Chronicles: Medieval, an upcoming strategy game from developer Raw Power Games, presents an experience that is as dense and meticulously detailed as its historical setting suggests. The game aims to blend elements of RPG, action, and strategy, focusing on historical accuracy during the Hundred Years' War, where players can command armies for Britain, France, or the Holy Roman Empire.
The game's complexity is immediately apparent, particularly in managing troop composition and equipment. Players must consider factors like weapon suitability against armored cavalry or the size of shields for arrow volleys. This level of detail is designed to appeal to players who enjoy deep strategic simulation, even if it proves intimidating to newcomers. The developer has indicated that historical accuracy is a priority, though they also aim to ensure the gameplay remains engaging, citing an example of a mounted commander wielding a polearm.
The preview showcased the game's Exploration map, an overworld view displaying regions and lords, which can be zoomed in to a more granular level. With 209 regions, each featuring settlements and castles, the game world offers extensive exploration opportunities. Dynamic points of interest, such as bandit camps and mercenary recruitment spots, are scattered throughout. Players must also contend with enemy armies on the world map.
The core of the gameplay lies in large-scale, Total War-style battles. These encounters involve commanding hundreds of soldiers, with players able to position troops, issue commands, and even take direct control of a commander on the battlefield. The preview detailed a battle between the Holy Roman Empire and French forces, highlighting the visual detail where individual soldiers and their equipment could be inspected. Troops are categorized into Household, Mercenary, and Levies, each with distinct effectiveness, training requirements, and costs. A key mechanic is "cohesion," which affects how well units function together. For instance, high-cohesion Household troops maintain formation better than the less disciplined Levies, who might even be armed with farming tools.
During the strategy phase, players issue commands from an overhead perspective, directing units like cavalry for flanking maneuvers or infantry into formations such as the "spearwall" to counter mounted units. The game allows for strategic planning, such as spreading troops for wider coverage, which can make them more vulnerable to charges. Real-time commands can be issued once battles commence, with only units not pre-assigned responding to these new orders.
A unique feature demonstrated was the ability to transition to a third-person perspective to control a commander. This allows for direct action combat and can facilitate issuing updated orders to troops from horseback or on foot, providing a more immediate connection to the battlefield.
However, the preview also encountered a game crash, underscoring the game's early access status. As the first project from Raw Power Games, Chronicles: Medieval is noted to be in an unfinished state. The developers acknowledge that the path to version 1.0 will likely involve significant development and refinement. Players who are averse to the challenges of early access might find the game particularly demanding due to its ambitious scope and complexity. If the developers successfully navigate the development process, the game promises a deeply rewarding experience for dedicated strategy fans.