Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Polanie delivers a refreshing twist on the classic real-time strategy formula by replacing traditional gold and ore with milk as the sole resource. Players guide young Slav prince Mirko in building structures, erecting defensive walls, and training units, all paid for through the production of milk from grazing cows. The resource mechanic places a premium on managing pastures and herds, demanding constant attention to keep your economy flowing and your armies supplied.

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The unit roster is deceptively simple: woodcutters double as axemen in combat, while priests and priestesses channel divine powers to call fire from the sky. Sacred healing sites scattered across each map offer a strategic layer of recovery, allowing wounded warriors to return to full strength without draining your milk reserves. Group selection and control are intuitive, letting you organize large contingents of warriors to strike at enemy positions with coordinated precision.

The non-linear campaign spans 25 core missions that challenge you to adapt strategies on diverse terrain—ranging from dense forests to open grasslands. The 1998 CD-ROM re-release enriches this with three new units, five bonus campaigns (27 missions total), and 3D animated cutscenes, further extending replay value. Although the enemies share identical unit types, the varied map objectives and magical elements keep each mission feeling distinct and engaging.

Graphics

Visually, Polanie bears a nostalgic late-’90s pixel-art aesthetic that fans of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans will immediately recognize. The sprites are crisply defined, and the environments—meadows, rivers, and rocky outcrops—are rendered with enough detail to make exploration rewarding. Unit animations are smooth, especially in the CD-ROM edition, which adds a layer of 3D animation during key cutscenes.

The user interface is clean and functional: icons for buildings and units are clearly distinguishable, while the minimap provides a quick overview of your territory and enemy movements. Though it lacks the high-resolution textures of modern RTS titles, Polanie’s art style conveys its medieval Slavic setting effectively, with stylized totems and wooden architecture that evoke a rustic atmosphere.

Music on audio tracks in the CD-ROM release enhances immersion, with folk-inspired melodies underscoring your campaign. Sound effects—clashes of steel, mooing cows, and heavenly fire—are crisp and never overwhelming. While the graphics may show their age by today’s standards, the re-release’s enhancements ensure Polanie remains visually appealing and true to its folkloric roots.

Story

The narrative thrust is simple yet compelling: in the year 699, young Slav prince Mirko returns from a victorious raid only to find his settlement razed and kinsfolk slaughtered. Fueled by vengeance, Mirko rallies his surviving warriors and embarks on a quest to conquer the lands of treacherous neighbors. This revenge-driven premise sets a tense tone and motivates each mission objective, from rescuing villagers to seizing enemy strongholds.

Magic weaves through the storyline as priests invoke celestial fire and sacred springs grant healing, hinting at ancient pagan traditions. Enemies too can harness these arcane powers, forcing you to scout for sacred sites before launching full-scale assaults. This mystical layer adds depth to the otherwise straightforward revenge tale, reminding players that in Polanie, fate is guided by both sword and spirit.

Regional editions introduce intriguing variations: the German “Victory” floppy-disk version replaces Slavic iconography with Germanic backdrops and omits the original intro animation, while the Czech edition follows the updated Polish CD-ROM re-release. These localization changes offer alternate narratives and art assets that may appeal to collectors or players interested in cultural reinterpretations of the core story.

Overall Experience

Polanie stands out as a distinctive RTS that balances resource management, tactical combat, and light RPG elements within an evocative Slavic setting. The milk-based economy challenges veteran strategy players to think differently about resource acquisition and allocation, while the straightforward unit roster ensures newcomers aren’t overwhelmed.

The CD-ROM re-release adds substantial content—new units, bonus missions, 3D cutscenes, and enhanced audio—that modernizes the experience without losing the game’s original charm. Though the graphics are dated compared to contemporary RTS giants, Polanie’s art style and music create an immersive medieval atmosphere that few other games replicate.

For those seeking a bite-sized campaign with non-linear mission design and a vengeance-driven plot, Polanie is a hidden gem worth exploring. Its unique resource mechanic, combined with magical elements and regional edition variations, delivers hours of strategic depth and folklore-infused storytelling. Potential buyers keen on nostalgic RTS gameplay and folkloric aesthetics will find Polanie both engaging and refreshingly original.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10