Lords of Magic
Lords of Magic PC CD power fight force of evil nations role-playing RPG game!
Game
Windows
Sierra
1997
CD
$3.49
Share:
As LOM opens, an elaborate cinematic tells the story of Balkoth, Arch-Demon of Death, and his efforts to conquer the great nations of Urak. As lord of one of these nations, your goal is to defeat Balkoth, either alone or through an alliance of nations. The game provides numerous gameplay options, as you may choose to lead any of the eight nations (or faiths) as a warrior, a mage, or a thief. Each faith has its own unique units, though these are pretty much balanced out among the faiths.
The main component of the game is a resource management and exploration phase in which you wander the countryside in search of mines, special locations (towers, villages, keeps, and so on), and enemies. During this turn-based phase, you must also develop your capital city and build up your armies. One of your first goals is to find and liberate the Great Temple of your faith, which will inspire your people to build a stronghold for you.
As in HOMM II, each of your armies is led by a champion, though in this case you can actually have three champions per army. The rest of your military might comprises foot soldiers, cavalry, missile troops, and recon units that you recruit from the various buildings of your city. For some reason, these buildings (barracks, mage's tower, and thieves' guild) are outside of your city, so you must physically move from city to building in order to recruit anyone. Also, you cannot do anything in a city or building without actually being there. Logically, of course, this makes sense, but it is a lot more annoying than HOMM II's "manage from anywhere" system. Besides, one would think that in a city, someone would be available to do mundane managerial work should the need arise.
When you are able to recruit new troops, you can give them an experience boost by stationing a champion in the appropriate building (a veteran warrior in the barracks, for example). This can help improve your new recruits but at the cost of keeping a valuable unit away from the battlefield. The only other way to improve your troops is to use them in combat. This has its drawbacks as well, since it takes a ridiculously long time for your units to recover from battle wounds.
LOM's real-time combat phase takes place from an overhead isometric viewpoint that resembles a mix between Diablo and the Realms of Arkania series. You can either direct your troops manually or use "The Button" to let LOM auto-calculate the results for you. Either way, you're forced to wait while the game first loads up the combat engine, then reloads the main game screen after each battle. Since the auto-calculate feature often achieved far better results than I did, I found myself wishing for the option to choose auto-calculate before all of the loading and reloading took place.
For Windows (32-bit Systems) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections in 'What You Get']
The main component of the game is a resource management and exploration phase in which you wander the countryside in search of mines, special locations (towers, villages, keeps, and so on), and enemies. During this turn-based phase, you must also develop your capital city and build up your armies. One of your first goals is to find and liberate the Great Temple of your faith, which will inspire your people to build a stronghold for you.
As in HOMM II, each of your armies is led by a champion, though in this case you can actually have three champions per army. The rest of your military might comprises foot soldiers, cavalry, missile troops, and recon units that you recruit from the various buildings of your city. For some reason, these buildings (barracks, mage's tower, and thieves' guild) are outside of your city, so you must physically move from city to building in order to recruit anyone. Also, you cannot do anything in a city or building without actually being there. Logically, of course, this makes sense, but it is a lot more annoying than HOMM II's "manage from anywhere" system. Besides, one would think that in a city, someone would be available to do mundane managerial work should the need arise.
When you are able to recruit new troops, you can give them an experience boost by stationing a champion in the appropriate building (a veteran warrior in the barracks, for example). This can help improve your new recruits but at the cost of keeping a valuable unit away from the battlefield. The only other way to improve your troops is to use them in combat. This has its drawbacks as well, since it takes a ridiculously long time for your units to recover from battle wounds.
LOM's real-time combat phase takes place from an overhead isometric viewpoint that resembles a mix between Diablo and the Realms of Arkania series. You can either direct your troops manually or use "The Button" to let LOM auto-calculate the results for you. Either way, you're forced to wait while the game first loads up the combat engine, then reloads the main game screen after each battle. Since the auto-calculate feature often achieved far better results than I did, I found myself wishing for the option to choose auto-calculate before all of the loading and reloading took place.
For Windows (32-bit Systems) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections in 'What You Get']
WHAT YOU GET:
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
Ask questions PRIOR to purchasing an order to avoid any confusion.
Be patient if there are problems during installation or gameplay. Typically someone else has
already ran into that problem and has listed a solution online. Contact us and we will do our best to help.
Be sure to update your video card drivers and search for updates to the game from the manufacturer.
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
SHIPPING:
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
