Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the pixels: A free turn-based strategy game from 2003 has been wowing thousands of users on Steam, and we’re only realizing it now! Now it’s high time to share the find with you.
As an open-source game, The Battle for Wesnoth wants to put more of the spotlight on fan-made content, and it’s really resonating!
From over 3,500 Steamreviews results in an average of 94 percent positive player ratings. Here’s a concise summary of what Battle for Wesnoth is about, what makes it special, and why players are having so much fun with it.
How unknown Battle for Wesnoth actually is, can just be under 200 simultaneously active Recognize Steam players. The fact that this is a small, tight-knit community is revealed by the constant number of players over the years. A real insider tip, like the other representatives on our current list:
PC insider tips in January 2022
You should have that on your screen
Battle for Wesnoth in einer Minute
The turn-based strategy game takes place in a huge fantasy world in which different factions are at loggerheads. For example, as a human, you are allied with elves and take to the field against an enemy orc army. At least in one of the numerous campaigns, which for the most part straight from the pen of community members come.
The Battle for Wesnoth sees itself as Open-Source-Plattform, where players can create their own single-player fantasy stories. Or fight each other in multiplayer, depending on your taste. Factions, enemy types and missions differ from campaign to campaign.
The trailer summarizes the gameplay succinctly:
2:08
Battle for Wesnoth: Free hit strategy game shows how the gameplay works
Much more complex than it looks
In Battle for Wesnoth, we command our different unit types turn by turn. And our personal hero either goes directly into battle or recruits new warriors from the base. Fights relate the principle Scissors stone paper
with: Melee attacks are strong against archers, ranged attacks catch swordsmen flat-footed. This creates a complex tactical interplay on the battlefields.
We also level up our warriors, heal them if necessary, cast buff spells and ideally take the battle-hardened veterans from mission to mission to keep getting stronger.
Despite the pixelated guise, you shouldn’t underestimate Battle for Wesnoth in terms of its strategic claim. In battle, it is important to keep track of all troop movements of friend and foe, to take the terrain into account and always stay one step ahead of your opponent.
We also have a few screenshots from the strategy game for you here:
Battle for Wesnoth – Screenshots ansehen
What the players are celebrating
On Steam, fans aren’t just giving bare thumbs up, some are literally praising the game with their comments. player Godwin
sings a hymn of praise in the highest tones:
Battle for Wesnoth is a staple. I always install it on a new PC. Just… epic. Fantastic. Plus it’s free. Insanely valuable. Tremendous replay value. Create maps, campaigns if you want. PvP if you like. Just great.
Long-term players too Pastor Yoda
is enthusiastic:
A timeless classic. I’ve been playing Wesnoth on and off for 11 years now. I’m so glad it’s out on Steam and I hope it opens the door to some great multiplayer games. I’ve played through every campaign over and over again, and the add-ons are great too! Recommended for anyone who [Spiele] extremely detailed, strategic and with fantasy likes.
However, there has also been some criticism. player Martin Lockheed
For example, he is bothered by the random factor in the fights, which apparently completely spoils the fun for him:
I’ve heard arguments that this game calls for “fluid tactics” rather than “rigid tactics”. That the abolition of RNGesus makes the game “deterministic”. Dude, I’ve been playing tactical games and RPGs since Shining Force. You can miss in Shining Force. You can miss in Tactics Ogre. […] They all have RNG, but not nearly to this extent. And why not? Because the developers wanted you to have fun while playing!
As mentioned at the beginning, the critics remain in the clear minority. Most players are convinced of The Battle for Wesnoth.
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Are you part of the Battle for Wesnoth player base? What fascinates you about the turn-based strategy game? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!
