SpellForce 3
SpellForce III
Release Date: December 7, 2017
Strategy, fantasy, RTS, RPG elements, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
The third installment in a fantasy game series launched in 2003, which combines elements of RTS and RPG. The title was produced by Grimlore Games, a studio founded by the series’ publisher, which employs some of creators of the first two SpellForce games. Story-wise, SpellForce 3 is a prequel to the previous titles. It is set in times, when this fantasy world was still a vast, unified continent.
Last Update: December 13, 2017
SpellForce 3 Game Guide
This guide for SpellForce 3 contains a detailed walkthrough for campaign and side quests as well as descriptions of the game mechanics. You can also find information about all available races and their units.
Videos and Screens
[0:48] SpellForce 3 Reforced Reforced launch trailer
[2:49] SpellForce 3 Reforced Reforced trailer #2
XboxEra: 8 / 10
While the campaign story is good and understandable it is easy to become overwhelmed by the forced dialogue and the RTS gameplay is intuitive but it can take a while to take it all in and program your hands to use the radial wheels efficiently. Overall I recommend Spellforce III : Reforced as a fan of RTS and ARPGs
WayTooManyGames: 4 / 10 by Thomas Medina
I could keep going about how much this doesn’t work, but that would be putting in more work than the developers did for SpellForce III Reforced. It’s a rare case of a game that I just enjoy from the start, and it only got worse the more I played. There are games I would consider to be bad, but this is a whole different beast. It just fundamentally doesn’t work. I would struggle to order one group to attack an enemy during battles, and by the time I did, the rest of my army had been massacred by everyone else. I’ve never been so frustrated with a game before.
Video Chums: 8 / 10 by Alex Legard
SpellForce III Reforced is a very ambitious RPG that I'm sure you'll enjoy if you're a fan of classic CRPGs like Baldur's Gate. However, learning how to manage an economy in this RTS game has a fairly steep learning curve. Then again, maybe you want this because you're an experienced RTS player and you've never played Baldur's Gate; I won't judge.
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Storyline: Many players highlighted the thrilling narrative, with well-developed characters and engaging plot twists. The story is immersive and keeps players invested in the outcome.
- Visuals and Graphics: The game is praised for its beautiful graphics and detailed environments, enhancing the overall experience.
- Voice Acting: The fully voiced characters contribute to the immersion, making the game feel more alive.
- Gameplay Blend: The combination of RTS and RPG elements is generally well-received, allowing players to customize their characters and engage in strategic battles.
- Exploration and Side Quests: Players appreciate the vast maps and the rewarding exploration, with meaningful side quests that enrich the main story.
- Character Customization: The ability to change character classes (archer, fighter, mage) and gear adds depth to gameplay.
The main cons of the game
- Gameplay Mechanics: Some players feel that the gameplay can be tedious, especially in terms of RTS elements, and that the game does not always balance the RPG and RTS components effectively.
- Difficulty Issues: Certain missions, particularly in the prologue, have been criticized for being overly challenging due to enemy AI behavior and resource limitations.
- Long Load Times: Users have reported excessive loading times between maps, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- Lack of Closure: Some players were disappointed with the ending, feeling that it did not provide adequate closure or opportunities to interact meaningfully with companions.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Improved AI: Many reviews indicate that the AI could be better, particularly in combat scenarios where it fails to prioritize targets effectively.
- More Distinct Races: Players expressed a desire for greater differentiation between the various races in terms of gameplay and unit rosters.
- Enhanced RTS Functionality: Some users wanted more depth in the RTS mechanics, such as clearer unit commands and better resource management systems.
- Reduced Dialogue: There are complaints about the length and amount of dialogue, which some players found overwhelming or tedious, detracting from the overall pacing of the game.
- Bug Fixes: Technical issues, such as bugs affecting gameplay and exploration, were noted as areas needing improvement.
Summary
- Overall, while SpellForce 3 Reforced has received praise for its storytelling, visuals, and gameplay blend, it also faces criticism regarding gameplay mechanics, difficulty spikes, and technical issues.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 438 votes. 696 players anticipated the game.
SpellForce 3 Reforced Description
SpellForce 3 for PC is the third installment of the series of RTS and RPG crossover games from the Grimlore studio, the creators of the previous two editions of SpellForce, who work under the wings of the Nordic Games company.
Plot
The storyline of SpellForce 3 takes place before the events of the first installment of the cycle, before the fantasy world has been torn into relatively small islands. The new time setting causes a complete change in the structure of locations – instead of dedicated regions connected via portals, the production features a consistent, large continent.
Gameplay
The player controls his character and directs its progression similarly to a standard RPG title; the creators have prepared a variety of abilities, classes and specializations, which can be freely drafted to suit your playstyle. The main protagonist is accompanied by other heroes, during the exploration of dungeons and catacombs we can control a group of up to five characters; when running a larger team SpellForce 3 resembles some of the hack-and-slash type productions. The gameplay is focused around fighting small groups of enemies, solving puzzles and avoiding traps.
On the planet’s surface the players can establish a camp and recruit troops to aid them in battle. The scale of skirmishes in the newest installment of SpellForce has been increased, which is also why the men we hire could easily be considered regular soldiers, who understand the meaning of strategy and can work together in fighting formations.
Apart from the main story-focused missions the developers have prepared plenty of side quests and also a well-developed multiplayer mode. For the purposes of their new title, the Grimlore studio has created a Battle.net type service – SpellForce.net, which offers various options for interaction between players.
Technology
SpellForce 3 uses a brand new game engine, capable of generating a detailed open world with entire virtual civilizations living within it.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
SpellForce 3 Reforced Summary
Game Series: SpellForce
Platforms:
PC / Windows December 7, 2017
PlayStation 5 June 7, 2022
Xbox Series X/S June 7, 2022
PlayStation 4 June 7, 2022
Xbox One June 7, 2022
Developer: Grimlore Games
Publisher: THQ Nordic / Nordic Games
SpellForce 3 Reforced System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4 GHz/AMD FX-6350 3.9 GHz, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 660 / Radeon 7850 or better, 15 GB HDD, Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6 GHz/AMD FX-8350 4.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 970/Radeon R9 290 or better, 15 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
![SpellForce 3 With Playable Undead Thanks to Fan Mod [Update: version 1.3.1 is out]](https://cdn.gracza.pl/i_gp/h/16/421147610.jpg)
SpellForce 3 With Playable Undead Thanks to Fan Mod [Update: version 1.3.1 is out]
SpellForce 3 has gained a new playable faction in the form of the undead. All thanks to the fan project called Undead Faction.
Files and Mods
Adrian Werner
September 20, 2023
SpellForce 3 Reforced Available on PC; Free Patch Adds New Features and Game Modes
SpellForce 3 Reforced was released today on PC as a free patch. It introduces new game modes and balance changes. On this occasion, THQ Nordic prepared a fresh trailer.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
December 7, 2021
SpellForce 3 Reforced Announced; Iconic RPG/RTS Hybrid Coming to Consoles
Grimlore Games announced that the third installment of SpellForce will be coming to consoles. SpellForce 3 Reforced is scheduled for release on December 7, 2021.
video games
August 24, 2021
SpellForce 3: Fallen God Free Beta Goes Live
Open beta tests of the standalone expansion Fallen God for SpellForce 3 have started. The tests will last until November 1, so if you want to check out the game, we advise you to hurry up.
video games
Adrian Werner
October 29, 2020
New Trailer of SpellForce 3: Fallen God Reveals Release Date
We already know when we will be able to play the Fallen God expansion for SpellForce 3 - a new trailer has been published today that reveals the release date.
video games
September 30, 2020
SpellForce 3: Fallen God Announced; Trailer and Hardware Requirements Revealed
Grimlore Games announced a standalone expansion with trolls for SpellForce 3, titled Fallen God. The developers also revealed the trailer and hardware requirements of the upcoming add-on.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
June 7, 2020
SpellForce 3: Soul Harvest expansion announced
The upcoming expansion to SpellForce 3 will introduce two new playable factions and flying units for the old ones.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
December 18, 2018
Elex pushed back to Q3 2017
Did you hope to play Elex within a couple of months? Well, don't. The next action RPG from Piranha Bytes is not coming out until Q3 2017.
video games
March 7, 2017
SpellForce 3 to come out this year; check out new screenshots and info
Nordic Games revealed some new screenshots and info about SpellForce 3. Following the tradition of the series, the game is to combine RTS and RPG elements. No release date has been given yet, but the title is to come out this year.
video games
May 27, 2016