SpellForce III Reforced

Spellforce III is, effectively, a throwback game, being both old-school RPG and old-school RTS, stuck on top of an old-school fantasy setting. The developers have done a remarkably good job of taking complex controls and making it work on a controller, and while the game isn’t particularly boundary-pushing, innovative, or stand-out, it is engrossing in the way that it combines genres so seamlessly and entertainingly.

Spellforce 3: Reforced is a confident mixing of genres that does well with both elements, and brings a ton of content to consoles.

SpellForce 3 Reinforced has a very special mix of genres. It surrounds us in a world of medieval fantasy to control an army. The controls are well adapted although it took some getting used to.

It cannot be denied that Spellforce III was launched more than five years ago and the new release while not bad at all shows its age. The good news is that with the DLCs included, the countless patches have been implemented as well, so the Reforced edition offers the best experience. The new crafting system is also a welcome addition, just as the possibility to upload your own maps into Journey mode. The main issue remains the control scheme. That said, if you are curious about the result of mixing RTS and RPG, I can only recommend the console version of Spellforce III Reforced only if you don’t own a PC.

Spellforce 3 Reforced is a fun RTS/RPG hybrid with a very compelling story. The individual gameplay components work well, although more narrative fluidity when focusing on RTS moments could have made Spellforce 3 Reforced a must-play. Nonetheless, fans of both RTS and RPG genres will find something to love here.

Spellforce is a game full of ups and downs, especially in the recreational field, and could upset the purists of the genres to which it refers. That said, it is a production characterized by unique scenarios and a peculiar gameplay, which could be able to satisfy those looking for a fantasy adventure that can offer an interesting plot.

SpellForce 3: Reforced is a valiant effort to mesh RTS and RPG into a functional package on console. In theory, it shouldn’t work at all, but for the most part it succeeds more than it fails. There’s plenty of issues, whether it be the shallowness of the tactics for success, the visual oddities that plague your journey or the overabundance of burdening dialogue to cut through, but the essence of this fantasy game is good enough to shine through.

Spellforce 3 Reforced is a relatively successful combination of two genres. Though each of them separately might be a bit too simplified to please die hard fans of them, they complement each other well. They also tell an interesting story in a world that's pretty interesting, even if it isn't that novel. If you're in need of an RTS/RPG on console, you could do much worse than Spellforce 3. If you've got a PC though, you're probably better off playing on there.

The solid story, good graphics, and decent amount of content make SpellForce 3 Reforced a reasonably good time if you can put up with the side effects of it being forced into a console experience.

SpellForce 3 is still a good game, even though the RPG side of the gameplay clearly takes the uphand on the RTS side. The console port could have been much better, too.