Most of the time we avoid talking about all the free-to-play that comes out on mobile, we would just do that and, it must be admitted, the quality is not always there. But, from time to time, an agency with whom we are used to working presents us with their latest game and, even if, at the time, the enthusiasm is not necessarily there, I therefore install the game, mainly to please. And, more often than I would admit, these games often stay on my phone for a very long time because they are really good! Warlords of Aternum is just one of them, a great surprise that I invite you to discover today.
It must be said that the game is not at its test gallop. Bought by Innogames, the strategy game Warlords has already been released and had its small success at the time. For this launch, the German publisher is offering new gameplay elements (such as lord levels or the boss Drrakha), changes to PvP as well as a global rebalancing, all with respect for former players who are able to recover all their progress.
First discovery
After installing the game, I run the tutorial and there, little surprise, the game is in English (temporarily, keep reading!) ... Finally, whatever, I continue and therefore discover the game board (here tiny). I control a single unit with which I must take down the two villainous orcs with ridiculous hit points. To do this, I have to move the unit (the Dewport Guard) and then tell them which target to attack. Each turn, each unit can thus make a movement and an attack (but the movement must always be resolved before the attack).
Without much difficulty, I succeed in taking down my target and unlock a second unit, the Royal Lancers. And there, by magic, the game returns to spanish, we must not try too hard to understand!
If necessary, the language can also be set in-game.
gameplay
The concept is extremely simple in itself, I have to take over the world! I'm not sure why, but with my units, starting from Dewport, I'm going to advance zone after zone towards total supremacy.
These areas need to be unlocked, which costs time and money. Then we must then fight for each region. The battles are settled on a turn-based basis on maps of varying sizes, sometimes with a limited number of units. Here, for example, I was only able to place three of my four units.
On each turn, I can move (if necessary) and then attack my enemies. But you have to be careful with the terrain because different styles of boxes change the resolution:
- forests reduce damage suffered by 50%
- by positioning yourself high above your target, you inflict 50% more damage
- swamps prevent movement and deal 50% more damage
- the villages take care of all the towers
Each time, the unit's movement area as well as its attack range is clearly identified. There are of course a large number of styles of units, whether in contact or at a distance, each with its own range of action.
On a rock / leaf / chisel principle, units are much stronger or much weaker against certain unit types (which are identified by a small icon on unit targets when selecting a unit). It is therefore necessary, depending on the opposing units, to always choose the right composition (the terrain will also play in particular in favor of distant or contact DPS).
Unit progression
Completing fights earns you equipment, upgrades, and shards (lucky I got all 3 below).
Each unit has three equipment slots: a weapon, armor, and a banner. Each can be improved with the Forge, increasing the level of the item and therefore its effectiveness against a pretty tidy sum of gold (or premium currency).
With the experience gained, the units gain ranks (which will always be lower than or equal to the lord's level), ranks which give access to training lines. Each line requires four improvements to be recovered to unlock the related bonus (increase in the number of soldiers, increased health points, increased damage, etc.). There are many, many lines!
The improvements are shared for the most part between the units, thus requiring to specialize (like the forge by the way, because the gold will quickly run out by improving the equipment level of everyone). Finally, shards allow units to earn stars (for a maximum of 5). I didn't really understand what it was for, although I imagine the more stars the better!
Other battles
In addition to the classic battles fought to extend its world domination, there are other styles of combat, like the island of the brigands, which requires to accomplish several fights until the boss, Jerrika.
Or the incursions of brigands coming to spice up the action. Other styles of content are also definitely going to unlock with my Lord level (which is currently only 4 as of this writing).
Merchant and shop
You have seen it in different places, there is regularly the possibility of using diamonds to accelerate an action, nothing however that does not seem really necessary to me. So yes, that requires waiting 2 hours for the region to be discovered. Or 5 minutes for the fallen units to recover from their emotions. Nothing insurmountable however. There is just one merchant who can possibly entice them to want to spend diamonds .. and more!
From what I could tell, no pay-to-win trend in this title, just accelerators.
Conclusion
Warlords of Aternum is a really fun, turn-based strategy game that's sure to be leaving my tablet anytime soon. From what I could see after several hours of playing, there is no obligation to spend a dollar if you have patience. Granted, the timelines will undoubtedly increase with levels, but the amount of units available, as well as the styles of content on offer, always offers something to do.
The graphics are pleasant, the sound environment in line with the martial and military atmosphere, putting perfectly in the atmosphere of our wild expansion campaign.
The game is available on iOS and Android platforms:
- Google Play
- Apple Store
