Recently we received the following words of praise from Hotgames, one of the larger gaming sites.
Imagine, if you will, a game that combines all of the historical elements and complex strategies of classic titles such as Civilisation, Age Of Empires and Warcraft 2 and then wraps it all up in a deep turn-based title that pits you against players from around the world, all of whom are trying to the best and most powerful player. Sounds good? Well stop using your underworked imagination and download Fortunes Of War. It's a really neat game that allows you to act out your megalomaniacal urges on a global scale.
So what's the deal? You control one of five opposing nations (although alliances can be formed) that have declared war on each other. Each nation has their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so you need to choose your side carefully. Battle isn't the only way to win - diplomacy and espionage tactics can also be employed, and you can always concentrate on winning an economic war rather than a military one. There's so much depth to the gameplay that you'll always have some new way of playing.
What makes it even better is the excellent multiplayer environment - every move you make is permanent and you get a real connection to the stable game world. Curiously, it's also one of the first games that needs Internet Explorer 4 installed. Odd, but cool.
Several of our beta testers have also sent us their thoughts on the game.
I'm not totally familiar with the state of computer gaming, so I won't presume to comment on Fortune's commercial potential. However, I have a number of things to say about the game's quality:
Even though the game is not yet complete, playing it has been an extremely enjoyable experience. It's a very unique game; I can't think of anything of recent vintage that's at all like it. It's extremely simple to understand and play, and yet quite deep in terms of overall strategy. The all-human competition is what makes the game truly stand out, because it not only adds an element of complete unpredictability, but also makes the feeling of accomplishment much greater when victory is achieved. It's a relatively easy matter to beat a computer in a strategy game, but to defeat several other thinking, plotting human minds is something else entirely.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the game, in my opinion, is the diplomacy model. Again, even though it's not yet fully implemented, it adds an entirely new dimension to the conflict. The alliances, plotting, and betrayals that take place behind the scenes simply can't be matched in any standard computer wargame, and real-time strategy games don't have the means to use a system even remotely similar to this. Again, you've got more depth added to the game; while you're involved in the relatively straightforward task of engaging in war, who can you trust? And how long can you trust them?
The game also has a good deal of long-term potential, via relatively simple scenario design. The scenario editor allows not only the creation of new maps on which to play, but also of entirely new and unique races, meaning that games can be created and shaped to nearly any design you wish. That sort of flexibility gives it a built-in longevity that very few games can offer.
I expect this game to do very well among internet gamers. It's quick and easy to play, but with a constant level of challenge that means it'll never be easy to win. That, coupled with the unique "human element" it offers, means it should achieve a large following among both casual and hard-core strategy gamers. The bottom line is, it's a lot of fun to play, and that's what makes a game stand out in the crowd.
I was asked to share my opinion on the game we've been testing for some time now. In short - the game is excellent. The best strategy game I've played.
Now the details:
As you probably know, not too long ago Microsoft released Age of Empires - a game similar to Fortunes and already very popular. With all respect to 'the giant', Fortunes of War is far superior to it. The only thing that Age has better than this game are the animations, but on the other hand their size makes them a bit out of proportion to the maps...
Everything else - in my view - is already, or is going to be better in Fortunes.
For instance; the variety of units - Microsoft has all nations (or races, civilizations) 'equipped' with the same types and same number of units (infantry, cavalry and missile units like archers or ballistas). In this game each race has its own, historically true set of units. You may find there a nation with one type of cavlry only (like Rome) and other that have few different mounted units... This makes playing various nations a really different experience - as opposed to MS, where one is playing with basically the same pieces, regardless of how his nation is called.
Other features that Microsoft is missing in its Age are the ability to zoom in or out, and ability to easily find a unit, or a city in a few different ways. This makes the navigation as well as the game itself a lot easier and more playable.
I have been playing games of this genre for over 15 years. I purchase, on average 10 to 12 games a year that cost approximately 65.00 - 85.00 Canadian dollars each.
It is my honest belief, that this game, Fortunes of War, will be at the least, very successful in today's market. There are several reasons why I come to this conclusion. There is currently, no game quite like it, or for that matter, even similiar that I have found.( I have a subcription to a very popular PC game magazine, and visit several game review sites weekly. I always review before I buy. Since I buy roughly one game a month, its a constant task for me.)
Games that are played online are the hottest type of game going. Gaming online is in. The features and content of the game itself make for a pleasurable gaming experience that I continue to enjoy even after four months of daily playing. With the ability to add new content, scenarios, units, virtually the whole scope of the game ensures no repetitious game play indefinitely. The primary reason why games are generally shelved after a few months of play has been virtually removed because of this. Because the game is centrally controlled online, this means an opportunity to improve the game as new technology comes out. I'm grateful to have been given this opportunity to be a beta tester in a game that I know is great and fun. Thanks for your time.