Review of Elven Legacy

Please see my review of the prequel of this game, Fantasy Wars, for a nearly identical review (both games share the same game engine, graphics, sound, gameplay, overlapping storyline and characters to some extent).

First the basics:

Video - 4.5; Positives include generally crisp resolution in higher settings, excellent terrain. Negatives are include character models, which are less convincing as well as some cinematics. Based on the somewhat scantily clad Elven women, one has to wonder what is wrong with the Elven males that their race is dwindling...

Sound - 5; excellent sound and musical score. Music was appealing and seemed broadly "period correct" - whatever that is for a fantasy game!

Gameplay - 4.5; Positives include ease of play and user interface, which is very intutive, as well as in-game battle sequences and sounds (though you have to get close to the action to really hear the sounds, which is realistic, I suppose). Spells effects are decent, overall, though most of the actual impact on troops is marginal. With a couple of noted exceptions, the magic takes definite second stage to the battle elements. Unlike Fantasy Wars, the elves have more magic, and there are two kick-butt spells that are the fantasy equivalent of tactical nukes which they can employ - devastating to most troops when they are concentrated together, and decent visual and sound for the spell effect.No mushroom cloud, though.

Atmosphere - 4; I found the maps and story line to be engaging and immersive, within the limits of a turn-based wargame (v. a first person game). Landscapes and buildings were overall well done and evoked the right reactions.

Replayability - 3 (5); Not much, unless you want to play it again at a differnt difficulty level or try some different units or tactics since the overall storyline is the same.

Commentary: Overall, I found the game one of the more enjoyable and engaging fantasy wargames I have played in some time. I admit I strongly prefer turn-based wargames that are NOT RTS (Real Time Strategy - but actually have little strategy and are mostly just "gather resources/build structures/produce troops" efforts with little or no real military tactics or strategy). Elven Legacy is - refreshingly - NOT an RTS, but a thoughtful turn-based strategy/tactics game with NO resource gathering, NO structure building, and troops are purchased/recruited rather than produced in structures. The only resource is gold (money), which you get for accomplishing missions or taking ground in cities.

So if you like turn-based wargames, and a fantasy theme is up your alley, this is a great game (as is Fantasy Wars, the prequel to this game and using the same game engine). On the other hand, if you really like the RTS "gather/build/produce" games, Elven Legacy probably won't be what you are looking for.



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