Info about Fantasy General II:

Official game description:
Hero Edition
============
The Hero Edition features exclusive contents in addition to the base game. Play an exciting prequel campaign, get the magic soundtrack (20 total tracks, from Fantasy General and Fantasy General II!), the artbook of the game and a map of the world of Aer.  
*   Base game with a 33 scenarios campaign  
*   Tale of Falir prequel campaign  
*   Digital soundtrack  
*   104 pages long Digital Artbook  
*   Printable world map
General Edition
===============
The General Edition is the ultimate edition for Fantasy General II: Invasion! It comprises of the base game, plus all the goods included in the Hero Edition, as well as the first two future expansions. It is a tremendous way to save on future content: by acquiring them through the General Edition you will take advantage of a significant discount.  
*   Base game with a 33 scenarios campaign  
*   Tale of Falir prequel campaign  
*   Digital soundtrack (20 tracks from Fantasy General and Fantasy General II!)  
*   104 pages long digital Artbook  
*   Printable world map  
*   Two future expansions
About the Game
==============
_Three hundred years have passed since the Shadow Wars have ravaged Keldonia and the world of Aer, and the struggles of the past have long since faded into legends.  
In the Highlands of Fareach, Clans of Barbarian warriors have eked out a living in the harsh northern climate, constantly feuding with each other and raiding the wealthier Borderland towns. Fed up with these constant attacks, the Borderland Clans called on the Empire for help – a powerful realm controlling the land from the Scarlett Mountains to Cynehelm Valley and the Hoarwood. The Western Imperial Legion was sent to face the highland raiders, and with the help of the Borderland clans Iseal and Machnar, killed High King Brendan in the battle of Wyrm’s Pass.  
A treaty was signed that forbade any clan from crossing into the Borderlands in return for peace. Since then, there has been no High King to unite the Clans, and they fell into quarrelling and raiding amongst themselves.  
In these dark times your clan has been led by Falir One-Eye, a warrior of great renown. You are his son and designated heir, and you are eager to prove your mettle to the Clan Council and your father…_
The Legacy
----------
Fantasy General II: Invasion is the reimagination of the strategy game classic from the 90s!  
Armies once again draw battle-lines on the war-torn land of Keldonia, and a new generation of commanders will test their bravery and tactics against each other. Fantasy wargaming is back!
The Battles
-----------
True to the tradition of the original game, Fantasy General II is all about turn-based battles. Lead over 75 different unique unit types, including powerful heroes.  
Take into consideration terrain, weapons and armour, magical effects, morale, and the balance of forces, make a plan, execute it, and vanquish your enemy, forging your reputation as a savage war-leader.
The Campaign
------------
Battle after battle, you will need to make decisions and develop your army. The young clan members will need to be trained, and as they gain enough experience, even the greenest recruits can be turned into champions. But beware: costly victories can be worse than a defeat… when battle-hardened units perish, so does their progression and experience.  
Each unit comes with their specific abilities, arms and armour, and they can be equipped with magic artefacts you find during battle and upgraded with gold and resources that you need to plunder from your enemy.
The Clans
---------
A confederation of autonomous hill-land tribes, who value their independence and will fight fiercely for it.  
Field axemen, berserkers, spearmaidens, trolls and shamans, summon ancestor spirits and mighty elementals or train nimble stag riders and deadly werebears or recruit mercenaries from longbowmen to centaurs.
The Empire
----------
The most powerful realm on the face of Aer.  
Face the mighty Legions of the Empire and their magical creations from dragon cannons to golems as well as the Undead hordes they bring to battle, or fight harpies, lizard people and great dragons on your way.
The World
---------
The world of Aer is filled with beauty and wonders. From the cold, magic-rich highlands of Fareach, home to the player’s Barbarian Clans, to the Borderlands with their fertile river valleys and deep woods where witches and monsters still roam free; from the Sunken Land, submerged through a great Cataclysm and filled with treacherous swamp and Lizardfolk, to the refined and temperate Empire to the South, home to wondrous cities and built upon undead labour. Your campaign will see you fight across very different battlefields, requiring variable tactics and army composition.

Release date: Sep 5, 2019

Categories: Turn-based Tactical, Hex-grid Combat, Fantasy Wargaming, Unit Management, Branching Narrative, Resource Management, Hero Skill Trees, Campaign-based Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Borderline Fair with Day-1 DLC Concerns; summary: The reviews primarily criticize the base game for having limited content and requiring DLC to access full factions, which some players view as a form of day-1 DLC. However, there is no evidence of microtransactions, pay-to-win, gacha, or in-game currency. Pricing complaints about DLC and base game are common, but the free giveaway and discounted bundles offset some negativity. Overall, the monetization model is traditional DLC expansions, not predatory.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Broken - Frequent Crashes and Interface Issues; summary: The game exhibits frequent crashes that severely disrupt gameplay, occasional frame drops, and a user interface that may be hard to read on small screens like the Steam Deck. While performance is generally acceptable, the stability issues make the experience unreliable.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The community feedback consistently indicates the base game is overpriced at its full retail price (cited as $60). Many reviews state it is not worth full price and instead recommend waiting for a sale, with 75% off being a common target. Positive purchase experiences at around $27 on sale suggest that price is acceptable, while the need for large discounts implies a fair price below $30. Combining these views gives a reasonable range of $10 to $25, where the game is considered worthwhile without feeling overpriced.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 49.0h
  - Story completion: 50.0h
  - Session length: 2.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first two quotes provide direct evidence for game completion time (49-298 hours), with 49 hours being a more typical figure from another reviewer. The third quote explicitly states the main campaign length at 50 hours, supporting story completion. The fourth quote indicates a typical session length of 2-3 hours per mission from a Chinese review. No reliable evidence for endgame hours was found, so that metric is set to null. The variation in game completion times reduces confidence slightly.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has mixed reception: some players find initial enjoyment that fades due to repetitiveness and difficulty walls, while others struggle from the start with a steep learning curve and lack of guidance.
  - Stance: Mixed
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Steep learning curve; Repetitive missions; Difficulty walls; Tedious movement; Limited resources; Lack of guidance
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: Player tolerance for repetitive gameplay; Ability to overcome steep learning curve; Enjoyment of tactical depth; Preference for slow-paced strategic planning; Willingness to replay missions for better outcomes; Patience with long campaign length
- Player Archetypes:
  - Tactical Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery of challenging, fair tactical combat and meaningful unit progression
    - Playstyle: Careful, methodical, and adaptive; uses save-scumming as a learning tool, prioritizes positioning and counter-play over raw power.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Intimidated Newcomer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoying a tactical fantasy game without punishing difficulty or opaque systems
    - Playstyle: Prefers lower difficulty settings, wants to explore story and unit upgrades without stress, and struggles with dense interface and steep learning curve.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-conscious Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: Getting good value for money; enjoys the gameplay but feels the base price and DLCs are too high.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys tactical depth and long campaigns but is patient and waits for discounts to purchase.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Original Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and comparison to the original game; wants the same tactical feel but with modern improvements.
    - Playstyle: Plays with high expectations of classic mechanics, values map knowledge and predictable reinforcements, and often plays on higher difficulties.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Fantasy General; Warhammer 40k: Armageddon


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Great overall game quality (weight 0.34): Overall impressions are very positive, citing a beautiful game that is both enjoyable and fun. The graphics, story, and gameplay combine for a satisfying experience.
- Branching narrative with replay value (weight 0.27): The story is well-written and features branching paths based on player choices. This design encourages multiple playthroughs and meaningful narrative agency.
- Deep tactical turn-based combat (weight 0.24): The core gameplay revolves around deep turn-based tactical hex strategy. Mechanics like terrain, morale, and unit interactions provide significant strategic depth.
- Hero skill trees add depth (weight 0.11): Heroes feature unique skill trees that allow for meaningful customization and impact gameplay. This adds another layer of strategy to unit management.
- Bug-free experience reported (weight 0.11): The game is reported to be very stable with few to no bugs, providing a smooth and polished experience. This enhances overall satisfaction.
- Long campaign with good content (weight 0.09): The campaign is extensive, offering long play sessions with substantial content. This provides great value for players seeking in-depth strategy experiences.
- Meaningful dialogue choices matter (weight 0.09): Dialogue choices carry significant weight, affecting story paths and outcomes. This makes decision-making feel impactful and adds moral complexity.
- Worthy successor to original (weight 0.09): The game serves as a proper and worthy successor to the original classic, retaining its spirit while improving mechanics. Fans of the series appreciate the continuation.
- Players support via DLC purchases (weight 0.09): Players are so satisfied that they purchased all available DLC to support the developers. This demonstrates strong positive sentiment and loyalty.
- Good value on discount (weight 0.09): Many players find the game offers good value, especially when purchased on sale. It is considered worth the price for the content provided.
- Every choice has weight (weight 0.09): Every choice feels important and difficult, reinforcing the weight of player decisions. This enhances immersion and narrative engagement.

Common complaints:
- DLC needed for value (weight 0.16): The game's replay value and full experience rely on expensive DLC that many feel is essential but overpriced. Seven reviewers agree that the base game feels incomplete without paid content.
- Mediocre story quality (weight 0.14): Six reviewers found the story boring, cliche, and unengaging. The narrative fails to captivate players, detracting from the overall experience.
- Too expensive base price (weight 0.12): Multiple reviewers criticize the $40 price tag as too high even on sale. The cost is considered unreasonable for the content offered.
- Base game feels incomplete (weight 0.1): Four reviewers describe the base game as a $40 demo with an $80 total cost including DLC. They suggest pricing should be $20 for base and $10 for DLC.
- Poor value for money (weight 0.08): Three users state the game is worth at most €10, not the €39 or €80 price tags. The value proposition is strongly negative.
- No undo feature (weight 0.08): Three reviewers highlight the lack of an undo button for misclicks or rushed actions, forcing full reloads after mistakes.
- Unintuitive interface (weight 0.08): Three players find the interface dense, unintuitive, and inconvenient. Usability issues frustrate gameplay.
- Steep learning curve (weight 0.08): Three reviewers note the game is unfriendly to beginners with a steep learning curve. New players struggle to get started.
- No hero customization (weight 0.08): Three reviewers complain about the lack of skill trees or customization for heroes, with only one hero having limited options.
- Terrible multiplayer mode (weight 0.08): Three reviewers report that multiplayer is poorly made and bad. The mode is unenjoyable.
- Too few factions (weight 0.08): Three players are disappointed that only 2 factions are available in a full-price game. More variety is expected.
- High difficulty on normal (weight 0.08): Three reviewers find the game tough even on normal mode, requiring frequent reloads to avoid damage.
- Tone differs from original (weight 0.08): Three players note the game's tone is different from Fantasy General 1, feeling slow and defensive-biased. It may not appeal to fans.
- Only barbarians in campaign (weight 0.08): Three reviewers report that only one faction (Barbarians) is playable in the campaign, limiting variety.
- Repetitive content structure (weight 0.05): Two reviewers describe the mission structure as extremely repetitive and monotonous. Variety is lacking.
- Missions feel similar (weight 0.05): Two players find missions too similar and repetitive, reducing engagement.
- Quickly loses interest (weight 0.05): Two reviewers lost interest within 30 minutes or over time. The game fails to hold attention.
- Gameplay becomes boring (weight 0.05): Two users describe gameplay as tiring and boring, leading to staleness.

Gameplay feedback:
- Turn-based tactical core (weight 0.5): The game is fundamentally a turn-based tactical strategy game with unit management on campaign maps, similar to classics like Panzer General or Fantasy General.
- Hex-grid combat system (weight 0.38): Combat is played on a hex grid, emphasizing positioning and tactical unit maneuvers, comparable to Heroes of Might and Magic.
- Unit upgrade system (weight 0.29): Units can be upgraded through classes, experience, and equipment, allowing specialization and progression.
- Branching campaign narrative (weight 0.28): The campaign offers branching missions with moral choices that affect story outcomes, providing replayability and player-driven narrative.
- Civilization-style strategic layer (weight 0.16): The game's strategic overview and troop movement resemble the Civilization series, with empire management and war focus.
- Only one playable faction (weight 0.15): The campaign features only the barbarian faction with a single narrative, and a second faction is behind a paywall.
- Hero skill trees (weight 0.14): Heroes have branching skill trees with meaningful choices, as upgrades cannot be fully maxed, promoting specialization.
- Terrain affects combat (weight 0.12): Terrain types such as hills influence unit effectiveness, positioning, and morale, adding depth to tactical battles.
- Low-luck tactical planning (weight 0.12): The combat system emphasizes careful planning with minimal randomness, relying on unit roles and decision-making.
- Unit experience and evolution (weight 0.12): Units gain experience and can evolve into new specialized types, rewarding long-term investment.
- Fantasy warfare setting (weight 0.09): Set in a Warhammer-esque fantasy world with swords, magic, and monsters, appealing to lovers of dark fantasy.
- Resource management gameplay (weight 0.09): Players manage gold, mana, and other resources to recruit units and equip artifacts, adding strategic depth.
- Fog of war exploration (weight 0.08): Fog of war hides enemy positions and terrain, requiring exploration and reconnaissance.
- Artifact equipment system (weight 0.08): Units can carry artifacts that modify abilities, providing customization and tactical perks.
- Unit diversity and roles (weight 0.07): A wide variety of unit types including infantry, archers, cavalry, and fantastic creatures each have distinct roles.
- Large varied maps (weight 0.06): The game features large maps with diverse terrain, encouraging strategic movement and positioning.
- Multiple campaign modes (weight 0.06): Includes an Empire campaign, Onslaught procedural mode, and a Full Invasion campaign with over 20 missions.
- Morale system mechanics (weight 0.06): Morale affects damage output and retreat behavior, and magic resistance is tied to morale rather than a separate stat.

Performance notes:
- Performance praised by many (weight 0.22): Multiple users report smooth and stable performance, with no crashes or bugs, even on older or low-end hardware. This suggests the game runs well for a wide range of systems.
- Optimization issues flagged (weight 0.1): Some users report poor optimization, including GPU overload on minimum settings and lag during army changes. This indicates performance problems on certain hardware configurations.
- Frame drops during gameplay (weight 0.07): Users note occasional frame drops during spell casting and on some maps, with suggestions to lower cosmetic environment settings. These performance dips can affect gameplay experience.
- Corrupted save files reported (weight 0.06): Two users experienced corrupted save files in the Malrics Valley scenario, making it unplayable. This is a critical bug that needs immediate attention.
- GPU demanding on high settings (weight 0.03): The game requires a strong GPU like a 1660 Super for minimum settings in large battles, and is generally very GPU demanding. This may limit accessibility for lower-end systems.
- Game crashes reported (weight 0.03): One user reports repeated game crashes, which is a serious stability issue that could prevent play. This needs investigation.
- Fast loading and saving (weight 0.03): One user highlights very fast loading and saving times, which is a positive aspect of the technical performance.
- Need PC reboot after exit (weight 0.03): A user mentions the game requires a PC reboot after quitting, indicating a memory leak or driver conflict. This is an inconvenience that could be fixed.

Recommendations:
- Strong recommendation for genre fans (weight 0.52): The strongest consensus is that the game is a must-play for fans of turn-based strategy, hex-grid tactics, and fantasy settings. Players frequently compare it to classics like Panzer General, Battle Brothers, and Heroes of Might & Magic.
- Recommended for hex and fantasy fans (weight 0.26): The game is recommended for fans of fantasy strategy, hex-grid games, and the Panzer General/Corps series. Players who enjoy calculated tactical moves will find it appealing.
- Do not recommend buying (weight 0.25): A vocal minority strongly advises against buying the game at any price, even for free. They feel the game is fundamentally not worth playing or purchasing.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.25): A significant number of reviewers advise against buying the game at full price, citing the $39 price tag as too high. They recommend waiting for a deep sale or discount before purchasing.
- Mixed feedback on DLC value (weight 0.14): Opinions are mixed on the DLC: some consider it indispensable for the full experience, while others caution against buying it at full price. The DLC is seen as expensive relative to its value.
- Appeals to specific franchise fans (weight 0.14): The game is particularly recommended for fans of Heroes of Might & Magic, Battle Brothers, XCOM, and Panzer Corps. It appeals to players who enjoy long campaigns and strategic depth.
- Better alternatives exist (weight 0.08): A few players note that better alternatives exist in the genre, such as Civilization 6, suggesting the game does not stand out among its competitors.
- Not for quick sessions (weight 0.05): The game is not recommended for players who want quick sessions or fast-paced battles. It is designed for longer, more strategic gameplay sessions.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players report frustration due to a lack of an undo feature, convoluted UI, slow battles, and unfair AI advantages with infinite resources. Additionally, high difficulty with permanent death, poor tutorials, and resource scarcity force excessive trial and error, making strategic planning feel useless.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.15): Satisfaction comes from rich gameplay mechanics, deep tactical depth, and meaningful progression systems like unit upgrades and hero trees. Players enjoy large varied maps, rewarding challenges, and the satisfaction of seeing units grow from level 1 to 10, with many citing the game as a worthy successor to classic strategy titles.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Disappointment stems from limited content, unbalanced factions, repetitive mission design, and a lack of unit variety compared to the original Fantasy General. Players feel the game is overpriced, feels incomplete without DLC, and fails to capture the depth and innovation of its predecessor.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Enjoyment is driven by engaging tactical battles, strategic depth, and a compelling fantasy setting with unit customization and progression. Players appreciate the rewarding gameplay, atmospheric music, and the satisfaction of raising unique units, often comparing the experience favorably to classic turn-based strategy games.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement arises from the game's deep tactical possibilities, diverse unit interactions, and engaging progression systems that keep each battle fresh. Players are thrilled by the fantasy world, epic battles, and the joy of discovering new strategies, with many investing hundreds of hours and eagerly anticipating future content.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance is caused by visual clutter, inconvenient UI, and resource mechanics that force grinding over strategy. Other irritants include repetitive music, poor translation, and hidden consequences of choices, which detract from the overall experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation focuses on the game's strategic depth, unit variety, and well-balanced gameplay that rewards careful planning. Players value the technical polish, fast saves, and the nostalgic feel of classic strategy games, with many noting the game's quality and the developers' support.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's faithful return to the classic Fantasy General franchise, with familiar music, mechanics, and references to the original. Players feel a strong connection to the 1996 classic, appreciating how the game blends nostalgic elements with modern features.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom results from repetitive combat, predictable enemy patterns, and long map-clearing times that make missions feel like chores. Players find the gameplay monotonous after a few hours, with a lack of compelling story or engaging introduction leading to disinterest.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by unfair AI advantages, excessive enemy spawning, and a resource system that forces tedious save scumming. Players feel the game is poorly designed, with a poor price-to-content ratio and mechanics that punish strategic play, leading to a sense of wasted time and money.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise comes from the game exceeding low expectations, offering unexpected quality, depth, and engagement despite being free or seemingly simple. Players are pleasantly surprised by the rich tactical experience and immersive story, often finishing the entire game.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement stems from humorous character dialogue, unique concepts like combat bears, and the exaggerated tone of the game's storytelling. Players find comedy in the contrast between careful planning and chaotic outcomes, as well as the lazy AI behavior.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is driven by long-term campaign decisions, resource scarcity, and the need to learn from failures. Players stay invested due to in-mission events, hex map battles, and the satisfaction of improving through repeated playthroughs.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is expressed for the game's succinct writing, troop progression, and the carry-over feature that adds depth. Players are captivated by the strategy and storytelling, finding the game exactly what they want, with many playing it exclusively for weeks.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is directed at developers for offering the base game for free, with many players buying DLCs to show support. Others thank mod creators for localization and appreciate the game's compatibility with Steam Deck.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by the game's unusual world, engaging combat scenarios, and the requirement for meaningful decisions on nearly every turn. Players find the strategy and story compelling, with unit variety adding to the intrigue.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction arises from the 'one more turn' gameplay loop, addictive campaign, and high replayability that keeps players coming back. The mixture of strategic elements and progression hooks creates a compelling experience similar to the original game.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from learning from failures and succeeding in subsequent playthroughs, with battle magic and unit variety adding fun. The challenge level is just right to maintain interest without overwhelming, leading to memorable adventures.
- Pleasant surprise (weight 0.01): Pleasant surprise is felt when the game exceeds low expectations, offering a dynamic campaign and unexpectedly good quality. Players who had no prior experience with the series find it engaging and well-crafted.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for future refinements, new DLC, and improvements to cater to less hardcore players. Players look forward to additional content and enhancements, expecting the game to grow better over time.}