Songs of Steel: Hispania

About

"Songs of Steel: Hispania" is a turn-based strategy game that recreates the conflict between the Roman Republic and the Celtiberian people of Numantia from 153 BC to 133 BC. Players can choose their side and lead their people to victory using classic combat mechanics and decision-making in battles and cinematic sequences. The game features hand-drawn illustrations, challenging environments, and resource management, with every choice made affecting the narrative.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews

story8 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game features a clever turn-based combat system that emphasizes strategic planning and unit placement, making battles engaging and rewarding.
The art style and music are attractive, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game, while the story is well-written and provides a unique historical context.
There is a strong focus on deterministic gameplay, allowing players to predict outcomes based on unit stats and abilities, which adds to the tactical depth.

The game imposes restrictive battle conditions, limiting player freedom in tactical decisions and unit selection, which can be frustrating for those seeking a more open strategy experience.
Some battles are overly scripted, leading to predictable outcomes and reducing the challenge, while certain bugs can disrupt gameplay and require repetition of missions.
The user interface and some gameplay mechanics could use improvement, such as inventory management and visibility of terrain, which can hinder the overall experience.

story
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
75%
7%
The game's story, while sparse, is well-written and effectively supports the gameplay, focusing on historical events in Hispania from both Roman and local perspectives. Players appreciate the engaging narrative and decision-making elements, although some feel that choices have limited impact on the overall story. Overall, the story is described as warm yet serious, with a mix of humor and historical accuracy, making it a compelling aspect of the game despite some critiques regarding its depth and character portrayals.
- “The story follows one of the most interesting campaigns in Hispania (modern-day Spain), from the perspective of the Romans and the locals, being very accurate to historical events.”
- “The story is captivating because it's not limited to just the succession of documented battles.”
- “That being said, this game is more about the story than tactics, and it fulfills its objective well enough to be bought even at full price.”
- “I would caution, though, that thus far in my game, choices in lore sections are not the most impactful, usually getting one of two rewards as opposed to legitimately changing how the story or war unfolds.”
- “Story is serviceable and often amusing, though consuls so far have just been negative caricatures.”
- “The story on the Roman side is the traditional lions led by donkeys while using the major historical events to construct the battle scenarios and major campaign events.”
gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The gameplay is praised for its variety and well-designed mechanics, featuring two campaigns with 32 missions each, interesting unit types, and engaging upgrade systems that allow for tactical specialization. Players appreciate the straightforward mechanics and excellent tutorials that keep the experience fresh and challenging, complemented by distinctive 2D art and animation. However, some users suggest waiting to purchase the game due to its current state, despite its enjoyable and stimulating gameplay.
- “The gameplay is well-designed, with interesting unit variety and systems that are involved but not over-complicated.”
- “The mechanics are straightforward, and the game provides excellent tutorials that introduce new concepts seamlessly.”
- “Gameplay got 2 campaigns and each has 32 missions.”
- “Then the game mechanics introduce some fresh air in the genre.”
- “As you progress, the game introduces more unit types and increasingly challenging scenarios, ensuring that the gameplay remains fresh and stimulating.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics are generally well-received, with users appreciating the distinctive art style and cool visuals, although some note evidence of resource limitations leading to sparse terrain and textures. The effective use of distinct terrain hexagons aids in navigation, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While the visuals may not be as rich as other aspects of the game, they complement the fun and tactical elements effectively.
- “The graphics and music get the attention; they are cool.”
- “I love the distinctive art style and the music, but for me the best part is that the game actually manages to be fun and has a nice tactical gameplay while also being 'deterministic' without percentages to hit attacks or stuff like that.”
- “Visuals show plenty of evidence of resource limitations, but the art style is effective if a bit spare, and the distinct terrain hexagons make it easy to keep track of elevation and terrain type.”
- “Visuals show plenty of evidence of resource limitations, but the art style is effective if a bit spare, and the distinct terrain hexagons make it easy to keep track of elevation and terrain type.”
- “Visuals show plenty of evidence of resource limitations, but the art style is effective if a bit spare, and the distinct terrain hexagons make it easy to keep track of elevation and terrain type.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The music in "Songs of Steel: Hispania" has received high praise for its quality and contribution to the game's overall atmosphere, complementing the beautiful 2D art and animations. Players find the soundtrack engaging and fitting, enhancing the cozy yet strategic gameplay experience. Overall, the music stands out as a significant aspect that adds to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The graphics and music get the attention; they are cool.”
- “I love the distinctive art style and the music, but for me the best part is that the game actually manages to be fun and has a nice tactical gameplay while also being 'deterministic' without percentages to hit attacks or stuff like that.”
- “With 27 hours into Songs of Steel: Hispania, as a beta tester and now playing the finished product, I find it to be a cozy yet engaging game, with beautiful 2D art and animations.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
While the handcrafted maps may limit overall replayability, players appreciate the depth added by decision-making that influences historical outcomes, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.
- “The maps are handcrafted, so the game lacks some replayability, but I think handcrafted maps are more interesting than random maps.”
- “Your decisions can influence the outcome of these historical events, adding a layer of depth and replayability to the game.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its standout 2D art and animation, which draw comparisons to the style of The Banner Saga, creating a unique and immersive visual experience.
- “The 2D art and animation are standout features, reminiscent of The Banner Saga, with a distinct style that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”