Fancy graphics and high production values do not a good game make, but they might have improved a humble little entry like Empire of Magic. Understand, I’m not asking for Dungeon Siege quality — but the low-resolution isometric graphics of this turn-based strategy game will appeal only to old-schoolers.

Thankfully, the game wields enough classic strategy and roleplaying elements to make up for its lack of visual flair. Empire of Magic casts you as the mage Artemian, a simple wizard journeying through the lands of Ibrashim to investigate the mysterious disappearances of troops and villagers. Spicing up the journey are plenty of side-alley subplots and missions, each introducing hints about the larger story and even offering characters to join your party.

Each of the (up to) three characters in your group can be upgraded in a variety of attributes. You can invest in new skills and spells for them — though I found that agonizing over these decisions eventually became moot, as I would simply swap to the more powerful characters offered later in the adventure. Indeed, it seemed to save me a whole lot of hassle with upkeep on developing characters. (Some might say this option makes it a bit pointless to upgrade your characters, and they’ve hit on a kernel of truth there, but you’ll still find these upgrades necessary because without the help of juiced-up party members, you’ll run into fatal trouble before you can add the more powerful Superfriends.)

Combat is structured in the same turn-based scheme as the rest of the game’s exploration. Your units take turns attacking, defending, and casting spells, with each turn costing action points. The enemy AI is surprisingly steady, if not dominating, but I often found it easier to turn on the auto-battle option when facing weaker minions and skeletons. You have over 100 spells in your arsenal, although most are derivatives of a core batch — just upgraded versions of healing spells or fireballs, for example.

Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter little towns and cities where you can replenish supplies. These encampments offer valuable upgrades and spells, and are also where most of the side-quests are assigned. The overall atmosphere of the game world is typical of the fantasy genre, featuring an endless landscape of smithies and knight armories, but you can expect only the most cursory NPC interactions. This is a strategy game, after all.

And because Empire is turn-based, most of the gameplay is actually spent clicking on the map to travel across the land. I would’ve hoped to discover a way to turn off or speed up this monotonous element, but no such luck.

If you can bear the slow movement system and old-school graphics, or are just dying for an earlier generation of strategy games, Empire of Magic fits the bill. Otherwise, look elsewhere to scratch that itch for the mystic.
— Norman Chan