Real-time tactics game Strategos aims to outflank Total War with over 120 factions at launch

MicroProse or its contemporary iteration under the long-standing MicroProse brand has recently announced the publication of Strategos, a real-time tactics wargame set in classical antiquity. Upon encountering the game for the first time, my initial reaction to the screenshot was reminiscent of “Total War: Rome”. However, upon visiting the Steam page, it became apparent that this comparison may be flawed, primarily because Strategos is the brainchild of a single designer and programmer with contracted artists. Watch the trailer below.

Strategos seems to focus more on battle reenactments than Total War, with no apparent overworld maneuvering to contend with. Nevertheless, it does include some form of campaign element. The game boasts a myriad of factions and subfactions, with a staggering 120 armies to choose from, featuring 250 individual units. Many of these factions may not be recognizable, such as the Meroitic Kushites and Spanish Celtiberians. It’s akin to observing shieldwalls crafted from Haribo’s extensive lineup. Notably, there are five distinct variations of Macedonian armies, categorized based on the lifespan and legacy of Alexander The Great.

The Steam progress notes delve deep into the diverse playstyles cultivated by these factions, highlighting the intricacies of the AI. Here’s an excerpt from a post earlier this year.

“The AI has undergone various improvements to behavior and deployment. They are able to pick auto drop flanks better, move and maintain their line better, deploy and use horse archer armies more intelligently, and I’ve added more and better bespoke AI for Lancer lines, overwhelmingly light foot armies, medium foot armies, and bowmen deployments (including some bespoke deployments for bowmen armies that mix staggered lines of bowmen and infantry to protect their shooters, and for certain medium foot armies that will post up in terrain and draw you in with light troops/shooters). There are fixes to pursuit to charge, pursuing and evading with intervening routed units, moving and attacking coherently in formation, using more reserves, having multiple units coordinate against single targets, more intelligent evades based on matchup, pursuers pursuing other pursuers, and fixes to pathing around combats.”

As someone fatigued by kiting AI generals in Twarhammer, the intricacies mentioned sound intriguing, although the actual gameplay experience will be the ultimate judge. The game’s army control system, which necessitates placing generals within shouting distance of units for command or dispatching a courier on horseback with their orders, adds a layer of realism. This differs from the ability to micromanage a vast frontline from a bird’s eye view, as seen in Total War. While I lean more towards PC strategy gaming than wargaming, this feature evokes fond memories of the old Close Combat series, where losing radio contact with troopers during chaotic engagements was a real concern.

Here’s a summary of key points for Strategos:

– Simulate Large-Scale Battles – Command thousands of soldiers on-screen in meticulously crafted historical and speculative engagements.

– Master A New Scale Of Tactics – Experience the depth of tabletop wargaming in thrilling moment-to-moment gameplay. Strategic unit formations, morale shocks, fog of war, terrain effects, flanking maneuvers, and an advanced command and control system inspired by classic wargaming.

– Lead Armies from Across the Ancient World – Choose from over 120 factions and 250+ unique unit types, spanning nearly a thousand years of history–from Greek hoplites and Persian Immortals to the legions of Rome and the rise of the Sasanian Empire.

– Customize Your Experience – Conquer alongside the great generals of history in the Campaign mode, reenact specific historical battles, or set up custom battles within the Historical Battle Simulator. Select your army list and allies, units, maps, difficulty levels and AI behavior, or relive historical clashes such as the Battles of Issos and Raphia, with more to come!

As a side note, Strategos also refers to a military training simulator developed by Charles A. L. Totten for the United States Army. Originally published in 1880, it saw a resurgence in the 20th century and has influenced various tabletop games. Its impact likely extends into the realm of video games as well.