Strategy

Chronicles of Conquest

👤 Reviewed by Marcus Webb 📅 20 Apr 2025 🕐 16 min read 🇦🇺 Australian Edition
9.5
Masterpiece
out of 10
★★★★★
Game of the Year Contender
Chronicles of Conquest RTS gameplay

Chronicles of Conquest is a generational achievement in real-time strategy gaming. It takes the foundational pillars of the genre — base building, resource management, unit command — and elevates each one to a level of sophistication that will define the RTS landscape for years to come.

Scale & Scope

The maps are enormous. Battles can involve thousands of units simultaneously, yet the game never loses clarity. Unit groupings, formation commands, and the excellent minimap system ensure that even the most chaotic engagements remain readable and manageable. The five distinct factions each have unique unit rosters, building trees, and playstyles that demand genuinely different strategic approaches.

Campaign & Skirmish

The 30-mission campaign is a masterclass in escalating complexity. Early missions teach fundamentals through carefully constructed scenarios; later missions throw you into multi-front wars that test every skill simultaneously. The skirmish mode against AI opponents of varying difficulty provides near-infinite replayability for solo players.

Competitive & Esports

The competitive multiplayer is where Chronicles of Conquest truly shines for the Australian esports community. The ranked 1v1 and 2v2 ladders are well-populated on ANZ servers, and the spectator mode is broadcast-ready. The game's developer has partnered with ESL Australia to host a national championship series beginning in September 2025, with events planned in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Pros

  • Extraordinary strategic depth
  • Five highly distinct factions
  • Excellent campaign design
  • Broadcast-ready spectator mode
  • Strong ANZ competitive scene

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for newcomers
  • Occasional late-game slowdown on older hardware

Verdict

Chronicles of Conquest is the best real-time strategy game released in over a decade. Its depth, scale, and competitive infrastructure make it essential for any strategy enthusiast, and its growing Australian esports scene gives it long-term relevance beyond the single-player experience. A near-flawless achievement.

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