Underplayed Gems

Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (1995)

Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat cover
Developer
Mindscape
Publisher
Mindscape, Games Workshop, SSI, GOG.com
Platforms
PlayStation
Genres
Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Rating
3.5 of 5, 7 player ratings

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The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A deliberate, numbers-heavy battlefield command experience where careful troop positioning and micromanagement feel more like stern military obligation than thrilling spectacle.

tacticalmethodicalcomplexslow-paceddemandinggrittydrycerebral

About

Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat offers over 25 different troop types, 20 spells and nine characteristics for each regiment: movement, weapon skill, ballistic skill, strength, toughness, wounds, initiative, attack and leadership ability. In order to save campaign progress, players must have a memory card with at least one block free. Battles consist of two phases: deployment and real-time fighting. Deployment allows you to position your regiments within an area designated by white flags. This involves turning them to face certain enemies, issuing orders to attack, move (including setting waypoints and patrol loops) or simply hold ground. Combat involves charging the enemy, using magical spells (if available) or firing long-range weapons, such as arrows or catapults. Of course, line of sight and terrain will influence how successful your attacks are, and the emotion level (fear, hatred or frenzy) as well as the experience of your troops will also play a significant role. Each battlefield can also hold various magic items that may help in future battles.

Screenshots

Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat screenshot 1Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat screenshot 2Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat screenshot 3

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More by Mindscape

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.