[moodgiesanta]

This thread may seem to some to be pandering of some sort or gushing, but I really am serious when I say this. How did you people (the folks at Illwinter) pull this game off? I'm stunned by it, now that I'm really getting into it. Each race has their own intricacies, and the game is actually genuinely different depending on which race you choose, rather than each race being some manner of variation off of the same basic theme. A few games have achieved that, but none with the complexity of this one and none even approaching 17 races.

Another thing that baffles me, is how is everything so balanced? Unlike every other strategy game I've played (and admittedly I haven't played the hardcore wargames, mostly just turn-based games ala Master of Magic), every strategy has a counter, and it really is your execution of the strategy rather than the strategy all by itself that wins.

Honestly, I don't want to overstate things or sound like a fanboy. I am giving my honest opinion here. I think the game is the second best I've ever played, next to Zangband which holds a special place in my heart. Anyhow, I'd thought I'd see if anyone else has the same reaction to this game that I have had.