What is this Strategy + RPG game from ~20 years ago?

[Galacduck]

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can help me to identify a PC game I came across long ago - probably around the 2000s.

It was set in a fantasy setting and blended strategy with RPG.

The base of the game was a strategy game (managing your kingdom, building armies to defend/invade neighbouring territories), but also had RPG elements where you as the ruler could explore dungeons that you encountered (I think it became a first person hack and slash at this point, but my memory is so vague I no longer remember).

Its kind of the mirror of what you sometimes see in RPG games where the base game is an RPG, but your character comes to control a city and upgrading the city becomes like a mini-game.

Alternatively, if you know of any modern day equivalents (where there is a good blend of strategy and RPG in one game) I'd be interested!

Thanks

[Mod edit: changed title for clarity from "What is this game?".]
Moved from Strategy forum

 

[AshlynnMurray]

Replying for the updates.

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can help me to identify a PC game I came across long ago - probably around the 2000s.

It was set in a fantasy setting and blended strategy with RPG.

The base of the game was a strategy game (managing your kingdom, building armies to defend/invade neighbouring territories), but also had RPG elements where you as the ruler could explore dungeons that you encountered (I think it became a first person hack and slash at this point, but my memory is so vague I no longer remember).

Its kind of the mirror of what you sometimes see in RPG games where the base game is an RPG, but your character comes to control a city and upgrading the city becomes like a mini-game.

Alternatively, if you know of any modern day equivalents (where there is a good blend of strategy and RPG in one game) I'd be interested!

Thanks

[Mod edit: changed title for clarity from "What is this game?".]
Moved from Strategy forum


I think you are talking about Heroes of Might and Magic IV because in this game you manage a kingdom, build armies, and engage in tactical battles. Additionally, there are RPG-style quests and exploration elements where you control heroes who can explore dungeons, complete quests, and engage in combat. By the way, if you want to play online real money games, then you can visit https://casinosanalyzer.ca/free-spins-no-deposit/new here where you will find a lot of sites through which you can make a lot of money. I am also using that website link and it is safe to use.

Edit: I think you are talking about Heroes of Might and Magic IV because in this game you manage a kingdom, build armies, and engage in tactical battles. Additionally, there are RPG-style quests and exploration elements where you control heroes who can explore dungeons, complete quests, and engage in combat.

 

[OsaX Nymloth]

Assuming by Strategy you mean RTS and not turn based, as this is a pretty big difference and you'd probably mention it.

Spellforce comes to mind as the first thing, but I think this would be the most obvious one.
Knight Shift (also known as Polanie II) was mixing RTS with RPG elements, altho it's rather unknown outside of Poland.
Heroes of Annihilated Empires? Never played it, but from the looks of it, it's quite close to the description?
Warlords Battlecry maybe? Only played demos, not sure about the dungeon raiding part.

Other titles that come to mind, but don't exactly fit the bill: Battle Realms, Majesty, Invictus: In the Shadow of Olympus, Tzar, Rage of Mages II, Magic and Mayhem

 

[Zloth]

Sounds like a Stardock "Elemental" game, but those started in 2010.

 

[Galacduck]

OsaX - I'm pretty sure the strategy part of the game was turn based instead of RTS (and the adventures you went on would have occurred within the 'turn' I think).

Other details that I can recall:
On the strategy part of the game, you could get/encounter skeleton units/armies, which tended to be very OP.

I had a look at all the games you've recommended - all of them look more polished than what I can remember, so I'm going to revise my guess and estimate that the game would have been released around the mid 90s?

P.S. 1: Thanks for all your suggestions so far! It may not be what I was looking for, but there are some interesting games you've listed!
P.S. 2: I played Warlords Battlecry 2 and 3. WB2 in particular has charm if you happen to be looking for a retro game to try out!

 

[OsaX Nymloth]

Ok, if that was turn based then I may have few other ideas

Let's see... Clash - another Polish game that was supposed to rival Heroes of Might & Magic (yup, you can guess how well that went), but there wasn't any dungeon raiding. At least if my memory serves me.

Etherlords? Doubtful, but hey, it was turn based, had a fantasy setting and it was a fun take on Heroes formula mixed with Magic: The Gathering.

Disciples? Another classic. I still lament the 3rd one, I wanted to love it, damn it!

King's Bounty? Erador? Age of Wonders? Warlords, but without the Battlecry (it's kinda funny how we had both games, one turn based and one RTS)?
Maybe it was a jRPG or something from Japan, I wouldn't know much about those I'm afraid.

If nothing from these, then I am out. Guess it's time for me to dig up those old gaming magazines and browse them randomly