# Elemental : Fallen Enchantress **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 31, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310 "2012-01-31T15:26:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/1 "2012-01-31T15:26:22Z")
So, Elemental : War of Magic (War /for/ Magic? Not sure.) came out a while back, as a spiritual successor to Master of Magic, one of my favorite games of all time. And it… kinda sucked. I played with it for a while, but felt like I was just groping around in the dark, unable to hope for a victory. The game was a bomb, and in a rare move, the head of Stardock Games admitted they screwed up. They announced they’d remake the game - and if you bought the first one before a certain date, you’d get the new one for free - and if you bought the old one after that date, you could get a nice discount on the new one. The new one, Fallen Enchantress, is in Beta, version 0.77 - and while there are a couple of UI glitches and at least one crash bug I can reliably reproduce, it’s good. Very good. I lost six hours this past Sunday to it - just kind of blanked out the time between lunch and supper. Anyone else playing it? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/2 "2012-02-01T14:28:21Z")
Really? Nobody at all? I’m surprised. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/3 "2012-02-01T15:32:18Z")
Is the beta open? And thanks for posting this thread. I was really, really excited about Elemental but the negative reviews killed it for me and I never bought it. If Fallen Enchantress is ready for prime time, I’ll probably pick it up. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/4 "2012-02-01T15:40:18Z")
War of Magic was a debacle, but there was enough there for me to believe that there was a good game hiding underneath the surface. Has another game developer ever taken a mulligan like Stardock has? ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/5 "2012-02-01T16:13:47Z")
They better do it fast. Another game called _Warlock - Master of the Arcane_ is coming out soon and it is like a fantasy Civ V ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/6 "2012-02-01T16:48:37Z")
> [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](#): > > They better do it fast. Another game called _Warlock - Master of the Arcane_ is coming out soon and it is like a fantasy Civ V From a Rock-Paper-Shotgun preview: > [@](#): > > Combat is very different to Master of Magic and that change stems from the lack of unit stacking. > > Instead of moving to a tactical grid when entering a fight, all fisticuffs, swordicuffs and clawicuffs take place on the strategic map, Civ-style. Ranged units can actually fire across a hex to hit a distant enemy, which somewhat reduces the sense of scale but could be beneficial design-wise. It’s too early to tell as I’ve not been faced by large hordes of enemies yet and therefore haven’t been required to do anything cleverer than outnumber the few. That’s a definite red flag. ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/7 "2012-02-01T17:48:12Z")
Thanks for pointing this out. I’m eligible for a free copy, which I guess gives me beta access, which I’m downloading now. The time between now and when I report back will be directly proportional to how much I like it… ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/8 "2012-02-01T18:46:12Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > That’s a definite red flag. Yeah, no kidding. I love Elemental’s implementation of the Master of Magic-style tactical combat. I mean, I’d probably play a demo of that other game before judging it, but I like unit stacking. @FinnAgain : I don’t know. I was emailed a link to where I could download the beta, in my Stardock account. Looks like it’s not wide-open : > **[Elemental: Fallen Enchantress has entered its public beta phase](https://www.dsogaming.com/news/elemental-fallen-enchantress-has-entered-its-public-beta-phase/)** > > Stardock has announced their upcoming strategy game, Elemental: Fallen Enchantress, has entered its public beta phase. Elemental: Fallen Enchantress is the next chapter in its Elemental fantasy strategy game world. and includes an all-new battle... ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/9 "2012-02-01T19:02:17Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Yeah, no kidding. I love Elemental’s implementation of the Master of Magic-style tactical combat. I mean, I’d probably play a demo of that other game before judging it, but I like unit stacking. Not to mention that the Civ V AI doesn’t know how to play the game very well under its terrain and stacking rules. Does anyone expect Paradox and Ino-Co Plus to do any better? Maybe a year after release, if they’re lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/10 "2012-02-02T00:19:41Z")
Nevermind, I thought I was eligible to test the beta, but I guess not. I logged into Stardock, and it confirmed I was eligible for a free copy of the new game. It also let me download and install the beta version of the new game. But then you have to register the game by entering a serial number. And the serial number for my copy of Elemental War of Magic didn’t work. Anyhow, I’m looking forward to Fallen Enchantress or reading more from those who test it. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/11 "2012-02-02T03:08:22Z")
Well, that’s the thing about Stardock - they’ll get it right eventually. They’re kinda like the Microsoft of games. It’s not the flashiest or the fastest, but five years from now you’ll still have Europa Universalis installed. ---
**Author:** ![Xandroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/91b2a8/32.png) [@Xandroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xandroid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/12 "2012-02-02T08:39:50Z")
You’re thinking about Paradox. As for Stardock–they should just stick to Galactic Civilizations. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/13 "2012-02-02T14:11:26Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > @FinnAgain : I don’t know. I was emailed a link to where I could download the beta, in my Stardock account. Looks like it’s not wide-open : > > [http://www.dsogaming.com/news/elemental-fallen-enchantress-has-entered-its-public-beta-phase/](http://www.dsogaming.com/news/elemental-fallen-enchantress-has-entered-its-public-beta-phase/) Thanks. I’ll keep my eyes on this thread if folks can update it with their experiences when E:FC goes hot. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/14 "2012-02-02T14:11:55Z")
> [@Carnacki](#): > > Nevermind, I thought I was eligible to test the beta, but I guess not. I logged into Stardock, and it confirmed I was eligible for a free copy of the new game. It also let me download and install the beta version of the new game. But then you have to register the game by entering a serial number. And the serial number for my copy of Elemental War of Magic didn’t work. Anyhow, I’m looking forward to Fallen Enchantress or reading more from those who test it. The page where I had download links to the Beta had my serial code, which was a code specific to Fallen Enchantress. I missed seeing it the first time, honestly. Double-check? ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/15 "2012-02-02T18:42:49Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > The page where I had download links to the Beta had my serial code, which was a code specific to Fallen Enchantress. I missed seeing it the first time, honestly. Double-check? Ah-ha, you’re right! Thanks, now just counting the hours until I get home. 🙂 Can you tell I’ve been jonesing for a turn-based strategy game lately…? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/16 "2012-02-02T18:44:42Z")
> [@Carnacki](#): > > Ah-ha, you’re right! Thanks, now just counting the hours until I get home. 🙂 Can you tell I’ve been jonesing for a turn-based strategy game lately…? Heheh. It’s a favorite genre of mine as well. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/17 "2012-02-07T15:56:51Z")
Damn. I ran into a bug with the current build - corrupted save files, crashing on load. I lost my main save and both autosaves of a 600 turn game. Augh! I think I’m going to take a breather until 0.78 comes out in a week or two. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/18 "2012-02-07T16:11:14Z")
So how is it? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/19 "2012-02-07T16:30:47Z")
I’d say that the fact that he was 600 turns into the game bodes pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310/20 "2012-02-07T18:10:23Z")
I suppose I haven’t really gone into detail at any point, have I? I really like it. I think when they iron the bugs out, this will be a fantastic game right up there with the best 4X turn-based strategy games. You have a lot of resources to manage in the game - at the most basic, there’s gold. Then there’s also metal, required for advanced weapons. And crystal, which I actually hadn’t used for anything yet, but I think it’s used for magical weapons. There are horses, used for mounted units. And wargs, used for superior mounted units. And mana, generated by mana shards. All units have levels, and customizable equipment and unit sizes. My initial ‘lancers’ might be three spearmen, but then I can redesign the units so that future ones I build are groups of five mounted spearmen. You can even customize their clothing, hair, et cetera. I particularly like the quest system - some of them are simple battles, others are ‘go here, go here, come back’ with battles interspersed, but a couple of the chains have some nice variation - you find an assassin’s blade that promises you great power if you finish its work, and the first two people you’re supposed to kill seem to deserve it, but the last is a nice guy. I was given the option to refuse to kill him, and then the sword shattered, revealing the demon within that I had to battle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elemental-fallen-enchantress/611310.md?page=2)