Conquest - Medieval Realms Review

Conquest is a turn based tactical strategy game in the most basic form. It is not, for those afraid, a wargame. I would put this game one tactical step higher than Risk, which is about the least tactical strategy game there ever was. That isn't to say Conquest is without merit or appeal, heck, look at how popular Risk is!

Conquest is, at the core, a giant game of 3 tier rock, paper, scissor. Cavalry beats archers, archers beat spears, spears beat cavalry. In Conquest this is repeated two additional times, with level 2 and 3 cavalry, spears, and archers – who in turn beat everyone below them. Then you add an overlay map with simple zone control (meaning you can't enter a space next to someone you can't beat), add a few defense buildings and income to recruit and maintain units and there you have it – a simple strategy game that plays out in about 10 – 25 minutes.

Simply put, if you think Risk is a good game you're going to like Conquest – Medieval Realms. If you enjoy playing wargames with friends, Conquest is going to weigh in as too simple with an AI that simply isn't up to snuff with an experienced wargamer. Perhaps if you play online against other wargamers you will find a mental challenge, but the end of that story is there are better tactical combat games out there to be played multiplayer, and anyone who calls themselves a wargamer knows it.

At the end of the day, Conquest is a solid introductory strategy game and nothing more. If you're still new to the genre and conquering the world sounds interesting to you, you won't be disappointed. The game is flat out average in all respects outside gameplay, from sound to graphics.

Graphics:
Conquest – Medieval Realms looks good. It doesn't amaze, it doesn't impress, but it also doesn't fall flat. Everything is so generic and average, but the kind of generic and average you don't mind looking at time and time again.

Sound/Music:
Once again, there isn't much here to complain about. The music is non-annoying, you really zone it out, making it another average non-entity. That may be a good thing, music in a strategy game can quickly become a distraction. The sounds are super basic, get the job done, and won't annoy you.

Gameplay:
For the newcomers to strategy or wargamers Conquest – Medieval Realms is a great place to start. I can see a throng of people who think Risk is a strategy game go on to play Conquest and begin to get sucked into deeper games. Consider it a gateway drug for all newcomers; but for anyone who's already hooked it's just a mild diversion.

Concept:
This concept has been done before ad nauseam. I've seen many games use the same combat mechanics, same zone control mechanics, and same resource management. Frankly I am tired of it no matter how new it may be to a newcomer.

Value:
The price of 19.99 is cheap for a strategy game, expensive for a casual gamer. As a standard gateway drug, having a casual gamer pay 20 dollars again will also get them used to paying a whole lot more for more complex games (some of which cost upwards of 79.99!)

Fun:
I, as a veteran wargamer, was amused for a couple days with this title. A newcomer will probably get many hours out of it through the campaigns and multiplayer. A veteran will get their half-week long thrill and move on.

Overall:
Newcomers try this game. Veteran wargamers – well you'll try the game anyway but don't get your hopes up. Conquest is such a blissfully average game, I can neither give it glowing praise or a horrible bashing. It is entertaining for what it is, and maybe that is all that matters.