Review by: Gavin Carter
Published: April 13, 2002

It seems everywhere I turn there’s another mediocre real-time strategy release following the same Warcraft II model that’s been playing for years now. One developer attempting to buck the trend is SSG, with their Warlords series of strategy games. The Warlords series has a long history beginning with the original turn-based Warlords and extending up through 1999′s Warlords Battlecry, the series’ first foray into the real-time realm. Warlords Battlecry offered up a few interesting alterations to the classic real-time formula such as a persistent hero to build up throughout the campaign. With the title’s success, developer SSG saw fit to release a sequel, Warlords Battlecry II, following the same real-time strategy paradigm of its predecessor.

One major change from the original title is that Warlords Battlecry II features no plot; the emphasis is firmly on the conquest of the world of Etheria. Gameplay unfolds on a large world map featuring 67 different provinces. Each of Warlord Battlecry II‘s 12 races, including the new races of Fey, Dark Dwarves and Daemons, has a headquarters in one province, and each begins to subjugate their adjacent territories as the game progresses. It’s up to you to stop their conquests, overrun their headquarters and lay claim to their lands. Once 40 of those provinces are under your control, the other races all capitulate voluntarily to you, and it’s your choice whether to accept their surrender or to push toward further conquests.

Any of the territories surrounding your domain can be selected for conquest. A right click on the map screen brings up basic info on the province, such as who owns or occupies it, how much experience it is worth and how much resistance to expect. Provinces near your home territory usually contain little resistance, being populated by small random tribes from any race. As you progress deeper into the continent, you’ll encounter more concentrated resistance and more aggressive opponents. Taking on another race’s headquarters results in the toughest missions of all, often requiring you to go head to head with that race’s Titan, their most powerful unit.

Each attempt at conquering an enemy territory plays out through a standard RTS mission. The most common mission objective is to simply be the last man standing, although other objectives are occasionally tossed in to provide variety. Objectives such as “raze the most enemy buildings in 30 minutes” or “be the first to build a level five keep” pit you directly in contest with the other races in the province. Larger maps can support up to four players at once, so getting into the field and wreaking some havoc quickly is often of paramount importance. The levels reflect the terrain of the province as seen on the world map, so attempt to conquer an island province, and you’ll find yourself leading troops across bridges and doing lots of island-hopping. The same applies with provinces in Etheria’s mountain ranges or wasteland region. The maps for those territories are appropriately snowy or barren, respectively.