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SpellForce III Reforced (PS4) Review
Developer: Grimlore Games
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Genre: Real-Time Strategy / Action RPG / Strategy
Release: 2022
SpellForce III Reforced is an ambitious hybrid that combines the character progression and storytelling of a traditional RPG with the base building, resource management and large-scale battles of a real-time strategy game. Originally designed for PC, the Reforced edition was substantially reworked for consoles, including redesigned controls, interface improvements, revised quests, balancing changes and improved campaign systems.
The result is an unusually deep strategy game on PS4. It takes some time to learn, and the controller interface can never quite match the precision of a mouse and keyboard, but once its systems come together, SpellForce III Reforced offers a surprisingly rewarding combination of RPG adventure and RTS warfare.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The defining feature of SpellForce III Reforced is the way it combines two genres.
At one moment you might be controlling a small group of heroes, exploring the world, completing quests and collecting equipment. The next, you're establishing a base, gathering resources, producing soldiers and commanding a large army.
The RPG side features customizable heroes, skill trees, equipment, abilities and companions. Heroes become increasingly powerful throughout the campaign and can be specialized toward different roles.
The RTS side revolves around controlling territory, establishing bases, gathering resources and building an army. Humans, Orcs and Elves have different units and approaches, encouraging players to adapt their strategy depending on the faction.
The combination works surprisingly well.
Strengths
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Excellent RPG/RTS hybrid gameplay.
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Deep character customization.
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Meaningful skill trees.
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Large-scale battles are satisfying.
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Resource management adds strategic depth.
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Different factions play differently.
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Heroes provide a strong connection between the two genres.
Weaknesses
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Considerable learning curve.
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Controller controls take time to master.
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Managing large armies can become cumbersome.
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Interface can become crowded during major battles.
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Some RTS mechanics are less precise than on PC.
Exploration & World Design
The world of Eo is large and varied, offering forests, settlements, ruins, battlefields and other fantasy environments to explore.
Exploration is generally handled from a top-down perspective, allowing players to move their heroes around the map while searching for quests, enemies, resources and hidden treasures.
The maps are designed around more than simply moving from one objective to another. Players can discover optional encounters and resources that can influence how successfully they progress through a region.
Territory also becomes an important consideration during RTS sections. Expanding into new areas provides access to additional resources while potentially bringing the player into conflict with enemy forces.
The world isn't quite as visually spectacular as some dedicated modern RPGs, but the combination of exploration and strategic territory control gives it a strong sense of purpose.
Story & Themes
The story takes place in the year 518, before the events of SpellForce: The Order of Dawn.
The Mage Wars have ended, but their consequences have left large parts of the world in chaos. Refugees are displaced, political tensions are high and a deadly plague known as the Bloodburn is spreading.
The Purity of Light movement blames magic for the world's problems and promises salvation through the return of Aonir.
The story gradually expands from a relatively straightforward fantasy conflict into a much larger political and personal narrative.
The campaign benefits from a large cast of companions, and party members aren't simply interchangeable combat units. Their personalities, abilities and relationships contribute to the broader adventure.
The writing isn't always exceptional, but the campaign provides enough intrigue to keep the player moving forward.
Mission Design & Progression
The campaign is one of the game's strongest features.
Missions regularly alternate between RPG-style exploration and large RTS battles. This helps prevent either side of the gameplay formula from becoming overwhelming.
Some missions focus primarily on heroes and companions, while others require the player to establish an economy and produce a large army.
This variety gives the campaign a good rhythm.
Progression is also satisfying. Heroes gain experience, acquire new equipment and unlock abilities, while the player's army becomes increasingly sophisticated.
The Reforced edition made significant improvements to quests, loot distribution, skill trees and campaign flow, resulting in a smoother experience than the original version.
That said, the complexity can occasionally make objectives unclear, particularly when several systems are active simultaneously.
Final Verdict
SpellForce III Reforced is an impressive attempt to combine two genres that don't always work naturally together. The RPG elements provide character progression, exploration and storytelling, while the RTS mechanics add resource management, base building and large-scale warfare. The result is much deeper than a conventional fantasy RPG and more character-driven than a typical strategy game.
The PS4 version deserves particular credit for adapting such a complicated PC-style strategy experience to a controller. It isn't perfect, and managing large armies can sometimes be frustrating, but the redesigned interface makes the game considerably more accessible than it might initially appear.
Its campaign, character customization, faction mechanics and wealth of additional modes provide excellent value. Players willing to invest time in learning its systems will find one of the more distinctive strategy/RPG experiences available on PS4.
Score: 8.5/10
