Fun game, but it doesn't have the same length as some other turn-based games. It's just not the same 'value'. If the game goes on a 50% off type sale by all means do consider trying it out. Also Fantasy Wars is more or less the same as Elven Legacy (sequel), so depending on which one you can buy for a lesser price, get the lesser priced one. If you loved one, get the other since they're just different missions/units. I'll rate this a 3.5/5. Fun for people who like more turn and hex-based and thinking combat. But the game will not appeal to everyone.

This is an excellent game, however, it lacked replayability for me (other than the temptation to possibly go against using units I like/creating strangely composed armies). Once finished the campaign I didn't have much inclination to go back and play it again (fortunately there are three campaigns so this isn't much of a problem). Also, the limit of 5 level ups per unit is a bit frustrating as this often happens significantly before the end of the campaign. Basically, the campaigns are great and the difficulty is hard but not impossible (ie perfect), but there is little motive to replay the campaigns and few missions (4) that can be played one-off.

Hard to say much more than others have already said here: in some respects, if you've played any Panzer General derivative, you've played them all. But now with pretty graphics! Par for the course is challenging scenarios, but only because you're fighting against a time limit rather than the AI (which persists in doing stupid things). This one is most like PG2 of those I've played, due to the smaller maps; if you'd like to try a similar free game, look up Battle for Wesnoth.

A very good and challenging wargame. Building up the army and taking care of every unit battle after battle is a definite pleasure. If you appreciated a game like Fantasy General this one is a must. However, the scenarios are a bit tough to win and some must be restarted more than once to find the perfect winning strategy. Anyway, a strategist pleasure. And graphics are gorgeous, if a bit cartoonish.

Not much I can say that plenty of others haven't. This is an excellent turn-based strategy wargame ina fantasy setting. I am not a fan of the FPS genre, so this sort of game is especially appealing; I like the time to plan out my actions without the frantic Build and Swarm approach of the real time games, and Fantasy Wars is excellent in that regard. Graphics are great, too. Worth checking out!

I've been playing games for a long time now, long enough to remember the excellent games made by the now gone SSI. One of my favorite games was called Fantasy General, a hexed-based, turned-based, Panzer General inspired wargame with cool fantasy units that were persistent over the campaign. Few games have equalled Fantasy General and very few were made like it - until now! Although unoriginally named, Fantasy Wars captures the spirit of Fantasy General perfectly. The units fight it out on attractive 3d maps, gaining experience that will allow them to upgrade or gain new skills. The battles are challenging, and the inclusion of a copper, silver, and gold medal victory requirements (based usually on number of turns and deeds done) make them even more challenging. Multiplay is limited and there is little solo skirmish to speak of, but there are three single player campaigns showcasing different armies - enough to keep you playing for a good long time!

Great game for the money. There's plenty of tactical depth in this game that could have you coming back time and again. The individual unit leveling is great, combined with good graphics and a few campaigns (not to mention a map editor) make for a solid game. Each scenario also has ratings of how you did (basically how long you took to complete the mission) and rewards based on each. Getting all gold ratings on hard difficulty: oh boy, have fun with that. There aren't a lot of showy extras in this title, just pure turn-based "tabletop" strategy.

Other people comparing this game to fantasy general made me buy this game and it is definitely an updated version of that game. The story is actually interesting and above all this is an easy game to get into and it's great fun without losing any depth of tactics or strategy. I just hope they do an updated version of the panzer general series too now that would be good :)

A good solid game - well worth playing. The campaign is solid, but tricky at times! I'd recommend anyone try it - there is a demo available at the site for the game.

The previous reviewer that compared it to Fantasy General was spot on. This is a great game, not groundbreaking, but damn it's nice to have Fantasy General back and all dressed up. Great game, I'll be spending a lot of time with this title.

Leave it to GamersGate to uncover this little gem of a turn-based strategy title. Maybe not a five-star product, but certainly worth four stars. The reviews above are accurate, or go over to Gamespot for even more detail. One nice tidbit to add to the other reviews: There is a very cool game editor available for free download. Do a Goggle search for it, as I no longer have the URL, but you should find, and enjoy, this nice little add-on to an already good game.

I played one mission from the demo and immediately came here to purchase the full game.

If you like the old SSI game Fantasy General, then you'll love this game. It is like Fantasy General with an updated graphics engine:

- Your normal units have 15 health. They can receive either wounds (which can be healed by resting) or deaths (which cannot be healed without recruiting more members for the unit).
- You have hero units which have 10 health and can be healed as long as they do not die.
- You can find magic items by exploring ruins and other locations on the map
- You have archers which support your soldiers in combat
- You have aerial units which support your troops and can bombard the enemy
- Your army is transferred from battle to battle and your units gain experience.

The only thing missing is the research between turns. Instead your units gain special abilities called perks as they gain experience.

The graphics are good without requiring a beast of a machine to play the game. As others have said, the voice-acting is outstanding.

This is a must buy if you like fantasy turn-based combat games.

I've played both the demo and the full game for a total of about 6 hours.

Inevitable comparisons
First and foremost, this is NOT Lord of the Rings OR Heroes of Might and Magic. Nor does it play like either of those games. It plays more like Massive Assault, which is probably why I like it so much. It is a slow-paced turn-based strategy game. Keep that in mind if you're interested in buying this. However, since it is Fantasy-based and a TBS immediately HoMM comes to mind. However, where that game has a free-roaming hero and grid-based combat, here, you have an army to control based on a hex grid. As for the *incredibly* generic 'Fantasy Title' world? I honestly think that there are simply SO many of these clones already, that the fact that the game doesn't even try to give a more interesting title is to its' credit. It knows it is a fantasy clone and doesn't try to be anything else. Kudos.

Translations and Voiceacting
Well, am I ever surprised. The voiceacting in this game is GREAT! I have heard some of the worst voice acting/reading of lines to ever come out of my speakers - see the recent The Chosen: Well of Souls to get an idea of this. I think the problem comes down to a non-English speaking (natively) developer hiring voice actors without knowing whether or not they are any good as English is simply not their native tongue. Someone got it right in this game, imo. The Narrator (intro), Goblins, Orcs, Humans, etc all sound just as you'd expect. Gruff, whiny, bold, all in the right measure. I'd say there is a BIT of overacting, but at least they are appropriate, and not stilted or Ukranian-accented or whatnot. It puts me into the right frame of mind, at least. The translations are also, overall, pretty good. Sometimes the voiceacting doesn't exactly match the onscreen text, but this isn't outrageously bad.. often the voiceacting lines are better. All of the text descriptions onscreen are understandable, legible and make sense.

Gameplay
This is a remarkably easy-to-pick-up game. There is a tutorial with 2 training missions. These are effective in bringing you up to speed and you'll be playing in no time. As for the nuts and bolts, I'm still getting into it, but there seems to be plenty of depth, with new recruits, units having different strengths, weaknesses, better shielding in cities, etc. Fun to play and watch the units' different animations after/during battle.

Graphics and sound
I think this title is outstanding, appearance-wise. It's not hard on my rig - I cranked the AA/AF and it plays and looks incredible. Fully 3D camera, smart hotkeys and loads of fun animations - from your units' cheering, to grass and trees swaying in the breeze, to birds in the sky. The modellers and animators have done an awesome job here. As for the sound, that might be the weakest bit. I like all of the effects and music, but wish that the explosions/damage sound effects could be louder.

Conclusion
Great game, I give it 5 stars for being a welcome surprise.