The line between the genres of role-playing and strategy has often been blurred when it comes to the video gaming industry. It takes the right touch to blend the two together into a cohesive, enjoyable outing.

Though it is plain that Empire of Magic had every intention of doing just that, the PC title, from Summitsoft Entertainment and Mayhem Studios, often struggles in finding the balance. This is a game that should have embraced the turn-based strategy aspect and called it good. Instead, the gameplay is overly convoluted because of the RPG factor and the game ends up without a solid identity.

The story takes place after generations of prosperity among six principalities ruled by line of high mages. It is in the reign of the 23^rd mage that the balance begins to shift. In the outskirts, entire garrisons of soldiers begin to disappear. Armies of undead rise from the ground and spread death and destruction across the landscape. What evil is behind this mayhem?

At the School of Adu, a concerned teacher sends his student Artemian to the town of Rockhole to discover what lays behind this threat. Artemian is gifted in the arts of magic, but he will have to use much more to get through the forces that stand between him and his goal.

Like most games of this type, the avatar can level up and acquire new skills. And the game has many side-quests in addition to the main quest. There are 12 levels in all in the single-player campaign. However, accomplishing the tasks are not always the easiest thing in the world to do.

It is a precedent established from the first side quest in the tutorial. In halting turn-based fashion, you make it to Rockhole, which isn’t so much a city as it is a screen with hot links to other sections. Should you wish to train up your central avatar, you will receive one of the side quests. Basically, you are tasked with rescuing miners trapped in a nearby cave. You arrive at the cave and several emerge. But herein is the problem of the game. The miners dash off ahead of your rescue party. Oh gee, there are skeletons waiting to slice and dice them. Will they wait for you to catch up? Nope, off they go. Because your movement is based on the amount of AP you have, actually clearing the path for them is not an option. The unfortunate part is that your reward is based on the number you return alive.

This is an example of being set up to fail in small ways, and that the AI is not overly complex. Sure, throw more foes in the path, but for order of movement to get twisted up like that is not much fun.

The game also throws concepts around that really don’t seem necessary other than to confuse the issue. For those who wish to get involved deeply in the concepts of the fighting, perhaps defense values have some pertinence. For others who want to plan their battles, the point-and-click controls are more than enough information.

Of course, knowing the strength of your units is vital. And one nice idea is that attacking units can also target members of their own group, and thus act like a shield for those units.

You can join units by moving them onto the same square. However, only three units can group. If you have four units available, you need to decide the best combination. In this way, the game is more cerebral than reflexive.

The sound elements of the game leave a lot to be desired. The crash and bash of combat is repetitive and not exactly sparkling with realism. The narrative is also a little stale, quickly delivered without emotions.

Graphically the game is very straightforward. The special effects are average.

The main problems with this game are the slow pacing, the story seems forced and doesn’t flow, and it tries to be many things. At its core, Empire of Magic is an average turn-based strategy. Unfortunately, the game seems to be at odds with itself.

This game is rated Teen for violence. As a side note, it seems that this rating is a little harsh as the violence is not very graphic and by its very nature, the game is predicated on warfare.

Gameplay: 6.3
This is a slow-moving game, filled with load times as the game jumps between the movement and combat phases. The mapboards for each level are not very large, and the town interfaces are static.

Graphics: 7
The animation is solid, and the environments are well-designed.

Sound: 5.8
The sound elements of this game need an overhaul. The combat sounds consist of the same sequence and even the typed narrative seems to force the story along. This game’s overall sound quality is a touch below average for the genre.

Difficulty: Medium
This is a game that offers challenge, but it also requires patience. The precepts of the game are not hard to grasp, but the game can be a touch frustrating in how it actualizes the overall gameplay.

Concept: 6
Empires of Magic struggles for an identity. It bills itself as both an RPG and RTS when it really leans heavily to the RTS side. The player interface is not that hard to understand, but the game throws a bunch of concepts at the player that can interfere with what is otherwise a simplistic game structure.

Multiplayer: 6.5
The multiplayer versions tantalize with high cover expectations, then deliver the same array of gaming options typical of the turn-based genre. This is average.

Overall: 6
Empires of Magic has a solid look but seems caught between what it hoped to be and what it is. This game is overworked and that hampers what might have been a solid turn-based strategy experience. Is this game an RPG title? Not really, but it does have a solid grasp of the turn-based fundamentals. Some of the individual aspects of the game need to be reworked simply because they seem forced. The game strives to attain a lofty place, but comes up a little short.