Warrior Kings: Battles

While this game doesn’t quite match the original, it’s still worth playing. It introduces strong new battle units that are genuinely useful to the player. There’s no real story it's all about conquering a fictional Europe and Asia but for its age, it holds up well. It may no longer stand as a leader in the strategy genre, yet it remains a must play.

Gameplay Mechanics: 7/10 Narrative: 5/10 Graphics: 4/10 Sound and Music: 6/10 Replayability: 7/10 Innovation: 8/10 PROS: + building & unit tech trees + unit formations make a difference + battleground choice matters + really fun multiplayer + fixed many bugs from Warrior Kings CONS: - clunky & outdated graphics - some AI bugs - no story in the campaign, just skirmish battles - maps start (mostly) with just manors built - hard to set up a mulitplayer game Comment: Clunky graphics, AI path glitches and a bland campaign. But it is still fun to play. While I personally like the original Warrior Kings much more this is a good game for anyone who likes medieval-themed strategy games with a dash of fantasy. I feel they could have kept the epicness of the Artosian campaign in but I get their choice. However it feels weird that Telamagna (capital of the world Orbis in which the game is set) is just a bunch of buildings at the start of the last battle. However the AI is balanced and will give you a challenge until you figure out a strategy. In terms of mulitplayer this game is far ahead of the previous one and is really fun to play with your friends as then you will have more time to cherish all the different tech trees and the beautiful castle building

This was a good game overall, I do wish they made more to it and/or expanded it. Playing it as a kid was fun and replaying it was good as well.

I played this game a lot as a kid, I recently bought it on Steam, I haven't really had time to play it yet, but now I'm sure I'll have many hours of fun with it, I can only recommend it. 10/8,5

fantastic old RTS

Yes.

My love, my precious. Why don´t they make games this good anymore? Where are the legends who created this gem?

Gameplay Mechanics: 8/10 Narrative: 5/10 Graphics: 6/10 Sound and Music: 6/10 Replayability: 7/10 Innovation: 8/10 Warrior Kings: Battles is an underappreciated gem from the early 2000s that offers a unique twist on classic RTS gameplay. It mixes large-scale battles with base-building, resource management, and a branching faction system that still feels fresh today. Gameplay mechanics are deep and satisfying. You’ll expand your economy, construct vast cities, and raise armies to control the map. The path you take—Pagan, Imperial, or Renaissance—shapes your entire strategy, from unit types to available buildings. The combat is large in scale, with flanking, morale, and elevation all playing key roles. Score: 8/10. Narrative is minimal. There’s a loose campaign setup and some brief context for missions, but this is not a story-driven game. It’s mostly about strategy, not characters or plot. Score: 5/10. Graphics were solid for their time but are definitely dated now. Units and environments are functional and readable, but don’t expect anything visually striking by today’s standards. Score: 6/10. Sound and music are decent. The soundtrack has some medieval flair, and battle sounds get the job done, but overall audio design lacks punch. Score: 6/10. Replayability is good, especially due to the faction branching system. Trying different alignments leads to radically different strategies and unit compositions. Skirmish maps and the dynamic AI add variety. Score: 7/10. Innovation is where the game shines. The tech path system, large maps, and blend of tactical and economic gameplay made it stand out then—and still do today. Few RTS games have tried this kind of alignment-based strategy path since. Score: 8/10. Bottom line: Warrior Kings: Battles is a forgotten classic with ambitious ideas that hold up surprisingly well. It’s rough around the edges, but for RTS fans craving depth and strategic variety, it’s still absolutely worth playing.

Very nostalgic and cool game)

Настоящая классическая RTS на заре перехода жанра в 3D. Не стоит ожидать от игры 2002го года "вау" эффекта. Одна из пионеров среди стратегий в 3D формате. Сейчас кажется наивной и невзрачной, но 20 лет назад она была прорывной и давала досточную альтернативу в жанре. Свежий взгляд на древо развития, новые механики, сюжет и даже взаимодействие с глобальной картой. Если вы настоящий ценитель классических игр жанра, то Вам стоит поиграть. Не думаю, что игра затянет на недели, но пару вечеров сможете провести с удовольствием, погрузившись в мир классики и олдскула, когда Солнце светило ярче и трава зеленее....