While most players rightfully think of the United States and Japan as the big hitters when it comes to video games production, an area of the world that is playing an increasing role in the medium is that of the former USSR. With the break up of the Soviet bloc and the advent of free enterprise in the nations that comprised it, developers and publishers in that region have had the opportunity to break into the lucrative western market, with a few scoring some critically acclaimed and commercially successful hits.

One of the biggest publishers in the region is Buka Entertainment, and it, along with Russian developer Targem, are currently striving to bring us a stand-alone expansion to Battle Mages, a fantasy role-playing and real-time strategy hybrid released last year. Dubbed Sign of Darkness, the add-on once again puts the player in the robes and pointy hat of a graduate of the Imperial Battle Mage School. As such, you will be tasked with restoring order to Daenmor, a world besieged by the underhanded machinations of the traditional evil-doers within a classic fantasy setting, namely Orcs and the Undead. So far, so commonplace, however where Sign of Darkness distinguishes itself from other games of its ilk is in its implementation of interdependency between troops and commander, which can make or break your efforts on the battlefield.