Eador. Genesis

[MrFlibble]

This December Eador. Genesis (http://www.eador.com/eador1/), a remarkable Russian* indie fantasy turn-based strategy/role-playing game, had been finally translated into English (the game was initially released in 2009) and is available from GOG.com (http://www.gog.com/gamecard/eador_genesis).

Eador is made in a distinct old-school style and adheres to the best in the turn-based strategy and role-playing game traditions, improving on the ideas from such classic titles as Warlords, Master of Magic, Dominions, Age of Wonders and Heroes of Might and Magic, as well as Sid Meier's Civilization and Master of Orion. Despite its immediately familiar visuals, the game is neither a straightforward clone nor a simple mixture of any of those, but an independent, unique game, envisioned and designed by its author and project leader, Alexey Bokulev.

What makes Eador stand out is the complexity of the game world: it is meticulously thought out to the tiniest detail, and everything is important. The depth of the world isn't just for show, as it gives players a great degree of freedom in their actions, producing near-infinite variety of playing situations and possible solutions. Players are encouraged to develop their own style and ways of playing as they build up their armies, run the economy and manage politics, make alliances and acquire new technologies. There is absolutely no railroading on the part of the game whatsoever. Want to maintain a powerful army comprising entirely of ranged units? You can do that. Want to become a powerful necromancer? Sure thing. You wish to become a goody-good lawful leader who is allied with Elves or Dryads? That is also possible.

In Eador, it's easy to grasp the basics but you'll spend quite some time learning the intricacies of the game, some of which are not immediately obvious. Thankfully the game has a very friendly and extensive tutorial that allows to learn playing essentials without having to suffer from naturally occurring beginner's mistakes.

Combat is quite an important aspect in Eador but it's not the only thing that matters. You'll also need to manage your provinces, expand your influence by means of diplomacy or good reputation, and deal with a huge variety of unique events that occur in your kingdom from time to time. Every decision matters as it affects the player's reputation and moral alignment.

The mainstay of gameplay are heroes, who can be guided to become whatever a player desires. There are four basic classes (Warrior, Ranger, Commander and Mage), each with lots of unique skills and abilities, and the ability to multi-class once they had levelled up enough times, opening numerous paths of development. Each class serves its own purpose - thus a Ranger, for example, excels at diplomacy and province exploration, while a Commander can field the most number of units in his party at any time. Regular units also level up and can gain additional abilities as they grow in skill. Not all units and technologies are available from the start, as there is no fixed tech tree; some units can only be acquired by making alliances or visiting special locations.

Eador has too many features to be listed in their entirety without the list becoming an expansive strategy guide for the game. Much fun is in discovering them on your own. There's a Russian language demo available from the official site (http://files.games.1c.ru/eador/demo/eador_demo_setup.exe) (I don't know if there is an English demo). There is also a screenshot gallery (http://www.eador.com/eador1/gallery.html).

* Alexey Bokulev lives in Ukraine but the original release of the game is in Russian and Russian is his native language.

[Smiling Spectre]

Great review!

You only forgot to mention over-increasing complexity and possibilities due permanent technology discoveries for each new maps. And "semi-hard" limit to 4 heroes - one per class.

Otherwise - thumbs up! :)

[MrFlibble]

Heh, I was afraid to put too much info lest people just go "Hey, wall of text! tl;dr" ^_^ Initially I just wanted to write one, maybe two passages simply to inform that such a game exists and is available :)

I'm pretty certain that during a longplay you can stack enough gold to afford a second hero of the same class, only it's hardly worth it, unless just out of curiosity :)

Then again, a limit on heroes is a noteworthy thing only if you compare the game to HoMM, which is not absolutely necessary.

[Smiling Spectre]

Heh, I was afraid to put too much info lest people just go "Hey, wall of text! tl;dr" ^_^ Initially I just wanted to write one, maybe two passages simply to inform that such a game exists and is available :)
Well, you made nice review instead "info note". ;) Different type, still good.
I'm pretty certain that during a longplay you can stack enough gold to afford a second hero of the same class, only it's hardly worth it, unless just out of curiosity :)
That's why it's _semi_-hard. :)

Third hero available too. On another increase of 10x. No, even me didn't buy it. :D
Then again, a limit on heroes is a noteworthy thing only if you compare the game to HoMM, which is not absolutely necessary.
Disagree. Having 4 different heroes notably differs from "having 4 heroes overall" and "having as much heroes as you like". :) And it's really sounds like last one in your review. :)

[MrFlibble]

Third hero available too. On another increase of 10x. No, even me didn't buy it. :D
Well, I meant a second hero of the same class, not just a second hero. On easiest difficulty, four heroes of all classes are quite workable, and I suppose the same applies, with more skill on the player's part, for higher difficulty levels as well.

[Smiling Spectre]

Well, I meant a second hero of the same class, not just a second hero. On easiest difficulty, four heroes of all classes are quite workable, and I suppose the same applies, with more skill on the player's part, for higher difficulty levels as well.
Err... I see misundertanding here. :)

1st hero of selected class is 500. 2nd - 5 000. 3rd - 50 000. I love long games, but even me hardly can afford 50k in this game. :)

Better? :)

[MrFlibble]

TBH I've only played the demo version so far. The first hero costs 100, the second 500, the third 1500 and the fourth 5000 (I guess, but since I got a structure that makes heroes somewhat cheaper at the point when I could consider buying hero #4, the price was 4500).

I fancy it's either that the costs were tweaked in the latest version (v1.51 IIRC; the demo is v1.4), or the costs are skill-level-dependent. Being a relatively new player I had not yet ventured beyond Beginner difficulty, which is recommended by the in-game tips.

[Smiling Spectre]

Hmm. Well, as I never was good with numbers and played game, like, half-year ago, I can be totally wrong with it. But I still believe it was class-dependant in my version... Let me check it. Maybe I am totally wrong - then I am sorry. :)

---update---
There are two increasers, as I see.

100-500-1500-5000 is here. But "ten-fold" increasers is here at well. :) So after 1st hero (say, Warrior) you can buy second hero for 500... if it's not a warrior, as second warrior have price of 5 000 gold right away. Price increases with each new hero. So when you buy second hero (say, Mage), you still can buy next for 1 500... if it's not a Warrior or Mage, as each of this costs 15 000. This law repeats now and again, and in my last game I have full 7 heroes - but 8th hero, Leader, would cost me 50k (and any hero of other classes - 500k, obviously).

[jonh_sabugs]

Hi, I have been playing this game and have a few questions. Do you know how village garrison works? I can rarely seem to be able to hire guards, however when the enemy hero takes the town he gets automatically 20 level 6 units in each province. Wtf?

[Smiling Spectre]

It depends on your Capital. :) And sometimes you can found "contracts". Check building/contract descriptions, it's usually says, what it does and where it can be set. Most garrisons can be set in any province (if you have buildings in capital province), but sometimes it restricted to Woods, Mountains or something.

[jonh_sabugs]

But what about the AI garrisons? Is there any way to prevent all the free loads of garrisons they get? My games are running into a long series of repetitive battles once I meet the enemy heroes. I can't afford to relax defense, lest they get powerful garrisons instantly. So I have to keep killing the same heroes in the border, as they die and rush back into the same place, until I level enough to move forward and crush the garrisons.

[MrFlibble]

To hold a province, it's wise to build a fortress and place at least a single unit inside (e.g. a peasant militia). That way the enemy hero will have to besiege the fortress before he can finally conquer the province, even if your province guards are too weak to hold the enemy hero in the first place.

That will spare you the endless clash for a province when each side can conquer the province with their heroes but can't hold it with only weak AI guard troops. (I also think that population happiness is negatively affected when a province changes its owner frequently).

[Smiling Spectre]

But what about the AI garrisons? Is there any way to prevent all the free loads of garrisons they get?
1. They are not free. Computer pays for them exactly like you. So, theoretically speaking, you could exhaust them. :)
2. Can you afford strong enough garrisons? It could not stop heroes, but they can weaken their armies enough.
3. What MrFlibble said. Buy Garrison building and put armies strong enough here. :)

[MrFlibble]

2. Can you afford strong enough garrisons? It could not stop heroes, but they can weaken their armies enough.
In one situation I've encountered, a low-level AI hero did not manage against local militia guards. BTW, they definitely get experience from battles or something, as IIRC some of the peasants got upgraded to spearmen.

But usually the AI heroes will avoid attacking a province that is guarded by forces stronger than them.

[jonh_sabugs]

I think I don't have technology to build garrison yet. The outpost trick works but it's ugly :( .

The whole garrison system drags the game too much, I believe. Fighting the same battles again and again against 15 units which takes forever to move is getting boring.

[Smiling Spectre]

It seems, you are doing something wrong. First, "peasant" garrison available right from the start, in first after-tutorial mission. (You still need to build it, of course). Also, you would pick a lot of contracts from lairs and dungeons, if you are working with it. Theoretically speaking, if one border province give you problems - put hero here and start to search for troubles/treasures. :) So you will get money, fame, items, experience, and guard province simultaneously! :)

Also, I believe, there is some "disable animation" option hidden somewhere. :)
---addition---
Checked. It's during battle. You can select speed, "quick" and "auto" battles, if you find it too slow. :)

[jonh_sabugs]

Auto/quick has the AI fighting for you, and it screws up too much. Also, I definitely don't have peasant garrison early on, are you sure it's not random? I acquired the forest garrison recently, which allows me to garrison forest provinces at least. But that's not the issue, it's the auto-garrison the AI uses that drags the game.

Staying in a border province does not help either. Besides having your hero stuck there, the AI will simple circle you through another province in its path to the capital.

I managed to beat a few shards so far, but I believe the game would be more enjoyable if garrisons built up slowly or something.

[MrFlibble]

I think I don't have technology to build garrison yet. The outpost trick works but it's ugly :(
What exactly don't you like about outposts? Without them, holding a province is much more trouble. Sure you'll need some resources but with a stable economy they are quite affordable. You can always deconstruct a fortress if it is no longer needed (i.e. the province is no longer in the path of an advancing enemy) and build some other structure in that province instead.

To hire peasant militia as province guards, you need to build a militia recruitment centre in your home castle. Other types of guards are available later on, and you might need to acquire some building designs on a shard (I think that the evil path early guards are thieves but I'm not 100% sure about that).

[jonh_sabugs]

Hmm, yes, that's how I acquired the forest garrison.

The outpost trick is ugly because it's actually an exploit, i.e. the AI will get stuck there besieging for several turns when it could go around/do something smarter. But I guess the cheap garrisons is also a way to simplify the AI and make it pose a challenge.

[Smiling Spectre]

Auto/quick has the AI fighting for you, and it screws up too much.
Well, then simply speed up movement. :)

Also, do you realized that it's only animation that lasts? Actually, you can move just after you order your previous unit to act - no need to wait while it finish it. Not work for computer though. :(

Also, I definitely don't have peasant garrison early on, are you sure it's not random?

All available buildings are "shadowed" in your capital, so you can click and see what it does and what requirements for it. Check it, peasant garrison is in left from unit slots in my second (i.e. first non-tutorial) game. Later it can be upgraded, if you'll found right schematics... Oh, wait. Yes, I can be wrong here. It _can_ be "initial" schematic for my shard, not given automatically. Sorry...

But then you must have something else. Like thieves guild, "real" garrison or something. :) If you beaten 2-3 shards, you definitely must have it! :)

Staying in a border province does not help either. Besides having your hero stuck there, the AI will simple circle you through another province in its path to the capital.

Well, as I said, garrisons is the answer. :) He can beat one, two, three, but eventually he will arrive into your castle (if it will made it at all) totally exhausted. :)

Also, you must explore provinces, if you want to have really good items. Why not have it at border, where outcome is at max? :)
I managed to beat a few shards so far, but I believe the game would be more enjoyable if garrisons built up slowly or something.
What level of difficulty are you setting? In "normal" level computer have exactly the same resources as you, so he simply cannot afford "big" garrisons until it have, like, dozen of provinces or more. And even then he will not be able to reconstruct it fast. Actually, my usual tactics is having strong garrison in important province and allowing computer to exhaust itself on lesser ones while my heros "cleans up" space, building up yourself and their armies. After that I cutting enemy from his territory and strangulate him with my heroes. :) He lose a lot of money for previous big garrisons and hero itself, so after that it's a breeze to take his undefended lands. :)

Also, most of "simple" garrisons can be bought out back, if you have the money and your diplomacy skill strong enough. ;)

[jonh_sabugs]

I am on expert. Yes, I am managing it, it's just that each shard is taking forever.

[jamotide]

This game is the pinnacle of fantasy 4x games! I have probably played over 500 hours since the gog release and it keeps getting better, incredible! And I played them all, from MoM to Homm.
I am now playing on master level, the learning curve in this game is long,but steady. Yet I am still stupefied by what the real masters on the russian forums can accomplish in the contests.

[MrFlibble]

I'm glad you like it, the game is really awesome IMO ^_^

[Smiling Spectre]

Everyone seen remake on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/232050/) already, I suppose? ;)

[MrFlibble]

The 3D graphics look nice but I kind of prefer the oldschool 2D sprites :)

[MrFlibble]

Here's a bunch of reviews of the English version:

Eador – Genesis: How deep is the deep end? (http://syncaine.com/2012/12/11/eador-genesis-how-deep-is-the-deep-end/) (Hardcore Casual, Dec 11, 2012)
First Look: Eador: Genesis (http://dragonchasers.com/2012/12/15/first-look-eador-genesis/) (Dragonchasers, Dec 15, 2012)
Eador: Genesis Impressions (http://www.outofeight.info/2012/12/eador-genesis-impressions.html) (Out of Eight PC Game Reviews, Dec 16, 2012)
Review of Eador: Genesis (http://www.hbhud.com/2013/01/25/review-of-eador-genesis/) (HalfBeard's HUD, Jan 25, 2013)
THOUGHTS: EADOR GENESIS (http://scientificgamer.com/thoughts-eador-genesis/) (The Scientific Gamer, Jan 28, 2013)
Eador: Genesis Review (http://www.cpugamer.com/reviews/eador-genesis-review) (CPUGamer, Jan 29, 2013)
PC Game Review of Eador: Genesis (http://grogheads.com/rev-eador.html) (GrogHeads, Feb 20, 2013)
Eador: Genesis impressions: Master of Might, Magic, and the Just One More Turn Syndrome (http://www.matchstickeyes.com/2013/03/17/eador-genesis-impressions-master-of-might-magic-and-the-just-one-more-turn-syndrome/) (Matchsticks for my Eyes, Mar 17, 2013)
Eador Genesis (http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/eador-genesis/) (The Daily Star, Mar 28, 2013)

[jamotide]

Thanks, very enjoyable reads. Over a year later, after some deliberation, I have decided that Eador is the best game ever. And the fact that one guy made it, and it was sold on freakin release day for 4,79$ casts a huge shadow on basically every other game ever made.