Warlords

Title		Warlords
Publisher	Electronic Arts, 1990
Programmer      Steve Fawkner
Game Type	Strategy
Players 	1-8
HD Installable	Yes
Compatibility	All Amigas
Submission	John Burns (john@jgb.abelgratis.co.uk) Profiled Reviewer

Review
Although billed as strategy game I'd qualify this by saying that it is a
fantasy wargame biased more towards fun than any serious strategy. The
game itself plays on one screen, with some pop up information menus, which
depicts the entire world. The game also runs on VGA monitors making it
much more playable than when run on a TV.

At the start of the game you create a "Hero", a character who you will
require if you wish to get anywhere. The map contains various castles and
ruins which you can take over and search respectively. Your first task is
to take over a castle in order to gain some territory, income and, more
importantly, the ability to produce new units. These new units can then be
used to defend the castle, expand your empire or combined with each other
to produce a stronger army. My reason for stating that strategy is not a
major consideration is due to the fact that battles are resolved by "might
is right" rather than any tactical decisions, of which you can make none
apart from directing where you attack.

The fantasy part comes in when you look at the units which you may
produce. Each castle in the game can produce preset types of units from
such normal stuff as Cavalry and Heavy Infantry to more exotic types such
as Goblins and Pegasi, which can fly. Each of these units have a movement
and strength rating so an element of strategy does come into how you
decide to combine units. As mentioned, since different castles produce
different units it is only by taking over these and expanding your empire
that you will gain access to other unit types.

I mentioned the "Hero" character and his importance which is that he is
the only one able to search ruins. Why? Well when you do so you will
frequently be given either extra companions such as wizards, dragons, etc.
or artifacts which change your hero's attributes (increased strength,
etc.). Although you start the game with only one hero as your empire
expands and grows others may join your ranks, often complete with some
companions. This further aids you in expansion/exploration.

Control is with the mouse though keyboard short-cuts are available to
access other information screens. This system works well enough and
doesn't take long to get the hang of. Sound is minimal whilst the graphics
are pretty enough if nothing outstanding. Apart from the sprite movement
on the main map there are no animations or such like though some pop up
information menus do have some reasonably drawn unit depictions.

As an exercise in strategy give it a miss. However, as a game it's okay
for the odd hour or so but purely as a game and a bit of fun. Ultimately,
there is no real sense of achievement in winning the entire map since with
big enough armies you can almost guarantee this. So treated as a diverting
bit of fun (albeit short term) it'll meet the criteria but view as
anything more serious and you'll be disappointed.

I could slag this game off but I won't because it's competently done and
everything works as it should. Okay it's no Civilization but then it
doesn't aspire to be and as a short interest game it achieves it's aim
better than most.

Alphabetical list.