SpellForce Platinum Edition is an action RPG that blends real-time strategy elements with character progression and large-scale battles. The collection brings together three campaigns set in a shattered fantasy world where players control a rune warrior avatar while commanding armies from multiple factions.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on switching between direct control of the hero avatar and managing RTS-style base building and unit commands. Players gather resources, construct settlements, and recruit from six playable races that can operate together in the same mission. These include humans, dwarves, elves, dark elves, orcs, and trolls, each offering distinct unit types and abilities for varied tactical approaches.
Combat uses a click-based system that allows quick unit selection and orders while maintaining an overview of the battlefield. The avatar levels up through experience, gaining skills and equipment that carry influence across maps in supported modes. Magic plays a prominent role with spells grouped into categories such as white, black, and elemental magic, alongside enchanted items that enhance combat effectiveness.
Graphics support multiple zoom levels, shifting from a broad isometric view for strategy to closer perspectives for detailed action. Enemy forces range from basic goblins to powerful demons, werewolves, fire angels, and massive ice dragons, requiring players to adapt formations and hero abilities accordingly.
Game Modes
The Platinum Edition features three distinct story campaigns drawn from the included titles. The Order of Dawn follows the aftermath of a catastrophic magical event that fragmented the world into islands linked by portals. Shadow of the Phoenix involves preventing the resurrection of ancient circle mages through combined efforts of two rune warriors. Breath of Winter centers on stopping a dark prince from summoning gods of darkness using the blood of the last first-born elf queen.
A free game mode appears in the Breath of Winter content. This allows the avatar to develop skills and try different builds by playing individual maps without restarting the main campaign, providing a sandbox-style option for experimentation with races and abilities.
Cooperative play supports up to three players in certain scenarios, enabling shared control of the avatar and armies for tackling the campaigns together.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds across a post-apocalyptic landscape shaped by the Convocation, a ritual that unleashed elemental destruction and left only scattered islands connected by magic. Players encounter prophecies about an immortal human bound by blood runes who holds the potential to alter the fate of the remaining lands. Each campaign builds on this foundation with escalating threats from necromancers, dark princes, and ancient powers seeking to restore forbidden gods.
Over thirty enemy races populate the world, creating diverse encounters that test both hero skills and army composition. The setting emphasizes themes of greed, power, and redemption through the actions of the central rune warrior.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback on the Platinum Edition remains consistently positive, with overall reviews rated very positive and recent feedback mostly positive. The bundled campaigns deliver extensive playtime through their combined length and the added free mode for replayability.
This collection suits fans of hybrid strategy and role-playing experiences who enjoy managing both a personal hero and large armies. The six playable races and variety of spells provide depth for those who like experimenting with different tactical setups. At its current availability, the edition offers solid value for players interested in classic single-player campaigns with cooperative options.
