Gameplay, Single & Multiplayer continued...

The single player campaign in Battle Realms is slightly shorter compared to other RTS games. While there are four races in Battle Realms, only two of them have a single player campaign. No matter which clan you choose the campaign is basically the same (you win), but the clans are different enough that it’s worth playing through both ways. Some of the missions branch (adding replayability) but they end up with the same result. I wish that Liquid added campaigns with the Wolf and Lotus clans as they both have interesting units and stories. Hopefully (crosses fingers), Liquid will be making an expansion pack with single player campaigns featuring them soon. BR2? Maybe.

the confrontation

they could've improved these...

kenji

The rest of the single player campaign is well done. Storytelling is the biggest hurdle most games don’t overcome, but Battle Realms does it well. The heroes have character, the story progresses after every mission, there are plot twists, and they’re all cleanly executed. The maps are laid out with a single player game in mind, complete with cut-scenes and triggered events. High-level units are reserved for the later missions, and some of their introductions tie into the storyline. For all you hardcore multiplayer RTS fans, there is such a thing as a good single player RTS.

He is the what?...

mutant cats anyone?

kenji's fate

Multiplayer is done through GameSpy Arcade, which allows users to log on, and then join or start a game. You'll definitely want something better than a 56k modem for the best experience. Liquid certainly didn't skimp on multiplayer maps, including no less than 36 in the package covering all sizes and terrain types. They have already released even more maps to the public via their website, so there's no shortage of variety for multiplayer gaming. The developers saw fit to include a number of different multiplayer modes as well such as Famine, Survival and Killing the Keep, each with different objectives and starting positions. In addition, custom games can be created using the same myriad of options available as skirmish mode, such as starting resources, the speed of rice growth, and unit caps. Multiplayer supports up to eight players; matches that large can be quite epic in scale and immensely fun.

Final Words