Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat

Shadow of the Honed Rat is an exceptionally enjoyable game. Released in 1995, the graphics are certainly a product of its time and the mechanics take time to adjust to, but it is arguably the most accurate tabletop to PC translation of Warhammer even to this day. Starting off with your commander and two regiments, your mercenary group, the Grudgebringers, expands from level to level, all the while trying to ensure your deployment and tactics allow your army to prevail. There is also multiple routes you can take gather unique units to add to your army as well as new levels you wouldn't see in others. There is a lot of chance involved, also like the actual Warhammer game, as sometimes a basic Skaven unit can batter your elite infantry! It is also very, very difficult. You can expect to replay some of the later levels many times and a single mistake or deployment error can sometimes see your entire army routed. As well, about the fifth level, the game sees a dramatic increase in difficulty which only tapers off towards the very end, so be wary. However, I enjoyed learning and understanding the mechanics, getting used to the controls and taking in the very old atmosphere of both classic Warhammer and a very old game. As well as that, although difficult, there is a certain appeal trying to overcome a strategic or tactical issue, with which you will face plenty. It must be noted however to take caution how you manage your troops. If you take too much damage in a level, don't be afraid to restart and remember to save often! In summary: PROS: - A very faithful adaption of Warhammer Fantasy - Interesting and engaging game mechanics - Multiple routes for different levels - Charming and old atmosphere - Very difficult* CONS: - Graphics might seem dated to some - May take time to adjust to controls and mechanics - Very difficult* - Difficulty may be frustrating for some A solid 5/5. I got plenty of enjoyment and its a wonderful Warhammer game.

One of the first serious PC games I remember playing, and easily one of the hardest games I have EVER had the pleasure of beating. Regular saves pre-battle / pre-move / pre-decision are an absolute must as the game will remorselessly leave you crippled after a bad battle result. Lost a main hero? Too bad - they're gone for good. Got your Bright wizard to a fantastically high level but he's been instantly flattened by a cannonball? Too bad. Gone. Several branches in the fairly simple but epic storyline and most of them completely depend on player choices. Stay to help the dwarves defend their city from Skaven? You could lose a lot of troops but victory will gain money and a dwarf unit ready to join the ranks. Move on and leave them to it and you may well just get ambushed by the same army and face a much harder fight. Literally every good choice or strategic blunder in battle could influence your chance of having ANY hope of victory in the final battle. I think I got to the end 4 times out of 9 playthroughs and only won once, it was to difficult. Prepare for the most RSI in your index finger ever as you frantically whack the boost morale button during each combat. Tiring, tense, and highly re-playable.

Apparently they did something to fix the bug with being stuck at "Preparing for battle". I gave up on getting the game to work a couple of years ago and was majorly disappointed. Lo and behold, it works just fine now! I read a couple of recent reviews saying it worked just fine now, so I tried installing again and had zero trouble getting it to run. Can't say how thrilled I am to be playing this game once again!

The game is a great, simple strategy game. You can find some complexity but combat is easy not compared to the strategy games now, it is easy and fun to play not a high bar. So no high expectations just a good simple early strategy game in the Warhammer world, the animations are simple but great, the controls are not as good but easy to get used to. The only downside is the monitor window is small the controls big but that was probably because of the video power back in 1995.

While this game is good with the lore and animations, its age definatly shows in its graphics and the control scheme. I found it very clunky to use and with no tutorial it is very much the 90s sink or swim kid philosophy.