DESCRIPTION

The special edition of Lords of Magic continues the travails of the role-player in the land of Urak with offerings of new quests, monsters, buildings, guard towers, buildings and legendary creatures. Combining turn-based exploration, real-time combat and resource management, the game builds on concepts introduced in an earlier Impressions Software title, Lords of the Realm. In addition to the original game, this edition contains five new Legends of Urak quests: Scepter of the Lich, Dragon's Hoard, The Eternal Flame, The Holy Grail, and Siegfried and Brunhilde.

After selecting one of three lord types (warrior, mage or thief) and one of eight faiths (divided between elemental and arcane), you lead a party consisting of up to nine units and three Champions in your quest to defeat the evil Balkoth and his minions. Although designed as real-time combat, battles can be stopped at any time to issue orders, ready spells and re-position units, with the planned actions occurring immediately upon resumption of gameplay.

Magic is divided into four spell books (attack, defense, overland and general knowledge) and is complemented by additional magic scrolls, potions (healing and mana), artifacts, and items. Gameplay elements encompass alliances, espionage, trade, thievery, stealth, interrogation of prisoners, and bribes (gifts) among others. The manual contains a healthy section on strategies and tips, background sections on the history, beliefs and religions of Urak, spell and artifact appendices, and unit charts.

The new Lord Editor allows customization and creation of new characters or modification of existing lords including addition or removal of spells, units and artifacts, resource alteration, and starting conditions of buildings. The map editor, available in the original edition, provides two modes for adjusting the game through terrain (topography of the world map as well as creation of new worlds) and sprites (define and place capitals, temples, starting locations, combat encounters and more).

Lords of Magic: Special Edition offers immersive gameplay in the realm of magic and chaos. Buildings evolve, units gain experience, factions clash, magic flashes, and swords ring as the ultimate battle to rid Urak of evil continues unabated with the likes of Beowulf, Merlin and your imagination. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide