Etherlords Preview
Etherlords is a turn-based strategy game that should appeal to fans of Magic & Mayhem and Heroes of Might and Magic.
Magic the Gathering might not be as popular as it once was a few years ago when it inspired several computer knock-offs and translations, but its influence can still be seen in games today. Nival Interactive's upcoming strategy game is in essence a cross between Heroes of Might and Magic and Magic the Gathering. This turn-based fantasy game, slated for a November release, is a meld of overland strategic exploration and card-game tactical combat.
In Etherlords, the gameworld is nearing a cosmic change. The balance of power is about to shift, as four factions vie to control the magic energies that power the world. These fours factions have aligned into two groups, one representing chaos and one representing law. The forces of Chaos wish to assault the Tower of the White Lord and claim its powers to reshape the world, but the forces of Law are arraying themselves to stop the chaotic usurpers. As the champion of either alliance, your job is to either usher in a new world order or protect the status quo.
The story may be simple, but it's simply an excuse to indulge in traditional fantasy gameplay. Etherlords is a turn-based strategy game and should appeal to fans of Magic & Mayhem and Heroes of Might and Magic. The concept is simple: control a handful of heroes, explore the map, gather resources, meet enemy heroes, and engage in tactical battles. The game is fairly small scale, and you won't have to manage hordes of troops or even too many heroes. However, there is lots of nuance in the troops you can control and a fairly sophisticated system of creatures and spells reminiscent of Magic the Gathering, complete with the same rules of engagement of that addictive card game.
While the gameplay may be simple, the graphics look like they'll do a good job of pulling in gamers. The game is in 3D and features a wide range of beautiful colors, textures, and many different models for the great variety of creatures in the game. You'll do battle in woods, snow, plains, and barren ground. The terrain in the overland map doesn't compare with the tactical scene, but it does look good. It's in the battle screen, though, where the eye candy is. On the snow terrain, for instance, snow gently drifts down from the sky, while an icy waterfall flows down the side of your screen. The woodlands feature a lush arena of green trees, and the desert has fine sand dunes and detailed columns of rock.
The game is really about throwing creatures at one another, and there is a plethora of fascinating monsters in the game. There are insects, plants, cyborgs, dragons, birdmen, and more. And they all sport detailed textures, fluid and realistic animation, and a genuinely unique look from faction to faction. Sound is also shaping up to be good, with lots of ambient noises for the creatures and your heroes.
So while the game itself might be something more akin to the 2D, turn-based world of Heroes, the visuals are more in line with the real-time 3D games of today, such as Sacrifice and Battle Realms. It's the focus that is different, harking back to a simpler type of gameplay.
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- Fishtank Interactive
- Nival Interactive
- Strategy
- Release: Nov 12, 2001
- ESRB: Teen
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