Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Besieger offers a robust real-time strategy experience, blending classic base-building with dynamic siege mechanics. The core of the game revolves around three distinct single-player campaigns: guide the exiled Viking warriors as they search for Thor’s hammer, lead the beleaguered Cimmerians in defense of their homeland, or play as the returning king Korin on his quest for the fabled magic sword. Each campaign introduces unique objectives, from escort missions and artifact hunts to large-scale assaults on enemy strongholds, ensuring that players rarely repeat the same scenario twice.

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The skirmish modes add further variety, supporting up to nine opponents—either AI or human—across local and online play. Traditional modes like Deathmatch and Artifact challenge players to establish economies, construct buildings, and slay foes to cripple enemy production. In contrast, Siege and Battle modes remove resource management entirely, demanding tactical prowess with a preset roster of units. The absence of base-building in these latter modes puts emphasis on unit composition, terrain advantage, and timely use of hero abilities.

Heroes in Besieger act as powerful force multipliers. Much like Warcraft III’s famous champions, these units level up, acquire new skills, and can turn the tide of battle with well-timed spells or powerful attacks. Balancing hero upgrades against army expansion becomes a central strategic choice. Should you invest in healing waves and crowd control for your champion, or bolster your infantry with extra archers? Skilled players will learn to juggle both to outwit opponents and create memorable comeback victories.

Graphics

Visually, Besieger embraces a stylized medieval fantasy palette that feels both vibrant and grounded. The environments range from misty forests and rocky highlands to snow-covered villages, each area rendered with detailed textures and dynamic lighting. Day-night cycles and weather effects add immersion, transforming the battlefield as fog drifts in or torches cast long shadows under a moonlit sky.

Unit models are sharply defined, with clear silhouettes that help in distinguishing cavalry from infantry or siege engines on the fly. Animations are fluid—soldiers raise pikes in unison, cavalry charges feel weighty, and siege engines deploy with satisfying mechanical flourishes. While top-tier modern RTS titles may boast more polygons, Besieger’s art direction and color schemes ensure clarity during chaotic engagements, preventing visual clutter even in large-scale battles.

The user interface strikes a balance between accessibility and depth. Building menus and hotkeys are logically organized, allowing quick access to unit production and research trees. Tooltips provide concise descriptions of abilities and cost breakdowns, helping newcomers to pick up the basics in minutes. Occasional frame rate dips can occur in the densest skirmishes, but overall performance remains stable on mid-range hardware.

Story

At the heart of Besieger lies an epic tale of ambition, betrayal, and redemption. When Korin—the rightful king of the Cimmerians—sets out to reclaim a fabled magic sword, his sister Mara seizes the throne through dark rituals and malevolent sorcery. This fraternal conflict sets the stage for a rich narrative that spans three intertwined campaigns, each offering a fresh perspective on the unfolding war.

Meanwhile, a Viking contingent hears rumors of Mara’s uprising and fears an imminent attack. They embark on a daring quest to retrieve Thor’s hammer, hoping to return with divine might. Their flying ship is shot down, however, and they arrive only to find their capital in ruins. This twist adds pathos to the Viking storyline, driving home the high stakes and personal losses behind each strategic maneuver.

Cutscenes between missions are well-paced, featuring compelling voice acting and evocative musical scores. Character arcs evolve naturally as alliances shift and hidden motives surface—what begins as a straightforward expedition turns into a multifaceted struggle for power and justice. While some clichés of the high-fantasy genre do appear, the interplay between Korin, Mara, and the Viking leaders keeps the plot engaging and gives each side a clear narrative voice.

Overall Experience

Besieger delivers a satisfying blend of strategy depth and narrative richness. The triple-campaign structure provides ample single-player content, easily spanning 20–30 hours for dedicated completionists. Skirmish and multiplayer modes extend replayability indefinitely, with custom lobbies and AI difficulty settings catering to both casual skirmishers and seasoned RTS veterans.

Matchmaking is straightforward, though a more active online community would improve wait times for full nine-player battles. Fortunately, LAN support and AI customization ensure that players rarely have to wait to dive into action. The learning curve is welcoming, thanks to built-in tutorials and scalable difficulty levels, making it suitable for newcomers while still challenging experienced commanders.

For fans of Warcraft III-style hero mechanics combined with detailed siege warfare, Besieger stands out as a hidden gem. Its polished presentation, varied game modes, and compelling storyline make it a must-try for strategy enthusiasts looking for an immersive medieval fantasy adventure without being overwhelmed by micromanagement. Whether you’re rallying your first troops or leading a climactic assault on Mara’s dark fortress, Besieger consistently delivers moments of strategic brilliance and narrative payoff.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10