The one type of game we truly love here at GameWatcher is the humble Real-Time Strategy, and conversely it's a genre we certainly don't feel we're seeing enough releases in these days. Developer Pathos Interactive is hoping to change that with Bannermen, a new RTS that mixes classic ideas with some devastating new ones.
Bannermen has just released on Steam for $26.99/£24.99, and for launch week it's 10% off. We've put together a list of 5 reasons you'll want to check it out!
5. Story-driven single-player campaign
The centre of the Bannermen experience is a full story-driven single-player campaign set in the medieval-style world of Valtoria, with semi-fantasy elements. You take on the role of Lord Berrian, who after suffering a crushing defeat in battle must regain what he has lost, and recapture his kingdom's lost glory. You have to gather supplies, convert soldiers to your cause, and raise an army to take on the dark Lord Karthor.
4. Ranked and Unranked Online Multiplayer
No real-time strategy worth its salt goes into battle without a suite of multiplayer components for budding wargamers, and Bannermen has you covered. The game offers ranked matches to either prove yourself the best player in the world, or work with a friend to take on all other duos. Alternatively, if you just want to try things out and have fun without all the pressure of climbing (or falling) ranks, you can hit unranked play instead and work your strategies on human opponents that way.
3. Skirmish Mode against AI opponents
Don't like all the tension and speed of a match against human opponents, but want a more controlled environment than the main story campaign? Bannermen also provides the obligatory skirmish mode, so you can scope out the multiplayer world without the stress of taking on human beings. Crush an AI opponent first before you attempt it online!
2. Mixes classic RTS elements with devastating magic spells
Bannermen harks back to classic RTSs such as Age of Empires, with a focus on resource gathering, building bases for maximum defence and efficiency, recruiting units to your cause, and building up an army. Tried and true gameplay, there's a delicious twist: devastating and destructive magic powers. Find glowing runes and build temples to harness unique elemental powers that can either destroy everything in their path - or re-shape the world to better suit your needs, like freezing a river to allow your troops to cross... or shattering it if enemy troops try the same.
1. It's that mix of Game of Thrones, Age of Empires and Populous you've always wanted
For the last point we just want to reiterate some things you may not have realized. Bannermen is set in a world like an alternate medieval history, with semi-fantasy elements. It's a medieval-style RTS with resource gathering, base building, and empire building. Finally, you can summon devastating god-like powers, such as blizzards, electrical storms, and even volcanic explosions. Yes, Bannermen is a mix of Game of Thrones, Age of Empires, and Populous, which sounds awesome to us.
More to the point, it's a fun classic-style RTS with some really neat new ideas, and it's certainly worth checking out if that sounds the type of game you're after. It might be a while before the next exciting RTS, so give it a look.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Bannermen, developer Pathos Interactive, and publisher 2tainment GmbH.
