This is a fantasy game that immerses players in a medieval world with elements of mysticism. Here you’ll find knights in armor, cursed windmills, witches, sorcerers, ghouls, and lycanthropes. However, the driving forces of this world are political intrigue, wars, greed, and the struggle for power.

The protagonist (you can choose from a melee fighter, archer, or mage) seeks to avenge their murdered family and reclaim their lost lands. Yet, their journey inevitably leads through feuds, territorial wars, and dirty political schemes.

Whose side will you take? The knightly order drowning in corruption? The clergy, willing to declare anyone heretical to seize their lands? Or the merchants, who fleece everyone but at least don’t hide behind a facade of piety? Staying neutral is not an option. Throughout the game, you’ll strike deals with scoundrels, collaborate with traitors, and make morally ambiguous choices.

The storyline is nonlinear: your decisions affect the quests available, the ending, and even the gossip shared in taverns. Occasionally, you can act nobly, such as paying ransom for a prisoner, but more often, you’ll face a choice between the lesser and greater evil.

The game combines elements of King’s Bounty and Disciples 2 while offering unique features. You explore the map in a turn-based mode, completing quests, recruiting troops, fighting, and capturing castles. Castles generate income from nearby villages and mines.

The combat system is also turn-based: units are arranged in three rows opposite each other, eliminating prolonged positioning for tactical advantage. However, movement without action is impossible—every step requires an attack or maneuver. These restrictions limit tactical depth, which, as a fan of strategic gameplay, I found disappointing. There are some interesting elements, like managing cavalry and pikemen, but they aren’t enough to add real depth to the battles.

Character progression is excellent. The hero gains new skills with each level, while regular units "evolve" along alternative upgrade paths.

For example:

1. Hunters can become archers with high initiative or crossbowmen with powerful damage output.
2. Herbalists evolve into witches who debuff enemies or sorceresses who buff allies.
3 Monks can develop into bishops with supportive spells or warriors wielding maces.
4. Simple militia with cudgels can become pikemen (armored units capable of attacking from a distance), spearmen (stronger but limited to close combat), or guards (versatile but without the preemptive strike ability of the former two).
5. Nobles transform into heavily armored knights, paladins (less powerful but effective against undead), or swordmasters (a glass cannon prone to being targeted first).

All weapons, armor, and accessories—whether looted or purchased—can be equipped by both the hero and their units. Each item not only improves stats but also visibly alters the character’s appearance and animations.

The economy is simple: capture mines, villages, and castles to collect income. Funds are spent on recruiting troops and completing quests. Uniquely, you must manually collect your earnings, adding an element of risk. Mercenaries demand daily pay, making them expendable in tough battles, allowing you to preserve your core forces.

The game features a day-night cycle that affects gameplay. At night, archers become less effective, people retreat to towns, monsters appear, and some quests depend on the time of day. Gossip in taverns becomes a mini-game: interpreting rumors correctly can lead to hidden treasures or secrets.

Unfortunately, the game has issues. The quests are heavily scripted, making it easy to “break” progression and get stuck. Frequent saves are essential, especially if you aim to see all endings. A key choice occurs in the third-to-last mission, influencing how you approach the final stages.

The endings are bittersweet and may not satisfy everyone. In every outcome, something is inevitably lost:
1. You can exact revenge on all your enemies but lose your reputation.
2. You can ally with your oppressor and become a ruler, sacrificing your honor.
3. You can forgive everyone, gaining nothing and ending up with no rewards.

The combat system feels restrictive, optimization is poor, and some quests are prone to breaking. Yet, the setting, deep story, and philosophical undertones make the game compelling. Its flaws won’t appeal to everyone, but those who can appreciate its quirks will find it worthwhile. For me, it’s a solid “middle-tier” game.