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E3 06: Disciples III: Renaissance Trailer Impressions

Strategy First's excellent turn-based strategy series is coming back in a fully 3D sequel in development at Moscow-based Akella and partner studio .dat. Read our first impressions based on the E3 trailer.

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LOS ANGELES--We were hoping to get our hands on a work-in-progress build of Disciples III over at Moscow-based developer Akella's corner of Kentia Hall at E3. Alas, the next game in the great turn-based strategy series was being shown only in the form of a trailer highlighting the game's different races and some of its new features. Nevertheless, we're back with some first impressions.

Like its predecessors, Disciples III will be a fantasy-themed turn-based strategy game chronicling a world on the verge of apocalypse, whose different factions are fighting each other for control and survival. We didn't get any details about the story, but at least we can confirm that the game seems to be doing a good job of retaining the impressive visual style of the previous titles, despite having to make the leap from 2D to 3D. Even though all of the units are rendered in 3D now, there's plenty of lush painted artwork to go with it, which has always helped make the Disciples games deliver a richer experience than most similar games. The series' signature dark, bleak fantasy world has stood the test of time thus far, so it'll be interesting to see if Akella can recapture it successfully.

The game's three races will be the Empire, a human faction; the Legions of the Damned, a consortium of demons; and the Noble Elves. Both previous Disciples games also featured the Mountain Clans, a dwarven faction; and the Undead Horde. While these aren't selectable races, Akella reassures us that these factions will still be present in the game. We're still left slightly saddened that there are fewer playable factions this time around, but we're hopeful that the smaller number will be made up for with considerable added depth. We got a chance to see an example of some of the 3D units from each of these factions, and they looked quite good. The elves have sort of an anime-inspired look to them, which has always been present in some of the Disciples games character designs. Elegantly dressed elfish sorcerers give the elf faction a regal air. Meanwhile, one of the demonic units we saw certainly looked fittingly disturbing, with all the human body-shaped protrusions coming out of its back. And the Empire's massive armor looks as intimidating as ever.

The gameplay itself promises to stay true to the spirit of the original but seems like it's going to make some significant changes at the same time. Leader units will now be able to cast spells as well as attack during battle, and, most importantly, units will be able to move about the battlefield (in previous games, they were locked into place). We're very curious to see how these differences, as well as the 3D graphics, will affect the feel and the strategy behind the combat. Apart from that, gameplay should still involve exploring large, colorful maps using your leader units and their parties, building up your strongholds one day at a time, researching new spells, and gaining experience levels from battle. Another change to expect is that leader units are now presented almost like full-on role-playing-game characters, with a paper-doll-style inventory system, stat points, and so on. Every piece of armor, every accessory, and every weapon will be visibly indicated on the 3D character model for your leaders, and as they level up, you'll be able to improve their stats as you wish.

Modes of play will include campaigns, single-scenario skirmishes, multiplayer, and a map editor, like in the previous games. The game is being developed with consultation from some of the original designers, and Akella and partner studio .dat seem to have a reverence for the series that should help Disciples III achieve the same relative quality of the earlier games. But we'll have to see. Disciples III: Renaissance is due out toward the end of this year, and we'll be keeping our fingers crossed that it ends up living up to its name.

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