Yes, it is impossible to escape the gauntleted grasp of the Total War franchise when writing about an RTS with a mediæval setting, but History Great Battles Medieval steps centuries forward after its previous sojourn in Rome onto that very era of combat and proves itself robust enough to withstand the onslaught – and a damn sight more limber than its lumbering title would indicate. The ‘History’ part is because of the History Channel association, one that provides the game with stylish live action intros to the major battles. 

Notwithstanding a few niggles, History Great Battles Medieval is satisfying enough, cleverly adding elements like unlocked ‘Battle Cards’, such as ‘Bad Omen’ and ‘Rally’ (this last when one of your units goes all lily-livered and decides to flee the battlefield, the former serving to weaken an enemy unit’s resolve). The constant levelling up of individual units with weaponry, offensive and defensive skills and increasingly powerful armour provides a crucial sense of forward momentum. Add to this customised insignia and livery for the mounted knights, bowmen, men at arms and light infantry, helping to distinguish them on the battlefield, and you’ll most likely be compelled to see this RTS outing through to the bloody end. 

The revealing of new chall­enges as you progress is another plus point, from lifting a siege, raiding the enemy, a tournament battle, assassinating a noble or defending a village redoubt, to momentous historical battles. Even played on the ‘Easy’ setting (the highest is ‘Insane’) some of these challenges take more than a decent chunk of grey matter to overcome. The environments might not have the Technicolor lushness of Lionheart: King’s Crusade, but the ability to scroll down right into the midst of the savage fray in-game adds to the immersion. Programming units’ strategy before battle as well as being able to pause in the middle of it and redirect their objectives makes perfect gaming sense. 

Recently, I’ve found few moments more satisfying in a game than countering a barr­age of enemy crossbowmen by aiming scores of long distance longbowmen arrows down upon them then watching the buggers scatter like startled mice. As Crécy and Agincourt proved, those English longbowmen can pwn just about everything if you use them wisely. The same goes for units’ three essential modes of attack: Passive, Reactive and Aggressive. Like the use of one of your pre-chosen Battle Cards, a switch in the midst of the melée might just turn the tide of the battle in your favour. There are three major campaigns: English, French and The Tale of the Honour­able Knight; with a free-form quest map allowing you to decide when and where to fight within a historical framework. An online multiplayer mode is chucked in for good measure.

History Great Battles Medieval sticks to RTS basics with a few welcome frills that serve only to enhance the gaming experience. It all adds up to a mediæval RTS as solid as Sir Robert Bramborough’s heavy infantry, wielding war­hammers and enormous shields as they wade into the enemy spearmen.