Once again, I’m reviewing the newest expansion to Elven Legacy, which is Elven Legacy: Ranger, brought to you by 1C Company and Paradox Interactive. With 16 new missions and 12 new spells, I wondered if this would bring improvement to the original gameplay. I would say it does, bringing additional innovation to the turn-based strategy game. Like I’ve indicated before, I’m always looking for a good turn-based game. This one fits the bill.
Elven Legacy: Ranger has a great storyline and exciting interaction, and English (the preview of Elven Legacy was in Russian) makes it easier to know what’s going on. The story is all about a ranger looking to prepare the people of Illis for the land of Marcus, which has a rebellion forming. With all manner of creatures arrayed against him and his allies and friends, he builds an army to meet the evil that has befallen the land.
New players may find the gameplay a bit difficult at first. But I didn’t have any problems getting into the meat of the rule set. The missions in the early stages are easy but get harder as you progress further into the storyline. At a certain point I had to switch to easy mode as the default setting of normal was becoming increasingly harder causing restarts to finish the game mission. Tactical setup is essential as the wrong placement of your troops will cause disaster. If you don’t, you’ll have to restart the mission.
You’ll only be allowed to set up a maximum number of units, leaving the rest as reserves. The reserves are only allowed to enter the mission as you lose units. Bringing them on requires you to have a village under your control. It’s essential that you capture towns as you progress. You don’t want your newly arrived reserves to have to travel great distances.
The graphics are great for this type of a turn-based game. The music and sound effects add much and enhance the quality of the game. Replayability is good since there are three settings from easy to hard, making for a challenging time. Multiplayer unfortunately doesn’t exist. I greatly enjoy this type of game, and for you other turn-based strategy players, you can’t miss out in adding this to your collection.
Father of two, now grown children.What are my kind of games? Strategy, RTS, RPG, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and online games such as Dark Age of Camelot and Asheron's Call. Of my dislikes I would say puzzle games such as Myth, FPS type games such as Doom. Also simulation type games, and games that are just plain bad.
My knowledge of the industry mostly evolves around beta testing games, such as Earth & Beyond from EA, Saga of Ryzom, and companies like MSN and Acolade. Self taught web design is another interest I have. Family life is entertaining at times. It also can get weird as well, after you have been married 31 years.
