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Battle Realms: Zen Edition
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Strategy, fantasy, RTS, mythology, remasters/remakes, co-op, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
A refreshed version of Battle Realms RTS from 2001, including the base game and Winter of the Wolf expansion. In Battle Realms: Zen Edition we end up in a universe torn by clan wars and inspired by Asian mythology. We can play story campaigns, skirmishes or engage in multiplayer. The new version features improved graphics and many bug fixes.
Videos and Screens
[1:23] Battle Realms: Zen Edition - Trailer #1
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia Factor: Many players express joy in returning to a beloved classic from their childhood, highlighting the emotional connection to the game.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The unique combat system is appreciated for being easy to pick up yet challenging to master, offering strategic depth.
- Improved AI: Players note that the AI is significantly smarter compared to the original version, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Performance on Low-End PCs: The graphics remain accessible for older hardware, allowing players with low-spec machines to enjoy the game.
- Multiplayer Enjoyment: The multiplayer mode is generally well-received, especially for playing with friends and family.
- Audio and Voice Acting: The game's audio, including voice acting in various languages, is well-regarded, adding to the immersive experience.
The main cons of the game
- Bugs and Technical Issues: Many users report encountering bugs, including crashes, sync errors, and graphical glitches that detract from the experience.
- Campaign Changes: Some players feel that the rebalancing for multiplayer has negatively impacted the single-player campaign, with changes to core mechanics that were not requested.
- Difficulty of AI: While some enjoy the challenge, others find the AI too difficult, making the game frustrating, particularly for casual players.
- Lack of Features: Users express disappointment over missing features such as a 2x speed option, LAN support, and the ability to rotate the camera.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Expanded Content: Players desire additional content, such as new clans, zen masters, story arcs, and a map conquest mode.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions include the ability to save progress during the campaign, better stat visibility for units, and improved matchmaking or multiplayer filtering options.
- Support for Modern Systems: Some users report issues with running the game on newer operating systems like Windows 11 and request better compatibility.
- More Updates and Fixes: There is a call for continued support and updates to address existing bugs and enhance gameplay.
Summary
- Overall, while Battle Realms: Zen Edition is celebrated for its nostalgic value and enjoyable gameplay, users highlight several areas for improvement that could enhance the overall experience.
Summary generated on:
Battle Realms: Zen Edition Description
Battle Realms: Zen Edition is a refreshed version of the RTS released in 2001 under the title Battle Realms. This project is the work of one of the original authors, Ed Del Castillo. In addition to improved graphics, it includes the Winter of the Wolf expansion, which serves as a prequel, as well as numerous bug fixes.
Story
The story of Battle Realms: Zen Edition takes place in a fantasy universe inspired by Asian myths. The land we end up in has become an arena for battles between four feuding clans - the Dragon, the Snake, the Wolf, and the Lotus. The main character of the game is Kenji, the heir to the throne of the Snake Clan, who returns from exile to his homeland to reclaim what is rightfully his, or to contribute to the revival of the Dragon Clan.
The Winter of the Wolf expansion takes us seven years into the past. Thanks to it, we can trace the path of the Wolf Clan to liberate themselves from the yoke of their wicked masters from the Lotus Clan.
Gameplay
In Battle Realms: Zen Edition we watch the events from a bird's eye view.
Clans
Each of the clans shaking the world of the game has its own history and culture, individual characteristics, a set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as unique units. The Dragon Clan places honor first, which forbids its members from using firearms. The priority for the Wolf clan is freedom, although the units representing it do not use horses. The Lotus Clan practices magic, while the Snake Clan does not hold back on the battlefield, using gunpowder and not shying away from theft.
Unit recruitment
Similar to most other games of this type, we gather resources and produce food in the game, erect new buildings, as well as raise an army and engage in real-time battles. The game stands out against classic RTS titles thanks to a few of its unique mechanics.
Firstly, soldiers here are not separate units, but specially trained peasants. Thanks to education, they can become samurai, berserkers, bandits or shooters. Additionally, each of the soldiers can mount a horse. They are complemented on the battlefield by heroes (Zen Masters) who are important and strong enough characters that they can change the fate of many battles. We improve individual subcommands using Yin and Yang points gained in battle.
Tactical possibilities
The outcome of the battle is determined by the tactics we choose. We should take into account the terrain (elevations give an advantage to shooters, while a forest allows our army to hide), weather conditions (rain slows down units), the type of troops and finally their fatigue (soldiers deprived of stamina become slower and cannot perform certain maneuvers).
Original systems
Additionally, other mechanics influencing the outcome of battles have been implemented in the game. The fire spreads here in a realistic way (hence fires should be extinguished as soon as possible), while birds scared off by the troops can reveal their position. This can be avoided by ordering our subordinates to march instead of run. On the other hand, it is also worth using the latter, as it allows for charging and attacking enemies by surprise. A special mention should be given to the boulders, which can be rolled down sloping surfaces, turning them into a deadly weapon.
Coop and other game modes
Battle Realms: Zen Edition allows for single-player gameplay or multiplayer mode over the Internet for up to 8 players. We can cooperate or compete with other people, while alone we can play story campaigns or in skirmish mode.
Better graphics and other improvements
Battle Realms: Zen Edition stands out from the original due to its refreshed graphic design, which supports widescreen resolutions and allows to play on two monitors. Moreover, the author of this remaster addressed a series of errors plaguing the original.
Battle Realms: Zen Edition Summary
Early Access:December 3, 2019
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Ed Del Castillo
Publisher: Ed Del Castillo
Age restrictions: 12+
Battle Realms: Zen Edition System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Pentium III 750 MHz, 256 MB RAM, graphic card 16 MB, 1 GB HDD, Windows 10
Recommended: Intel Core i3-3210 3.2 GHz / AMD A8-7600 3.1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, graphic card 32 MB, 1 GB HDD, Windows 10/11