A martial arts-inspired strategy game
Battle Realms is a real-time strategy video game that was developed by Crave Entertainment for PC. It is a game that draws inspiration from martial arts action films and Japanese comics, also known as 'manga,' for its unique and stylish gameplay and its art design.
Similar to other strategy games, like Command & Conquer Red Alert and Age of Empire II, Battle Realms features various factions to choose from that have their own unique story and motivations to learn about. In addition, each one has special traits and abilities that you can take advantage of in battle.
What is Battle Realms about?
Battle Realms features a single-player campaign that revolves around the story of Kenji, the last heir to the Serpent's Throne, one of the four prominent clans in the game. You will join him in his journey as he returns home from exile and the decisions that he will make that will ultimately dictate the shift of power in the land.
The righteous Dragon Clan places honor above all else, and their devotion to the Dragon deity aids them in battle. Meanwhile, the fallen Serpent Clan resorts to dishonorable acts of thievery and deceit to survive. The hardworking Wolf Clan values freedom and feels in tune with nature. Lastly, the Lotus Clan follows the Forbidden Path which focuses on death and decay.
Compared to other strategy games that feature a linear and set path to follow, Battle Realms takes a more liberal approach and instead lets players decide how to play and which direction they want to follow. The game features a single-play campaign and a multiplayer mode, with up to 4 players on the map at a given time.
How do I play Battle Realms?
Battle Realms starts out just like most strategy games, with you having to build everything from scratch. The basic peasant units in the game are used for resource gathering and construction. There is a unique unit progression system where you will use the same workers, and train them to serve as various military personnel to do battle for you.
Military units in Battle Realms can be trained in various ways to serve specific purposes, such as for battle, recon, or building destruction. Battle units can be upgraded up to three tiers and can also take on different roles e.g. melee, ranged, or mounted units. Victory is achieved when various battle conditions are met—when all buildings are destroyed and all units(including peasants) are defeated.
There some things that could have used more work in Battle Realms, though. The gameplay, while fun and engaging, can be a bit too frantic and overwhelming at times even on lower difficulty settings. Another is that the game's A.I. is plain bad and just gets in the way, often deviating from commands and runs rampant during intense skirmishes.
Stylish, frantic, and fun
Battle Realms is a uniquely themed game that provides refreshing and focused gameplay compared to its contemporaries at the time. Two decades in, and it remains a hidden gem in a sea of strategy games that can often feel dull and "samey." If you haven't played it yet, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot.
