Graphics & Sound

I like the graphics in Battle Realms. Everything is 3D inside out, but there are two things that I'm not satisfied with. The first is the lack of camera angle/views. If Liquid had only incorporated that feature in to the game then it would have been better. Imagine Battle Realms having the camera angles, zooming in and out of the map just like what Black & White has. The only thing i can think of for the reason not doing such is the fact that everything is 3D and the computer might choke up with rendering too many polygons at the same time or just plain losing every damn fine detail there was to be (Ed - Another reason might be that people are easily disoriented when the camera is dynamic. Take Myth for example.). The other thing is that they could''ve improved the in-game cutscenes. Of course they all looked sweet, cute, and colorful but the characters look like crumpled cardboard boxes. Not that I'm dissing whoever made them but I just wished that they were already making the game look great, then why not do it all? Get the point?

The graphics in Battle Realms leaves an exclamation point for the entire RTS genre. Everything, from units ,movement, and design, overflows with style and artistry. The units are the game's graphics high point: Each unit throws a stunning show at combat to my delight. Military units collide with opposing units with a multitude of swings, blows, and spins that fit together as though each fight was choreographed. Unit idle animations show off its personalities, from the Samurai kneeling and praying to the Unclean One's spitting/vomitting. Character design has a strong anime (Ed - In layman's terms, Japanese cartoons) influence, giving each person an almost over-the-top style of his own. Each unit is easily distinguishable from which clan it came, and most players will find themselves experimenting with all the choices available in Unit Alchemy just to look upon each unit in its individual splendor.

The terrain of Battle Realms also exudes beauty and grace throughout. Terrain is made up of multiple textures that kind of moved away from the tiled look of most 3D RTS games. Each land contains realistic features such as rolling hills, wandering streams, dense forests, and even waterfalls. Graphics aren't always just for pretty looks, however. Visual touches like birds fleeing trees upon an army's approach can alert the enemy. Rain falls every once in a while, not only looking gorgeous but also replenishing rice fields, putting out any building fires, and reducing unit movement speed. Lighting effects are similarly fantastic, with the explosions of missile weapons casting out light and spark particles throughout the nearby vicinity.

ooohh... lightning!

lotus assault

peasants on the job

RTS veterans should be able to instantly use the Battle Realms interface in part because it has the same general layout and features perfected long ago. The right side of the interface contains the map, which is probably the low point in terms of usability, but is still functional. The map displays a detailed overhead shot of the terrain, but units and buildings are represented by simple colored dots. Still, the colors allow easy and fast knowledge of who's where on the battlefield, and the camera can be instantly moved with a single click. The middle section of the interface is where most of the unit management takes place, featuring individual hand drawn portraits for each unit and building type. It also shows icons for any special abilities or Battle Gear available for use and small meters for each unit's health and stamina. The left side of the interface features well laid out statistical information, such as rice and water quantity available, the time until the next peasant is produced, and the total number of units/population in the player's clan. The Battle Realms interface has all the marks of good design: It's simple and user-friendly.

multiplayer / skirmish

heavily guarded

sumo's wreaking havoc

Battle Realms features an excellent orchestral soundtrack, so you hear none of the overdone techno you get a lot of in games lately. It also fits the style of the clan you’re playing. If you’re the Dragon clan, you’ll hear a pseudo-Japanese soundtrack. If you’re the Lotus it’s creepy, dark, and a perfect fit with the clan. The music becomes more exciting when battles start, but it still keeps to the theme of the clan you’re playing. I like how they put the sound in the mission where when you're losing the mission there'll be a sad theme in the background much like when Maximus was dying in the movie Gladiator, hehe... (Ed. I see you've been watching HBO lately.) And as for the basic question asked about a game soundtrack, "Does it ever get annoying?" Answer: In Battle Realms, no.

Sound effects in Battle Realms are superb and are perfectly matched with the game's atmosphere. Weapons make the proper sound when they strike, spells and Battle Gear also have their own fitting sound effects. Voice acting also is very well done, both during battles with unit responses and in the cutscenes. All of the voices fit each clan's unique theme. Ambient sounds can be heard as well, with chirping birds and rushing creeks inhabiting much of the picturesque game world.

Gameplay, Single & Multiplayer