Styrateg

If Styrateg had been published in, say, 1992, we might talk of it in the same breath with Warlords or Heroes of Might & Magic; it's a nice, focussed turn-based fantasy RPG with an engaging story, pretty graphics (in a somewhat retro 2D tile-based mode), and Medieval-style music that's reminiscent of the soundtrack to Europa Universalis.

It has RPG-ish character advancement; levelling up allows you to improve your character stats and skills, and in some cases gain new skills. Each level has a turn limit, which creates a sense of tension missing in many turn-based games; you fail if you don't finish a level in a set number of turns (but can always replay it, of course).

On the whole, Styrateg is tight, well executed, and a nice change of pace from the bombast and lack of polish of some recent mainstream fantasy titles.

The Developer Says

A narrative strategy based on the balanced and unique mixture of adventure, action and investigation in a great RPG adventure with original medieval music. Quests in twenty levels of mysterious blend of action and story.

The heavy clouds on the horizon gather as there are troubled times to come. The kindom of a wise king is in danger. Legions of unearthly adversaries come from the unknown to spread the plague and disease across the ancient kingdom. The king calls his faithful to cut the evil by its throat and rip out the roots of the plots. Hear the calling of the king and enter the world where wizards and sorcerors posess arcane knowledge, noble kings and warriors are brave...

Your investigation and actions will take you through many adveturous quests in deep forests, hot deserts and frozen icebergs. You and your party will look for the clues to solve the mystery in ancient monasteries, countryside villages and blood bathed battlefields. You will encouter many adventures with strong and fierce barbarians in cold northern mountains, you will fight the monsters, ghosts and villains to stop the abomination of the ancient kingdoms and to free the lands of Styrateg of evil.

Adventure awaits those who hear the callling. Lost treasures waits to be found.

Features:

• many adventures in 20 unique levels
  
• strategy and RPG mixed gameplay with more than 60 quests
  
• different player characters and many special skills and spells for your units
  
• tons of magical items
  
• over 40 kinds of enemies
  
• colorful hand drawn graphics with strong fantasy atmosphere
  
• original music score performed by two bands specializing in historical music

Reviews
"
Styrateg is an example of an independent game company excelling...a sharp little tack of a game that delivers fun gameplay in a neat little package."
    - Played To Death