Fantasy General Download (1996 Strategy Game)

Fantasy General has a vast array of fantasy characters battling their way across exquisite battlefields to try and save their world from the forces of evil.

Each unit under your command has the ability to move a designated number of hexagons on its way to reclaiming an enemy castle for the forces of good. The class of the warriors in the unit and the terrain involved affects each unit's movement. For example, a unit of cavalry will move much faster than a unit of heavy infantry, just as a unit can travel more quickly across grassy plains than across a river or wasteland. Along the way, a unit can visit shrines or other special sites that may hide special weapons, additional warriors, or more enemies to fight.

Once you get the basic strategy of the game down, it's really not that tough. It can be difficult at first, but as your skills increase as the game progresses, each battle becomes close to a slaughter. Knowing when to pursue, when to fight and when to run away are key. Even though it does become easier as you go along, the fun factor is only slightly diminished. The time will pass all too quickly as you'll often spend over an hour to complete a specific battle.

My only complaints with the game are minor. While the graphics during each battle are quite good, some live-action cut scenes would have been nice. Also, there is story, but it is weak. It would have been nice to get to know my general's personality a little better. Other than seeing the same triumphant pose after each section of Aer is freed, we don't get to know him any better.

Fantasy General is a lot of fun as all of the problems are very minor.

Graphics: The characters look quite nice and are very distinguishable. Some cut scenes would have been nice, though.

Sound: The symphonic music fits the tone of the game perfectly (even if you may get sick of hearing it after playing for several hours). You also have the option of turning off the music so that only the great grunts of death and destruction can be heard.

Enjoyment: This one'll have you glued to your computer screen for hours.

Replay Value: The game is so long that you may be tired of it when you're done. However, there are three more generals you can beat the game with along with other battlefields you may not have fought on during your fight to victory.

Fantasy General is a turn-based strategy game set in a fantasy world with some steampunk/high-tech elements.

The forces of evil, in the form of the dreaded Shadowlord and his henchmen, have conquered most of the world. On the brink of defeat, the player (in the form of one of four heroes) is summoned as champion who will change course, free the world and defeat evil - or lose all.

The game features 10 unit types from four realms with lots of upgrades, complemented by a similar plethora available primarily to the opponent. Most of the game takes place on battle maps. Outside of those there's just a bit of basic recruiting, setting research priorities and financial managing. Battle maps are hex-based and feature lots of different terrain types that require a suitable approach - cavalry will rule on plains but is crippled in swamps. The player should build an army that is composed of the right mix of units and can adapt to new situations.

The game will look similar to players familiar with Panzer General since it uses a modified engine of said game.

The game offers two modes: the campaign against the Shadowlord or arena mode (single battle) against a computer or human opponent.

In campaign mode, the player selects one of four heroes, each with his or her special abilities and sets out to defeat the Shadowlord. The player must prove his or her own ability to adapt play style and army across five continents with different challenges until the player finally defeats the Shadowlord on Fire Isle.

How to run this game on modern Windows PC?

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Star General, Pacific General, Allied General, Jagged Alliance 2, Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games, People's General (a.k.a. Dynasty General), Master of Orion, Panzer General 3D Assault