Battle Mages follows in the footsteps of a tried and tested tradition, cautiously probing new territories, but by-and-large treading a well-worn path. The game, however, is no anonymous face in a time-honoured genre; incorporating role-playing elements into the otherwise predictable play style propels Battle Mages beyond the benchmark. The developers have included a fully loaded character development system, adding depth to the standard top-down play style RTS aficionados will no-doubt be accustomed to. No longer do you feel inclined to send wave after wave of loyal troopers to an unfortunately messy demise; a wise strategist will garner the most vital of battlefield commodities: experience. As a platoon’s combat experience clocks up, attack damage, hit points, armour, and weaponry are upgraded, granting them a critical edge in tougher battles. Each group also has a rack of 12 inventory slots to be filled with items both plundered and purchased, further strengthening their fighting force.