Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (Classic)

Before there was WARHAMMER: TOTAL WAR, there was...

Many say that game not aged well, controls is awkward, UI is awful. That's true, but years ago game was playable, bringing it's unique hardcore gameplay when you are lead mercenary army in Warhammer Fantasy world. You need to manage contracts, count upkeep fee for your regiments and so on. Sadly, this edition's numerous bugs make game almost unplayable at some point: you wouldn't get reinforcements after some missions, leader of one of the unit would die on deploy, mission branching can break and so on.

Feels more like I'm fighting the UI than playing the game. Issues with pathfinding and the targeting of enemy units results in needing to replay missions. Getting spellcasting failures with the Amber Wizard is very frustrating. Repeatedly clicking the Hero button to buff your own units engaged in combat quickly becomes tedious, and having to disable each unit’s automated AI before the start of each battle is a waste of time, especially when replaying missions in attempts to minimize casualties.

The old fantasy cut scenes are amazing. The difficulty setting is challenging, even for such an old game. I played this game as a kid. I loved it, but I never managed to beat it. Finally had my revenge! I want to Thanqoul Games Workshop for re-releasing this classic warpstone of a game.

Classic game, was funnily enough my introduction to Warhammer Fantasy a year or so ago. Definitely some problems with this release, which is a damn shame. - Audio popping during dialogue and cutscenes. - Sometimes the screen will turn black for a second when an ambush appears. - Nitpick here, the midi soundfont is different from the original, which isn't really a big deal but there also appears to be no AdLib version available either. Glad you can still edit the save files, which may be cheating but holy Hell is this game hard. Good luck to anyone playing this game blind, it can take you for a whirl. CHARGE!

Played this as a kid on the PS1. Was super excited to play it here, but it's practically unplayable due to lack of controller support and its antiquated interface. Being able to issue commands while paused would be a godsend, but in its current form you spend all your time fighting with the controls to actually enjoy the game.

Blast from the past. Delighted to see I'm still as ♥♥♥♥♥♥ in this game as I was 30 years ago or something. Game's great though.

*Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (Classic)*, developed by Mindscape and published by SNEG, is an early real-time tactics title that captures the spirit of Warhammer Fantasy long before the genre became more streamlined and accessible. It stands as a product of a time when strategy games prioritized simulation and depth over convenience, offering a demanding but rewarding experience that blends battlefield command with long-term army management. The game places players in control of a mercenary force led by Morgan Bernhardt, navigating a campaign that unfolds through a sequence of missions tied together by a central narrative. Unlike modern real-time strategy games, there is no focus on base-building or resource harvesting during combat. Instead, the emphasis is on preparing your army between missions and deploying it effectively once the battle begins. This structure gives the game a strong strategic layer, where decisions made outside of combat—such as which units to recruit or retain—can have a lasting impact on future encounters. Combat itself is where the game’s identity is most clearly defined. Battles take place in real time, but they are less about speed and more about control and positioning. Units move and fight in formations, and understanding how to use terrain, timing, and unit roles is essential. Infantry hold the line, cavalry exploit openings, ranged units provide support, and artillery can devastate clustered enemies if used correctly. Magic also plays a role, adding another dimension to combat through spells and magical effects that can shift the momentum of a fight. The result is a battlefield that rewards careful planning and punishes disorganized play. One of the most compelling aspects of the game is its persistent army system. Units gain experience over time, becoming more effective as they survive battles, but they also become more valuable and harder to replace. Losses are not easily dismissed, as rebuilding your forces requires both time and resources. This creates a strong sense of attachment to your units, encouraging players to think strategically about when to engage and when to withdraw. It also adds a layer of tension to every encounter, as the consequences of failure extend beyond a single mission. The campaign structure supports this sense of continuity by allowing players to make choices that influence the flow of the game. While the narrative itself is relatively straightforward, focusing on a Skaven threat and the efforts to stop it, the branching paths and mission variety give the experience a sense of progression. Each battle feels like part of a larger effort rather than an isolated scenario, which helps maintain engagement despite the game’s age. However, the game’s design is very much rooted in its era, and this is most apparent in its interface and presentation. Controls can feel awkward and unintuitive, making it difficult to manage units efficiently during complex battles. The visuals, while functional, are dated, with simple models and environments that lack detail by modern standards. These elements can create a barrier for new players, as the game does little to ease them into its systems or compensate for its technical limitations. The difficulty level further reinforces its old-school nature. The game can be unforgiving, often requiring multiple attempts to succeed in particularly challenging missions. Enemy forces can be overwhelming, and mistakes are rarely recoverable once a battle is underway. For some players, this difficulty enhances the experience, making victories feel earned and meaningful. For others, it may come across as frustrating, especially when combined with the limitations of the interface. Despite these issues, *Shadow of the Horned Rat* remains notable for its depth and ambition. It offers a level of tactical complexity that is rarely seen in modern titles, where systems are often simplified to appeal to a broader audience. Here, success depends on understanding the interplay between units, terrain, and timing, creating a strategic experience that feels both challenging and satisfying. In the end, *Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (Classic)* is a game that rewards patience and dedication. It may not be easy to approach, and its dated design can make it difficult to fully appreciate at first, but beneath those rough edges lies a deeply engaging tactical experience. For fans of classic strategy games and the Warhammer Fantasy setting, it remains a compelling and historically significant title. For newcomers, it may require adjustment, but those willing to invest the time will find a game rich in strategy and atmosphere. Rating: 7/10

The controls are unlabeled and the clicking is inaccurate. This game needs to be able to issue commands while paused. I could not get my squad to do what i wanted them to do. I played this game for PS1 many years ago and i enjoyed it. The screen and controls on the PS1 version was playable: this was not.

Arrivé à 2 heures de jeu, une mission ne se termine pas malgré que tous les ennemis soient éliminés. Impossible de progresser. Même après avoir recommencé la campagne complète, arrivé à cette mission, le problème persiste. Je demande donc un remboursement… quel dommage.