review by Al Giovetti

 

HOME
Reviews
By Al Giovetti
Price:
Genre:Strategy/Adventure
Release:September 1997
Developer: Strategic Studies Group, http://www.ssg.com/
Lead Artists: Steve Faulkner, Roger Keating, Ian Trout and Gregor Whiley
Programmer:
Producer:
Publisher: Broderbund Entertainment, http://www.broder.com/ , 1-800-521-6232
Phone:
Distributor: Redorb Entertainment http://www.redorb.com
Requirements:
Windows 95 or better, 75mhz Pentium Minimum, 16mb Ram, Minimum 40mb Hard disk space, 4x CD-ROM or better, 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 video, 256 colors, Sound Blaster 16 or 100% Sound Blaster Compatible Sound Card Video and Sound Cards Compatible with Direct X 3.0a or Higher, Full Multiplayer Support, 8 Player Support Via IPX Local Area Network, 4 Players Via 28.8kbps or faster connection to the Internet.


Warlords 3, Reign of Heroes

article by: Kevin M. Schaefer

History

Beneath the enemy's merciless heel, that is a line that rings true throughout Warlords 3, the long awaited sequal to part 2 and the wait was sure worth it, this game is wrought with strategic play beyond that I have yet to encounter in a game created for this genre, there was a time that I stayed up for thirteen hours straight playing until my hands were callous from contant game play. Strategic Studies Group, the programmers of strategic games such as the Warlords series has created in Warlords 3 the best in strategic game play or so I would say.

Company Line

"Hordes of the undead have overrun the Selentine Empire, leaving utter devastation and chaos in their wake. Now, from the ashes, powerful warlords arise to contend for power and build a new empire. Zombies, elementals, and other unspeakable beings array against heroes, warriors, and mercenaries representing human-kind's last hope. Using shrewd strategy, fierce fighting skill, powerful talismans and anchient magic, you may become the greatest warlord of them all... or be crushed beneath the enemy's merciless heel."

Game Play

As I loaded Warlords 3 I was expecting the norm in games, but I was totally unprepared to what awaited me within this game. I thought that I was going to be bored like usually having to stick to a certain story line or do what the computer was programmed to tell me to do, but alas I was fooled because this game allows you to choose your own destiny as you choose to advance your armies to the north, the west or the south as you see fit and the outcome will constantly change as you do advance. The game is based on strategy and since SSG put in an Artificial Intelligence Program to go against the player the game will undoubtably take much longer in defeating.

Many of the players out there in the real world love to play those "hack-em, slash-em" games, and mind you dont take that the wrong way as I myself do love a good "shoot-em-up, knock-em-down" game once in awile. However, Warlords 3 is much better appreciated by those who love strategy as I and many of my web buddies would agree, and though the game lacked a little in the graphics department the game play makes up for it in the end. The video clips which pop up at random intervals throughout the game wonderfully done, and the audio soundtrack is exceptionally well crafted for a game designed for the midevil period, "the music sets the right mood". The best part I personally enjoyed were the life like special effects which echoes as the player battles his foe or casts his spells at an enemy, the only bad part was listening to it over and over again.

Plot

Graphics

Animation

Voice Actors

Music Score

Sound Effects

Utilities

Multi-player Features

This game is also outfitted with the option of playing with your friends via the Internet through Red Orb Zone, when I recieved the game it came with free access to the Zone which I hardly used anyways. Subsequently, I gave into my temptations and proceeded to hop on anyway to battle my friends or join forces with one another and it all seemed to go smoothly up until the slow periods of the game, time zone conflicts or server problems, whatever it was it was painfully slow at some point. The Internet is not the only way you can play one on one with one another. you can have up to eight players through IPX local lan, or four players over the modem. The Red Orb Zone was nicely designed but it however needs much improvement.

Cheats, Hints, Walkthrough

The Conclusion

In Conclusion, Warlords 3 is one of the best games to have come from the vaults of Strategic Studies Group and Broderbund Entertainment, I would have to say that I've come to respect these companies for the skills the used to create Warlords Series and for the fun that they've given me over the years. Therefore, I would Strongly urge anybody who is in search of a challange to go out and purchase this game, I promise you that you are in for a real treat, and to all parents I'd say go out and get this game for your kids, they'll love it.

Kevin's Ratings

Game Play (3 Stars)
Strategic Play (4 Stars)
Network Play (2 Stars)
Graphics (3 Stars)
Sound Track (3 Stars)
Overall Rating (4 Stars)

Journalists

Put your review right here by emailing us the text.

References

PC Game Center

Issues Reviews Previews News
Walkthroughs Hints Cheats Archives
Interviews Yellowpages

Please send us your comments and suggestions.