This is a remastered edition of a classic turn-based strategy role-playing game, originally released in 1999. It places players in the role of Queen Catherine Ironfist, undertaking a quest to reunite her fractured homeland and reclaim the kingdom of Erathia. The core experience involves guiding powerful heroes who command armies of diverse fantasy creatures.

A Classic Reimagined

Launched in 2015 for PC (Microsoft Windows), this edition presents an updated visual and auditory experience of the original critically acclaimed title. The fundamental gameplay remains faithful to the 1999 release, preserving the strategic depth and narrative that established it as a significant entry in the fantasy strategy genre. The enhancements focus on modernizing the presentation while retaining the established gameplay mechanics and original content.

Visual and Audio Enhancements

The "HD Edition" signifies a notable upgrade to the game's presentation. Players can expect refined graphics that render the world and its inhabitants with increased detail and clarity. This includes higher resolution textures and improved visual effects, intended to create a more immersive fantasy world. Audio elements have also been updated to complement these visual improvements.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The game operates as a turn-based strategy experience. Players navigate a world map, manage resources, develop towns, recruit diverse armies of fantasy creatures, and engage in tactical combat. Heroes gain experience, learn spells, and acquire artifacts, enhancing their capabilities over time. The strategic layer involves managing the in-game economy, expanding territory, and outmaneuvering opponents through careful planning and troop deployment. Combat takes place on a separate tactical grid where unit positioning, abilities, and spell usage are critical for achieving victory.

Preservation of the Original Experience

A central aspect of this release is its commitment to maintaining the original game's content and overall feel. The campaign, detailing Queen Catherine Ironfist's journey, is a primary focus. The game mechanics, encompassing intricate town management, hero progression, and the turn-based combat system, are largely consistent with the 1999 original. This approach ensures that players familiar with the original will find an authentic experience, while new players can discover the game that influenced a generation of strategy titles.

Content Availability

This specific edition includes the content of the original base game, presented with updated visuals. It does not incorporate any downloadable content (DLCs) or expansions that may have been released for the original title.

What makes this game unique?

The game's sustained appeal stems from its combination of empire management, hero development, and tactical combat, all set within a detailed fantasy universe. The variety of creatures, spells, and artifacts, coupled with challenging scenarios and campaigns, contributes to significant replayability. The strategic depth ensures that each decision has consequences, influencing exploration and army composition.