean
    May 17, 2022
    10
    A true blast from the past, turn based fantasy strategy in the spirit of old classics from 90s. A bold move that succeeds. Commanding your own orc horde or mercenary army to victory through the linear campaign is simply fun, especially when the game mechanics have nothing to be ashamed of, and there’s plenty of complexity to keep you thinking. We need more of unhurried, turn based goodnessA true blast from the past, turn based fantasy strategy in the spirit of old classics from 90s. A bold move that succeeds. Commanding your own orc horde or mercenary army to victory through the linear campaign is simply fun, especially when the game mechanics have nothing to be ashamed of, and there’s plenty of complexity to keep you thinking. We need more of unhurried, turn based goodness like this in the future… Expand
  14. iseeall
    Dec 23, 2015
    8
    It's a good strategy game, somewhat close to Massive Assault, Galactic Assault Prisoner of Power, Battle for Wesnoth, Pazer General and Battle Isle.

    The good: - nice graphics, with bright fantasy landscapes, dynamic switching of detail of the units based on your camera position (though the cutscenes shouldn't have re-used the relatively low-poly units which were designed for viewing    It's a good strategy game, somewhat close to Massive Assault, Galactic Assault Prisoner of Power, Battle for Wesnoth, Pazer General and Battle Isle.

    The good:
    - nice graphics, with bright fantasy landscapes, dynamic switching of detail of the units based on your camera position (though the cutscenes shouldn't have re-used the relatively low-poly units which were designed for viewing from a distance)
    - classic unit types (infantry, archers, artillery, cavalry, mages), with a good system of upgrades and special abilities
    - a nice idea of squads not just losing soldiers (or HP) in battle but instead having injured soldiers which can be healed by simply skipping a turn and dead soldiers which have to be replaced with novice recruits in cities (reminds Jagged Alliance 2 somewhat)
    - can undo movement (though limitations apply)

    The so-so:
    - a pretty average story about orcs and elves, not that it's that much needed in a TBS game
    - fog of war adds very much randomness into the game, or rather, encourages save/re-load scum. Or at least you need to keep sending scout units ahead and get them killed. Though this is really a matter of taste. If you are a chess-like player who wants perfect information all the time and clear outcomes, you may find the game frustrating, or just reload often. If you find risk part of the challenge, it's fine
    - somewhat non-intuitive terrain bonuses to units, e.g. archers and militia don't get defensive bonus in woods, why? If you are a new player, you also can't see/know those bonuses until you move there, and then there may be no undo available if you were mistaken -> reload game
    - tooltips are lacking. It would be great if the stats of units would be shown when you mouse over them, but instead you need to right-click them
    - missions have a turn limit which discourages camping but doesn't let you fully explore the maps

    The bad:
    - the units which survived in a mission are carried over to the next mission, which makes every next battle more and more difficult if you made some mistakes early on, or more and more easy, if you replayed every mission a few times until you got it right, or reloaded after every wrong step. Say, a knight appeared out of fog of war and killed your catapult. Should you let it be like that and never see that catapult in any missions forward, or should you just reload?
    - dull voice acting (I played the Russian version). The actors read their lines too slowly and without much emotion, and mostly you just want to skip them because you can read the dialogs faster on your own    … Expand
  15. insanity82007
    Apr 19, 2014
    6
    I want to give this game more because it's addictive but there are a few things that make it too frustrating to play. Limited turns makes exploring an entire map hard and I'm the kind of person who likes to do that, especially in games where decisions made, loot found etc. on one map will count on subsequent maps. There isn't a way to make regular income other than from looting, so if youI want to give this game more because it's addictive but there are a few things that make it too frustrating to play. Limited turns makes exploring an entire map hard and I'm the kind of person who likes to do that, especially in games where decisions made, loot found etc. on one map will count on subsequent maps. There isn't a way to make regular income other than from looting, so if you make mistakes early on in the game, you can't finish the higher level maps because you can't afford to hire enough troops or either your army is filled with low level units. Also, the loot often isn't enough for the losses sustained. The most frustrating thing though is that heroes don't do enough damage and die too easily. You basically have to protect your main hero from all sides at all times to prevent him from being rushed by the enemy and slain too easily by only 1 or 2 enemies, which leads to the game being lost. This makes him a liability instead of an asset and the main hero is supposed to be an asset!… Expand
  16. ibitato
    Sep 12, 2013
    8
    This is a correct turn -based RPG game.
    The main campaign is based on a series of battles ibjectives on a map.
    Unit level progression is simple yet effective.
    the 3D map is a plus on this game.
    The turns limit on missions and maps, makes you want to do better
    There are some unnaceptable problems with the UI and missing text strings on buttons.
  17. Capture1Ditto
    Apr 12, 2016
    9
    Fantasy Wars: Una historia épica de fantasía medieval, con una jugabilidad excelente (Tactical-RPG), gráficos bonitos para la época, una banda sonora muy buena, tiene las voces de los personajes de Warcraft 3, es difícil, podes personalizar tu ejército desde qué tipos de unidades queres usar en cada batalla hasta el nombre de cada unidad y su progreso en las clases, batallas de 30 minutosFantasy Wars: Una historia épica de fantasía medieval, con una jugabilidad excelente (Tactical-RPG), gráficos bonitos para la época, una banda sonora muy buena, tiene las voces de los personajes de Warcraft 3, es difícil, podes personalizar tu ejército desde qué tipos de unidades queres usar en cada batalla hasta el nombre de cada unidad y su progreso en las clases, batallas de 30 minutos a una hora como mínimo.
    IA balanceada, vasto número de unidades y clases en cada raza, múltiples maneras de finalizar un mismo escenario y un justo sistema de recompensa en base al tiempo que hayas tardado y los objetivos que hayas cumplido en cada misión.

    Tiene 3 campañas, la de los humanos, la de los orcos, y la de los elfos. Cada una consta de 9 a 10 misiones desafiantes, entretenidas y con diálogos épicos. Muy pocos diálogos, pero tremendamente épicos.    … Expand
  18. Dco326
    Dec 27, 2022
    7
    Koliko je bilo zanimljivo toliko je i smaralo :D Ovo guranje sa vremenom me toliko smara svuda sam dobio gold ali me npr zadnja misija basssssssss bassssssssssssss smorila xD jbg :D sve u svemu nikad vise sigurno

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best PC Game of 2007
75
#75 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
76
#76 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    88
    A true blast from the past, turn based fantasy strategy in the spirit of old classics from 90s. A bold move that succeeds. Commanding your own orc horde or mercenary army to victory through the linear campaign is simply fun, especially when the game mechanics have nothing to be ashamed of, and there’s plenty of complexity to keep you thinking. We need more of unhurried, turn based goodness like this in the future. [Nov 2007]
  2. IGN
    78
    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.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    75
    It may be old-school, but Fantasy Wars isn't behind the times when it comes to providing satisfying, albeit spectacularly tough, turn-based strategy gameplay.
    Read full review
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