So I've played the brand new Warlock: Master of the Arcane beta for about 32 minutes (according to Steam), and I have a short preview of the fantasy, Civ-like turn-based strategy game.

Warlock: Master of the Arcane takes place on a seemingly randomly generated map, and the goal is to take over all of the cities. Cities are where units are recruited and buildings are placed to produce the game's three primary resources: gold (for unit recruitment), food (for unit upkeep), and magic (for spells). Buildings also unlock new units and provide bonuses to resource production (like a tax office providing 50% more gold production, for example). There are also resource sites (like silver or pumpkins) that, if within a cities boundaries, provide more resources than a basic farm; settler units can be recruited and sent out into the world. Although I haven't explored it too much, each game map actually consists of several levels, kind of like a dungeon in a rougelike; you can enter portals and then battle high-level monsters for experience and rewards.

Units are pretty standard stuff: melee and ranged. However, some deal different amounts of damage (death, fire) and units can level up, allowing you to choose one of three upgrades each time (like improved offense or defense).

The game maps are full of monsters that are dangerous if your cities are left undefended, but can be used to farm experience. There are also loot locations scattered around the map. In addition, quests will pop up that will give significant rewards if you build a certain structure or kill a specific unit.

Finally, there are spells. These usually cause damage, heal, or buff units (at least the lower level ones I've seen so far) and cost time (you can only cast spells every so often per turn) and magic points.

I think that's about it. It's kind of like Elemental, without the tactical battles but more streamlined and less "lets throw random stuff together" in its approach. Warlock: Master of the Arcane is scheduled for a Q2 2012 release.

Official Website: http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/warlock

Here are some screens. Keep in mind a lot of the icons are placeholders since the game is about half a year away from release.

Looks a bit safe in design.CIV5 with magic.

Is there any innovation or depth to the 4X play?

^Indeed. It looks like a Fantasy mod for Civ5.

Originally Posted By Tpek

^Indeed. It looks like a Fantasy mod for Civ5.

Sure does.  And this was yet another beta I got turned down for.  Paradox hates me.

Hell.. it looks exactly like Civ.

Originally Posted By Nefaro

it looks exactly like Civ.

Yeah. With spells. And multi-layered maps.

Still early on in development so I can't really tell if it'll be able to separate itself from the pretty obvious inspiration, but we'll see.

"Multi-layered"?  As in cloud level/ground level/underground level/abyssal level?

does it have - 'you havent discovered horses therefore no horse mounted troops for you' functionality?

Originally Posted By John DiFool

"Multi-layered"?  As in cloud level/ground level/underground level/abyssal level?

Ground level where all the cities are, and three levels beneath it full of monsters, presumably to gain XP for your units.

Originally Posted By undercovergeek

does it have - 'you havent discovered horses therefore no horse mounted troops for you' functionality?

There are pre-requisites for units, like trolls need a troll bridge, but no resource requirements.

^I thought Trolls required researching Internet and Forum...

Originally Posted By Tpek

^I thought Trolls required researching Internet and Forum...

Ironically, they also require the construction of a troll bridge.

This has to use the Civ 5 engine. Let's hope it does not use the Civ 5 AI.

Originally Posted By Stauffenberg

This has to use the Civ 5 engine. Let's hope it does not use the Civ 5 AI.

I'm sure it uses the Majesty 2 and Fantasy Wars/Elven Legacy engine, as it's developed by the same people.

It looked like Legends/Elven Legacy right off to me. I have them both and still never played them. Too many games not enough time.

Watch me play!

Included:

- Choosing my custom game options

- Exploring the cloudy fog of war

- Constructing new units

- Placing structures

- Researching spells

- Ignoring quests

- Killing monsters

- Taking out an AI city

- Goblin on Human violence

I can't shake off the impression they wanted to make Civ V in a fantasy setting...

Still I will probably buy this when it's out, can't get enough TBS games.

Looks good!  I'm interested.  Going to the site to check it out.  

Originally Posted By JaguarUSF (3 FEB 2012 5:22pm)

Watch me play!....

Thanks! The game looks good.

Does/will it require Steam to play?

Originally Posted By Greybriar (4 FEB 2012 5:32am)

 

Does/will it require Steam to play?

I would like to know the answer to this question as well, as it looks pretty fun. 

Just noticed that Warlock: Master of the Arcane is available for pre-order on Gamersgate for $19.99. Think I'm going to pick this one up for that price.  There is also a $2 DLC (the first of many I'm sure) available.

...and yes the game will require Steam.

p.s.  Looks like the Powerful Lords DLC is free if you pre-order...

I'm sold on this, at that price.

Do the units level up similar to the way they did in Fantasy Wars/Elven Legacy? I'm hoping the unit stats & such are more similar to those than the Civ series, because they had more individualistic flavor.

I also like the concept of having dungeons you can send troops to explore - any random phatlootz to be had there too?

Originally Posted By Nefaro (22 APR 2012 12:25pm)

Do the units level up similar to the way they did in Fantasy Wars/Elven Legacy?

When a unit levels up, you get to choose from one of three upgrades, which usually are better attack or better defense against certain attack types, or better sight or movement.

The last game I went against my better judgement on and ordered on day one just because it was $20 was PrON.  And we know how that turned out.

I'll probably get it, but I'll wait a day or two to read some impressions, first.

Originally Posted By JaguarUSF (22 APR 2012 2:22pm)

Originally Posted By Nefaro (22 APR 2012 12:25pm)

Do the units level up similar to the way they did in Fantasy Wars/Elven Legacy?

 

When a unit levels up, you get to choose from one of three upgrades, which usually are better attack or better defense against certain attack types, or better sight or movement.

 

 

Ugh.  So it is Civ in that sense, too.

After watching the video, I am 100% sure this uses the Civ5 engine.

Aside from a plethora of strong similarities, the fog of war is exactly the same as Civ5.

It's not so much spot the similarity as spot the difference.