The game has many good points: a very nice tutorial, the availability of inventory (so you can, for example, save that spell scroll found on a dead enemy for later use), plenty of magical items to find and spells to cast, and many different types of units. I also like the option of choosing where my next battle would be - in contrast to most other real-time strategy games, you can usually choose from 5 choices or more in Hesperian Wars, thereby greatly increasing the replay value. Unfortunately for all these promising features, Hesperian Wars is bogged down by too similar units, too similar missions, a not-so-bright AI, and the lack of personality (Battle Realms heroes come to mind) that would maintain your interest. The game overall feels too rushed - not enough play-testing time on play balance or plot development. Indeed, the history section on developers' website admits that "...owing to low budget and short development time (8 months), the final game [of Hesperian Wars] did not achieve great success nor players' popularity." Too bad for yet another missed opportunity for something that starts out promising. Worth a look, but by no means a keeper.