Warhammer: Mark of Chaos

The orcs and the elves have appeared so many times in computer games that launching another game which to have them as protagonists can leave the impression of repeat. Fortunately, Mark of Chaos has enough new characteristics that will banish this suspicion. This strategy game is based on Warhammer Fantasy Battles and it is an impressive creation, although it is the first chapter of a war adventure in the world of fantasy.



Having some splendid real time battles, it is very normal to compare this production with the Total War games, which contain similar epic fights, but using the events and being very inspired by the history, instead of fantasy characters. Like in Total War, these battles are related to each other into a strategically campaign on shifts, offering at least the same as much depth tactics. The single player mode is divided in two campaigns: in the first you can control the human and elves empires, and in the second - the chaos faction built on the power of the orcs and their allies.

Both campaigns are linear, meaning that you move the army on a preset path in order to carry battles after battles. Over time, you have to help a besieged city, to destroy an enemy camp and to go into a one on one battle with the adverse hero. Sometimes the adventure can spread into some optional objectives in order to diversify the action, but generally you will have to follow the traced path on the map. Even so, a cinematic creation made after this game will have a huge success.



Although you do not have too much to choose in terms of the destination of your own army, you are provided with enough options related to its structure. You can recruit different types of units from cities and the settlements through which you pass, and them you can give them weapons, armors and better siege equipment and you can buy flags and musicians in order to keep the morale level high.

From the temples you meet you obtain blessings which grant different bonuses to your troupes. In the moment you reach the battle field, you have the possibility to choose the troops to participate to the battle, because commonly you will have more troupes than unit slots. This means you will have to choose which type of war you will carry: you will go on axes, bows and muskets or you life violent physical contact and you will choose to enter the battle with swords and spears. Besides all that, your troops will obtain bonuses as they accumulate experience in battles, which means that in order to have a strong army, you will have to be careful not to suffer useless losses. After each fight, you can refresh your rows by buying units from the camp, but fortunately you will obtain enough gold after the battle to strengthen your army and to buy improvements of the equipment.



Besides the component units of your army, you will have to control the heroes which are very powerful soldiers who are leading your forces towards victory and which are engaging in duels with enemy commanders. The gathered experience in fights can be invested in the ability to command, in duel skills and physical characteristics, in order to give him strength in battles and to offer bonuses to the troupes who are fighting under their flag. The heroes can be equipped with armors and weapon which remain after a battle, like swords with magical powers, mystical armors or protection rings.