For all intents Elven Legacy is a fantastic example of how do the easy thing right and develop a cracking game. Without doubt this wonderful game has been crafted to perfection. It uses the perfect formula for turn-based strategy games.
It is built on the premise of a hex based combat engine, in the vein of past classics such as the Panzer General series. This takes a tried and tested format, sprinkles some fantasy dust over the visuals and weaves its magic spell over lovers of hex-turned based strategy games.
Possessing some devilishly designed scenarios and a stonkingly good AI, players will start off learning the basics of the game and learn the games intricacies through a perfectly balanced learning curve. It will lead to progressively difficult scenarios, and even one or two tough nuts to crack - even for this strategy gaming vet. And thats just on normal setting. The Hard setting should be renamed nightmare or hell.
The unit types are varied in the composition, fulfill your basic roles of land based melee fighters, archers, war machines and the like, with a few air units on top of those. The heroes are all individualistic enough to almost develop their own personalities in game. This is augmented by a terrific skill system that allows players to customise each one to their own preferences.
Maps are distinct enough and provide mission objectives with limited variety, though it is the time limits that really provide the urgency to complete missions quickly.
Strategy comes in many roles, including: unit management and selection, unit maintainence through leveling and magical item assignment. Tactics come in the form on which unit to use when, which objectives to achieve first and which to ignore due to time restraints and such. While map terrain provides players with decision making responsibility of where to place units in the attack. The perk system and array of magical items add another layer of customisation that will keep players tinkering for the ultimate of set-ups. Added these is to the concept of defensive support fire when the AI has its turn. All of these weave together to form an impressive web strategic options and decisions to be taken, when determining what strategy you want to employ.
I would also say the AI acts with dependable solidity, making few mistakes and punishing the player's for theirs. Nothing broken here. It is this together with the scripted scenarios and computer controlled opponents, plus the time limits to achieve a coverted Gold Victory that make the game what it is.
The game is a fun challenge for most of the time, and on a occasion a head-banging experience against an unforgiving opponent. Still, once you do find the perfect strategy to beat the game on Hard and gain a Gold victory, you get that feeling of satisfying relief.
The only minor draw-back is that some of the games written narrative needs to be quality controlled, but it is only on a few sentences.
It is quite short, but you'll get at least two or three replays of each scenario before you are happy to proceed to the next one, especially if you aim to play the perfect game. Add to that the amazing expansion that are available (also in the soon to be released repackaged EL Collection) this is a superior example of Hex-based Tactical/Strategy game in a fantasy setting.
Well made and well executed. If you loved Fantasy General, Fantasy Wars, Panzer General or those type of games, you should get this. Those of you that don't if you are unhappy at the quality of some unfinished games - get this, this really is a polished product.