Deal | Steam: Medieval strategy classic with 96% positive reviews costs just $0.71

In Lords of the Realm II, players take on the role of an up-and-coming lord who fights for control of England and Wales after the king’s death. However, the other nobles of the realm also want the throne – and sooner or later, they have to be removed from the picture. So counties are managed, armies are raised and castles are besieged. In the end, though, swords, pikes and bows usually have the final say.

The strategy game from Impressions Games is 76% off on Steam until June 25 and costs $0.71 instead of $2.99. According to SteamDB, discounts of up to 80% are otherwise common. Anyone looking to save a few more cents should therefore get another chance soon.

In terms of gameplay, the 1996 title feels like an early version of the Total War series. On the strategic map, players manage agriculture, diplomacy, taxes and weapons production turn by turn. When a battle or siege begins, the game switches to a real-time tactical mode. There, archers, pikemen, knights and other troops have to be positioned skillfully to capture castles or defend the player’s own territory.

In addition to the main game, the Steam version also includes the Siege Pack, which adds extra castles, maps and scenarios. Players can even design their own castles and then defend them against enemy armies – so there is a bit of Stronghold in the mix, too.

Lords of the Realm II has been impressively well received on Steam: 96% of more than 1,600 user reviews are positive. Nostalgia plays a major role here, as many strategy fans associate the title with their childhood. But the game is not carried by memories alone, as the classic still has several gameplay strengths to offer today. Above all, the successful blend of turn-based strategy and real-time tactics, the engaging gameplay flow and the strong atmosphere are well received by the community. That said, players will need to appreciate the pixelated 2D graphics and mechanics that are relatively simple compared with modern strategy games. Anyone who can live with that gets a charming strategy classic that still works surprisingly well despite its age.

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