Field of Glory II Review Summary

While offering rich historical army variety and strong AI, the game suffers from complex clunky rules, a steep learning curve, slow long battles, and missing strategic layer depth.

Excellent ancient battle wargame: The game excels as an ancient battle wargame, with engaging historical battles and a good selection of scenarios. It is highly recommended for genre fans.

Extensive historical army variety: Players praise the huge selection of armies from different periods and regions. This variety allows trying different tactics and enhances replayability.

Fun and engaging gameplay: Players consistently describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and engaging. The battles are intense and immersive.

Strong AI challenges players: The AI is challenging and plays well, particularly at higher difficulties. It knows how to flank and exploit weaknesses.

Complex and clunky rules: The ruleset is dense, with unclear mechanics for unit movement, turning, and morale, leading to frustrating encounters and a high entry barrier. The lack of in-game explanation exacerbates the difficulty.

Lack of strategic layer: The game lacks a map-based strategic layer, offering only a campaign-lite of linked battles without city management, supply, or army movement choices. This limits strategy depth and replayability.

Steep learning curve: New players face a steep learning curve with insufficient tutorial guidance. The tutorial is poor, with annoying pop-ups and a lack of specific instructions, making the game overwhelming for beginners.

Slow pacing and long battles: The game's pacing is extremely slow, with battles that can last hours, leading to boredom and frustration for players seeking fast-paced action. The turn-based structure and excessive text reading further slow the experience.

Unrealistic combat outcomes: Combat outcomes are unrealistic, with light troops defeating elite cavalry, phalanxes crumbling to impact foot, and historical tactics not modeled. This undermines the game's credibility as a simulation of ancient warfare.

Turn-based tactical wargame: Multiple clusters describe the game as a turn-based tactical wargame with grid-based movement and historical battles. This core identity is reinforced by references to tabletop-style play.

Multiple unit types: Players command a variety of units including infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots, with strengths and weaknesses that create rock-paper-scissors dynamics. Terrain and morale add tactical depth.

Multiplayer support available: The game supports both single-player and multiplayer modes, including asynchronous PBEM. Multiplayer is a key feature.

Ancient historical setting: The game is set in ancient history, specifically the Rise of Rome period, and covers eras from Antiquity to the Middle Ages. Historical scenarios and campaigns are included.

Campaigns and standalone battles: The game offers both individual battles and longer campaigns, with connected sequences across multiple historical eras. Historical scenarios are included.

Graphics lack detail: Even at maximum settings, the graphics appear lacking in texture detail, which may disappoint players expecting higher visual fidelity.

Loading times affected by 3D: The use of 3D graphics causes the game to load slower, which can be a minor annoyance for players.

Appeals to history buffs: Reviews frequently recommend the game to players interested in ancient history, military history, and historical settings. The game’s historical accuracy and period detail are praised.

Suitable for turn-based tactics fans: The game is consistently recommended for fans of turn-based tactical games and strategic depth. It suits players who enjoy careful planning and methodical combat over fast-paced action.

Strong recommendation from fans: Many reviewers offer unqualified praise, urging players to buy the game immediately. Enthusiasts describe it as a gem and highly recommend it to anyone matching the target audience.

Not for casual players: Several reviews explicitly state that the game is not suitable for casual players, those expecting cinematic battles, or those who prefer dynamic RTS gameplay. The complex rules and slow pacing are barriers for casual audiences.

Recommendation for Total War fans: Reviews suggest that fans of Total War series may enjoy this game, though it is noted to be different in gameplay style. It offers a more complex and simulation-oriented experience.

Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00.

Session length: 1.0h.

Field of Glory II requires overcoming a steep learning curve and slow pacing, but once players grasp the core battle mechanics (particularly pushbacks and evasions), the game becomes deeply rewarding and fun. This turning point typically arrives after a few hours of tutorials and practice.

Reported time to anchor: 3h.

Friction: steep learning curve; poor in-game tutorial with annoying pop-ups; slow pacing; unforgiving for beginners; undocumented rules and arcane mechanics; opaque multiplayer transition for single-player players.

Unlock drivers: understanding battle mechanics; learning how to use pushbacks and evasions; grasping the logic of ancient warfare; completing the three tutorial scenarios.

Historical Tabletop Tactician: Methodical, careful positioning and morale management, often playing PBEM or solo against challenging AI. Motivation: Authentic historical simulation and deep tactical depth with high replayability. Stance: buy.

Intimidated Newcomer: Struggles to learn without hand-holding; gives up easily or persists only with external guides and patience. Motivation: Interest in ancient history but frustrated by complexity and opaque mechanics. Stance: deep sale.

Multiplayer PBEM Fan: Engages in asynchronous PBEM, leagues, and quick battles; actively seeks opponents and participates in the community. Motivation: Competitive and cooperative play with a lively, persistent community. Stance: buy.

Monetization: User feedback focuses entirely on DLC pricing, with complaints about high cost and missing nations. However, reviews also note that DLC is optional and the base game offers extensive content. There is no evidence of in-game microtransactions, loot boxes, or pay-to-win mechanics, indicating a fair monetization model.

DLC and expansion value: Reviews discuss the game's DLC structure, with some noting high prices and costs similar to the main game, while others see DLCs as valuable additions that expand armies, campaigns, and eras. There is anticipation for future expansions and occasional criticism of predatory business models.

Mod support and community: The game's strong mod support and active community are highlighted, with user-created scenarios, campaigns, and mods available in-game and on forums. This extends replayability and fosters a dedicated player base, including tournaments and friendly multiplayer communities.

Frequent Total War comparisons: Many reviews compare the game to the Total War series, noting differences in gameplay pace, realism, and tactical depth. Some prefer this game's battles for being more dynamic and realistic, while others criticize Total War's limited control and gamey visuals.

Compared to tabletop wargames: Reviewers frequently compare the game to tabletop wargaming experiences, highlighting its role as a digital adaptation of miniatures and board games. This includes direct mentions of Field of Glory, DBA, DBMM, and other tabletop titles, with some praising its convenience and fidelity to the analog experience.

High price concerns: Several reviews express that the game and its DLCs are expensive, particularly relative to graphics and content. While some consider the price justified by depth and replayability, others warn that content is locked behind paid DLC and may not be worth the cost.