So I recently got the itch to play some fantasy RTS games, my favorite genre for computer gaming, and I was sad to find that most if not all fantasy RTs games have been dropped by their parent company.
Thankfully, the community has rallied behind some games and brought them back from the edge of death. I wanted to share the games that I found that have been given a 2nd chance at life, and hope to bring some new players to these games.
1) Age of Mythology --- probably my favorite RTS game hands down, this game has been brought back thanks to a community of programmers called Forgotten Empires, who brought the game out onto steam as the extended edition and then recently added a new expac called Tale of the Dragon which adds the chinese as a new civilization.
The game is available on steam for download.
Forgotten Empire website ---- http://forgottenempires.net
Tale of the Dragon gameplay ---
2) Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth 2 ---- I used to love this gem, huge Tolkien fan, and it sucks that EA dropped it and never put it up on their Origin store for electronic download. Luckily, the community has brought this game back and developed a working private server with complete support for BFME1 and BFME2 with ROTWK support in the works and a free complete download version of both games and the expansion.
Private server and modding --- http://the3rdage.net
Patches and Game download --- http://thebfme.com
Battle for Middle Earth 2 gameplay ---
3) BattleForge --- This game was rather unique and different to the fantasy RTS genre, as they did away with most base building and replaced it with a card deck system in which you build your army based on your cards. The game had great PvE and PvP and beautiful graphics, but EA dropped this game as well leaving it to die. Thankfully the community has rallied around the game and is currently in the works of bringing BattleForge back and a dedicated private server for online gameplay.
Due to IP issues, they have changed the name of the project from Battleforge Reborn to Skylords Reborn and the project is currently in closed beta status. Cannot wait for open beta!
Community website --- www.bfreborn.com/
SkyLords Reborn Trailor ---
4) Paraworld --- I'll be honest, I did not know that this game even existed until a few weeks ago, and I am sad I never saw this game before. Paraworld is a fantasy RTS that takes place in a parallel world were dinosaurs, ice age mammals, and technology exist in constant battle. The game looks great and gameplay looks fluid and fun, but was dropped by the parent company for w/e reason.
Thankfully the community came to the rescue and has fixed the game up, added tons of maps, and even added a new civilization; the SEAS (once only a npc civilization for the campaign).
The game can be bought on ebay or amazon for roughly 30$, but all the community downloads are free.
community website --- http://para-welt.com
Paraworld trailer ---
Paraworld gameplay ---
5) Rise of Legends --- this is the last game on the list. Rise of Legends is the sequel to the well received Rise of Nations, and takes place in a fantasy world of magic and steampunk. The community has rallied behind this game, added new sub-civilizations and maps and just making this game a better game over-all.
Rise of Legends can be bought on either amazon or ebay for just under 15$.
community website --- http://rol.heavengames.com
Rise of Legends gameplay ---
I encourage anybody who used to play these games and wants to come back, or those who are simply curious for the first time to try them. These are some of the gems of the genre!