2000s PC Turn Based RPG Game

[Zerolera]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a RPG that I played in 2002/2003 not exactly sure when it came out but it had graphics pretty much to the standard of Diablo 2 so I'd wager around the same time period. I was quite young so I don't remember the name nor do I own the game anymore but would love to replay it. Below is absolutely everything I remember about it:

- The game was a strategy turn based RPG game for the PC that I played on a windows 98

- You controlled a group of units and basically had certain goals each chapter on different maps to achieve before proceeding to the next map in the story where your character would be transferred

- You could not build any cities, nor customize any character, the only thing you could do is recruit units to your party from certain cities that were found each map

- Each character could level up and learn abilities, some were heroes that you only got one of others were common units like a paladin of foot soldier for example.

- The first cinematic of the game takes place in a desert ravine where a group of about 4-5 solder gets ambushed by these goat-like monsters. One is on a horse who I believe was the price/king and there's one archer who you see in the cinematic is the last to die.

- The first hero (non generic unit) the game gives you is a wizard. The first mission starts you in a town west of the map has you travel east to some other town and then kill something down south in a tower. While the second mission has you in a desert having to first protect the city and then exploring the large map to finally kill the boss at the end.

I've asked this in a few other places and haven't gotten an answer unfortunately. No it's not heroes of might and magic nor master's of magic. I believe the game probably wasn't well known. If anyone has any ideas what it could be please let me know and I apologize for the large amount of text.

Thank you

 

[James Mason]

Ogre Battle, or one of the Ogre Tactics series?

Your description sounds so much like Ogre Battle. The main character (you) is a barbarian type looking guy/girl, and the first hero you recruit is Warren the Wizard, (though Lans the knight is actually the first one you can recruit in the tutorial level) but you have to defeat him first. The game has a levelup/evolve system where common foot soldiers can become knights and samurais and stuff.

 

[Zerolera]

I don't think that's the one but all the videos I'm finding for it are for March of the Black Queen which seems to be the oldest one. The graphics were definitely much better than that I also should add that when two units went into battle they weren't taken into like battle screen (like most final fantasy games for example) instead they just stood on the map and attacked/casted their spell.

If you could link me an image or video about the game you're referring to I could reply. I do have the memory of how it looked pretty well kept.

 

[James Mason]

Hmm... Well, what about:

Lords of Magic (Different from Masters of Magic)
Age of Wonders

You can try going through google images to see if anything looks familiar

 

[Zerolera]

I lied about the the instance battle I actually do remember that you were able to form parties of up to 3 with the heroes/regular soldiers you got and you would be entered into a battle against an opposing party of up to 3 and would fight them. I remember how pissed off that the first hero you got the mage was so weak because he couldn't cast anything since you had to be like level 4 before you learned your first spell.

Also I've looked at Lords of Magic and Age of Wonders before and neither of those are it. The first hero you get is a mage but that doesn't mean the game revolves around magic or anything not anymore than say games like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy tactics do.