Battle for Wesnoth

About

Battle for Wesnoth is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Wesnoth and was released on May 1, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

The Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based strategy game with a high fantasy theme, offering over 200 scenarios in 16 campaigns and 50 multiplayer maps. Players build and train an army, choosing from over 200 unit types across six factions, each with unique abilities and weapons. With a large community of developers, additional campaigns, maps, and content are constantly being added.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,020 reviews

gameplay122 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

Deep strategic gameplay with a variety of units and factions, allowing for complex tactics.
Completely free and open-source, with a dedicated community that continuously adds content and updates.
Engaging campaigns and user-generated content provide endless replayability.

The RNG can be frustrating, often leading to unexpected misses on high probability attacks.
Some campaigns can feel unbalanced, requiring save-scumming to progress effectively.
Graphics may feel dated, which could deter some players from fully enjoying the experience.

gameplay
386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
66%
2%
The gameplay of "Battle for Wesnoth" is characterized by its simple yet deep mechanics, allowing for strategic depth and a variety of tactical options. Players appreciate the engaging turn-based combat, diverse units, and the ability to customize experiences through extensive modding and community content. However, the reliance on RNG mechanics can lead to frustrating moments, as hit chances are often unpredictable, which some players find detracts from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is easy to learn while still having enough going on to allow for strategic depth, with difficulty settings so you can decide whether you want a more casual or challenging strategy experience.”
- “Wesnoth is, quite simply, one of the best turn-based strategy games out there - the perfect balance of simple mechanics that are easy to learn and yet make every strategic decision new and interesting.”
- “The gameplay is simple, yet inviting.”
- “I would say the game's major downfall is its over-reliance on RNG mechanics (hit chances are fully dependent on probability) and while there is a new mode that seems to make the RNG more reliable, it is still reliant on this RNG mechanic.”
- “The main things I don't like are the arbitrary turn limits on each map, and how extremely RNG heavy the gameplay is.”
- “The one thing that sticks out like a sore thumb and ruins the RTS feel of the game is the RNG miss mechanic.”
story
324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
61%
2%
The story aspect of the game is highly praised for its depth and engaging narratives across various campaigns, with many players appreciating the rich lore and character development. While some campaigns are noted for their simplicity or predictability, the overall storytelling is described as heartfelt and immersive, often enhanced by charming pixel art and strategic gameplay elements. The community's contributions further enrich the game's narrative landscape, offering a wealth of user-generated content that keeps the experience fresh and engaging.
- “The charming pixel art and engaging storylines have kept me coming back for years.”
- “Very well structured game with heartfelt and rich storytelling for all the campaigns.”
- “The campaigns are deep, with layered storylines and force you to make choices that drastically alter how each campaign plays out.”
- “The storytelling is basic, but does what it needs to do, and occasionally will catch you off guard with a detail or little development that didn't have to be there, but just adds some depth to the story.”
- “Unfortunately, most of the harder campaigns on expert are something like 'your enemies have three times more units than you, your units are all countered by theirs, the terrain is bad for you...' and if you lose your loyal units, you are screwed for the campaign.”
- “Just be warned, not all the storylines are made equal.”
graphics
227 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
52%
5%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming old-school pixel art style that, while simple and sometimes dated, effectively supports the gameplay and narrative. Many players appreciate the artistic design and the nostalgic aesthetic, noting that the visuals enhance the overall experience despite not being cutting-edge. Overall, the graphics are functional and appealing for fans of retro-style games, contributing positively to the game's strategic depth and immersive storytelling.
- “Incredible music and amazing visuals.”
- “The art style and game design is elegant and polished, having been honed over the years by a passionate dev team.”
- “The graphics are the nice sophisticated pixel art type that you don't see much of anymore.”
- “The visuals hurt my eyes.”
- “What a game, the graphics are from 1986. The developer must be a child or something because only a child would build this type of style bad game. The units are pretty bad, worst pixelated graphics I've seen since the era of WC1, even worse I might say. The strategic gameplay makes no sense at all and it's so confusing as well as bugged. No animations in the game, everything is static. I'd rather draw a simple game and play it on pen & paper at home than try to at least beat the tutorial. Oh yes, the tutorial is the worst thing about this game, and the even worse is the very bad mods which are not updated at all and remain at version 0.0.4. What can I say, just do yourself a favor, dev, delete this to make the world a better place!”
- “The graphics are a little dated and some may find the 'story' campaigns lacking in content, but the fun and depth of gameplay more than make up for it.”
music
163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many players noting its orchestral and epic themes that fit the high fantasy setting. While some find the soundtrack occasionally repetitive, it remains a standout feature, often described as iconic and memorable, with many players enjoying it even outside of gameplay. Overall, the combination of engaging music and charming visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a beloved title among fans.
- “The soundtrack complements the fantasy setting, featuring orchestral scores that enhance the immersive experience.”
- “The music is phenomenal, the visuals are striking yet simple, and the gameplay is varied enough to not get monotonous.”
- “The music is really nice, works very well in the epic, high fantasy theme.”
- “The campaign stories are boring, the music is mediocre and looped to hell.”
- “The minute that 1000 decibel menu music hits, you start frantically looking for sound settings before you lose some hearing.”
- “The music and the sounds are pretty average to be honest but they are not bad.”
replayability
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
43%
5%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by deep strategic gameplay, a wealth of community-created content, and diverse campaign options. Players appreciate the endless variety of scenarios, characters, and challenges, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned strategists. Despite some minor repetitiveness, the overall consensus highlights its legendary replay value, supported by an active community and continuous updates.
- “Deep, strategic gameplay with a surprising amount of replayability.”
- “It has a great replayability just from the base game, and its community, with add-ons, has improved it to the point where, at least personally, I could play it for my whole life.”
- “The extraordinary variety of user-made content eclipses that of most other modable games; downloadable game music, thousands of optional units to download at will, expansive multiplayer co-op campaigns, and an overwhelming amount of player-created multiplayer maps and game modes makes this a game with nigh unlimited replayability.”
- “I wouldn't say that mods give 'infinite replay value' though, you will find yourself trying new races, playing colosseum, and some other small tweaks once in a while.”
- “I disagree with the devs' claim that it adds excitement and replayability; you cannot construe the RNG as an upside, but easily as a permissible downside.”
- “The default campaigns are not many but the replayability is big with different difficulties available, adding to that I haven’t played through all campaigns myself so it’s still like Christmas every time I pick up a new one, because they’re so fun and immersive.”
monetization
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
58%
14%
The game is praised for its completely free model, with no microtransactions, ads, or pay-to-win elements, making it a refreshing alternative to many modern titles. Players appreciate the absence of intrusive monetization strategies, highlighting the game's commitment to providing a genuine gaming experience without financial barriers. Overall, it is celebrated as a fully free and open-source game that stands out in a landscape often dominated by monetization gimmicks.
- “And it's truly free: no microtransactions, no pay-to-win.”
- “This game is completely free, as in there are no in-app purchases, no gimmicks requiring payment, and can be played from start to finish 100% free, including all the modded content.”
- “No ads, no microtransactions, pure 'fans to fans for fun' scheme.”
- “I keep waiting for some kind of interruption of the game by advertisements or something asking for donations.”
- “This is a 100% free game with no microtransactions or any cash grabbing techniques.”
- “Yes, 'free' means free; there's no microtransactions, loot boxes, store, etc.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
13%
73%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment to progress. Players find the combat system clunky and slow, with many expressing frustration over the need to manage multiple units and the limitations imposed by turn-based mechanics. While some enjoy the challenge and narrative progression, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a burdensome experience that detracts from enjoyment.
- “Can get quite grindy.”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “Every MMO ever type of grindy.”
- “One, the gameplay gets very repetitive and the fighting involves a lot of grinding.”
- “It's fun for a bit, but can get tedious even with all the world building it has going for it.”
- “Actually getting them promoted and then having them survive over multiple missions, however, is an exercise in tedious masochism because of the nature of combat.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming pixel art, immersive music, and a nostalgic "old-school" vibe that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the game's depth and magical setting, which captivates players and keeps them engaged throughout the campaigns. Despite a lack of flashy graphics, the stylish artwork and superb atmosphere contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout title in its genre.
- “The pixel art is charming, the music is surprisingly atmospheric, and the overall vibe is very 'old-school but still alive.' It’s clearly a passion project that’s been polished for years.”
- “Nothing on the market even approaches the level of quality, depth, and atmosphere that Wesnoth has managed to build over the years, and it is completely free.”
- “However, the atmosphere of this game will make you fall in love with it.”
- “Secondly, the depth of campaigns and their magical atmosphere makes it so that when you play a game, you are interested in progression through the campaign mostly because you are curious about what's going to happen next.”
- “I really like the mood and atmosphere it creates; this is a world and setting you can really get immersed in.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, often eliciting laughter through its quirky campaigns and unexpected surprises, particularly in multiplayer modes. Players find joy in the absurdity of certain strategies and the randomness of outcomes, which can lead to both hilarious and frustrating moments. Overall, the game offers a blend of classic fantasy humor and engaging gameplay that keeps players entertained, especially when enjoyed with friends.
- “An excellent point and click adventure that is hilarious and rageful at times when dealing with the RNG.”
- “Throwing countless footpads at an enemy general with the express purpose of just whittling them down through attrition alone is a hilarious feeling and is a very valid way to play the game.”
- “To be honest, if you are no strangers to pain, I recommend you the ROTN as your first, maybe second campaign; it will show you how awesome World of Wesnoth can really be, how unfair, but rewarding, how brutal yet sometimes funny and kind, no spoilers.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The game's optimization features a variety of factions, a dynamic day cycle affecting performance, and random traits for unit diversity, enhancing strategic gameplay. However, players have reported moderate performance issues, including lag and stuttering, which detract from the overall experience but do not overshadow the game's achievements.
- “Variety of factions, a day cycle that affects alignments' performance, random traits per unit allowing diversity of the pieces in play, and the possibility to reuse ranked units along a campaign to boost your armies all contribute to a highly optimized experience.”
- “The only thing holding back the current version are some moderate performance hiccups, but this should in no way stop you from downloading and enjoying one of the greatest achievements of PC gaming and the open-source community.”
- “The campaigns are built around this level of optimization.”
- “Wtf was anyone thinking making this stuttering game.”
- “I've also seen some minor lag and stuttering with the music and game.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most users reporting smooth performance on modern hardware and Linux. While some minor bugs exist, particularly in bot interactions, they are manageable and do not significantly detract from the experience. Many players find the game polished and enjoyable, especially after recent updates.
- “Runs great on modern hardware.”
- “I have only gone through the tutorials and the first campaign in the easier mode, but I had fun and experienced no glitches.”
- “So the good news is that thanks to years of updates, the game is mostly bug-free and very polished.”
- “A little buggy at times, but otherwise very excellent.”
- “I like the game, but it's kind of buggy sometimes, specifically against bots. However, you can change their hit percentages and stuff, so it's not so bad.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development is praised for its depth, particularly in unit experience and skill learning, especially within addon campaigns that introduce new units and rules. While the character design is described as beautiful and nostalgic, there is a noted inconsistency between the modern character portraits and the pixel art style. Overall, players find the character development engaging and integral to the gaming experience.
- “Great character development in regards to unit experience.”
- “The real fun starts when you get into the addon campaigns, with entirely different sets of units, enemies, rules, character development (e.g., learning skills), equipping items... some of my favorites were Legend of the Invincibles and World Conquest.”
- “Old school, beautiful character design, infinite modding and campaigns, and some of the best hours you can spend using your head while gaming.”
- “However, I will say the modern character portraits don't match the pixel art at all in terms of style and character design, but it's just something you get used to.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its heartfelt and well-structured storytelling across all campaigns, evoking strong emotional responses from players. Reviewers express a deep connection to the narrative, with one noting it inspired a sense of personal talent and reflection on life choices.
- “Very well structured game with heartfelt and rich storytelling for all the campaigns.”
- “10/10 made me feel like I have some talent in life.”