SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is a new, magical addition to the 4X genre, which we all know stands for Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate. This entry in the series of complex turn-based strategy games transports us into a land of arcane magic and dark arts, emphasising each of the 4Xes in detail.
In this series of articles, we'll be taking a quick look at how SpellForce: Conquest of Eo illuminates and interprets these crucial tenets of 4X games - starting with Explore.
A whole new world
As you start up the game, you'll see a selection of locations available for your first base, an introduction into the land of Eo that will soon stretch out before you, ripe for the picking. Choosing one of these lands to start is a matter of great importance, and over time and various campaigns, you'll come to see what each land has to offer.
One of the easiest places to start is the descriptively named Goldenfields, a perfectly placed location from which you can easily stretch out and get a feel for the game. This is a great place to commence your campaign from, giving you adequate space and time to explore the world around you.
Endless challenges
If an easy ride isn't your MO, you can start in one of the more challenging areas and explore the world from there. Try Alluvyan, a region filled with Elves and dotted with lush forests if you're hunting for natural resources to refine, or head to Draycott if you'd like to fill your pockets with precious ore.
If you want to throw yourself into deep combat, head toward Gillyshire, a location under constant siege from orcs and undead armies. Just take care not to be lulled into a false sense of security by locations like the gorgeous Misty Coast, a beautiful place corrupted by swamp monsters and decaying plant life.
Quirks and resources
Different locations provide a variety of unique resources with their own quirks. Even if it wasn't crucial to your success, you'd soon be drawn to explore the various areas of the Eo map, given their stark visual differences and the promise of new loot.
If you find yourself running low on gold or certain resources like ores, plan your route to a mine or mountain. Need some iron? Set a course for Gillyshire, where the war-torn landscape is rich with deposits. Alternatively, if your resource gathering operation is fully under control, why not head to the dangerous Misty Coast for a generous helping of SpellForce lore?
Wherever you choose to go, SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is packed with mysterious and enchanting places to explore. Grab your copy today and start your campaign.