53% | Mixed
53% of the 293 user reviews on Steam are positive.
Bannermen is a real-time strategy (RTS) game, with a strong focus on individual unit control as well as map control. With the complexity of chess, you must adapt and outsmart the enemy in real time while gathering intel through scouting. Every encounter is critical.
With two resources, Wood and Gold, the game takes inspiration from predecessors within the genre and has a very high skill ceiling while still being easier to get into than comparable competitive RTS games.
While staying true to its roots, Bannermen takes the best elements from the genre and adds its own unique flair to it. The nature of the game is competitive. Matches generally last between 10-25 minutes, depending on playstyle. This fast format allows for intuitive learning and gets you right in the action while making it easier to learn the counter plays than in other RTS games.
Having suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Beckron, you, Lord Berrian must now regain former bannermen that have surrendered to Lord Karthor. The days of chasing glory are over, as terror spreads and forces ever greater sacrifices to hold Lord Karthor’s men at bay. Without a home and much time to spare, you must travel the vast lands of Valtoria to obtain supplies and convert soldiers to your righteous cause.
Take manual control over each unit and use its abilities wisely. To become a successful commander, you need to manage your resources well and construct new bases when the timing is right. The balance between economy and army as well as transitioning to more advanced units when it is possible is a big part of the strategic depth in Bannermen. But there are also unique mechanics, like the Temples which you can build to gain Nature Powers. These powers can have devastating effects on your enemies and varies for each map as well as their available building locations. After a Temple has been erected your enemies will be notified and a publicly visible timer begins that counts down to when it is available.
In Bannermen each player can choose to recruit one out of three Heroes that can be levelled up throughout the match to become more powerful. Levels are gained by killing neutral creeps, or by defeating enemy units.