Of all SSI's releases in the "5-star" series based on the acclaimed engine of Panzer General, Fantasy General is my most favorite and one of the most underrated.
What makes Fantasy General one of the best fantasy wargames ever? For starter, each of the four heroes you can choose as your alter ego requires very different strategies to win, as well as follow his or her own path to victory. For example, the Archmage Krell is a powerful magic user, and therefore will command an army mostly consisting of magical creatures. Krell can also cast a magic spell every turn on the battlefield, which helps even the odds for his relatively weak army.
The units in the game are also more than just Panzer General units in fantasy disguise: some units have spellcasting abilities, and some are unique heroes you can meet and recruit. All units improve their abilities with experience, and can be "upgraded" to better units when research is done. While multiplayer options abound, they pale beside the excellent plot-based single-player campaign which spans 5 continents, each of which presents new terrain and units.
Fantasy General also boasts several improvements over Panzer General and Allied General, the best of which is customizable research areas. As in previous 5-star games, you earn "prestige points" from winning each scenario to spend on new units. Here, you can also spend points on researching various unit types and setting priorities to suit your style, e.g. spend more points on air unit research to invent new units faster if you rely on air superiority.
The game is also highly replayable, thanks to alternate routes you can take for most continents, as well as very different units each hero commands. The only bad thing I can think of about this game is the fact that the last few battles are nearly impossible to win on the most difficult level.
Other than that, the excellent gameplay, varied missions and units, great replayability, and one of the best soundtracks ever made for a computer game combine to make an unforgettable playing experience. A must-have for all fans of fantasy wargames, and truly a watershed in the entire series. Two thumbs up!
Review By HOTUD
Comments and reviews
i want the link for spanish voices.
If you like this game, you'll LOVE Conquered Kingdoms by QQP with the scenario disk! The game is NOT to be missed.
Great game! I discovered it in 2022 and it's awesome! It's different than panzer general regarding tactics, but it's great! :D
fantgen is addicting and fascinating at the same time. Troops (especially heroes) who stand the test of time/warfare, gain experience and grow on you. Add some nice magical weapons and new upgraded units, fine cuisine. Excellent tactic battles.
This is the same game as Panzer Generals, and just like Panzer Generals, it is impossible to win. Oh you might get to lever five or so, but if you don't move this piece to this position by this tern, you loose. I have had 100% of my built up army, and taken over every city buy one, and still loose because my men were not at a certain spot by turn five. All these game do is make you a rat in a maze, forcing you to spend weeks of your time training you to turn right, turn left, and be at this spot by this time. And your reward is to learn how to be a good rat and learn another level. Which is sad, both of these games has some great features, and could be great games, it's just the way they play takes all personality and individuality out of the games. It's just Beat the Clock, with a war element thrown in to entice the player. They both have nothing to do with fun.
I have gotten the DOS game to run in Boxer on a Mac. Not really my kind of game. Just a simple battle game, plays similar to Panzer Generals.
Hello, does anyone know shp editor to extract graphics from the game?
Ohh, I found it again! Searching a lot, but not remember the game's name. When I look at pictures, I know, I get it!
Great Turn based strategy game. Trying on DosBox 0.74 and hoping it doesnt crash.
How can I get the sound to work?
Hi, when i run the Install.exe a dialog box open but nothing happens. Any idea why?
thanks, a lot of
Very good site for the ones like me who miss their old but sometime unreplacable games.
Cheers
Completely randomly, I find this game again! Thank you so much!
It seems that this game crashes under DosBox 0.74.
Trying now with Oracle VirtualBox/MSDOS 6.22...
Yes, yes and yes once more!!! I have been searching for this one.
One of the best turn based strategies ever! Thank you so much!
ftw
No comment nor review for this game at the moment.