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Banditry is widespread, and there are demon-worshipping cults operating in the shadows.

During a hands-on preview build ofCrown Wars,I got to try Artefacts Studios upcoming historical outing for myself.

A solvier in yellow and red livery readies a strike against a foe

You do this with turn-based battles that take place on a grid.

Rinse and repeat until you achieve the objective or die trying.

Artefacts upcoming tactical outing does more than simply ape theXCOM 2formula, though.

An archer readies a shot from behind cover

Melee opponents make attacks of opportunity, punishing you for leaving close quarters.

Securing your domain

Crown Warsis more than just a squad tactics game.

Like dark fantasy rogueliteDarkest Dungeon, there are various facilities that your castle offers.

A fortified castle on a hill, your domain in Crown Wars

Though essentially little more than a menu screen.

In an era centuries before mass transit, logistics becomes an issue, too.

Planning these excursions adds another element of decision-making, making for a delightful layer of additional complications.

The party menu in Crown Wars: The Black Prince

First off is the voice acting.

Should the rest of the campaign have acting this dicey, it could spell trouble.

The user interface (UI) can be clunky at times, too.

An occult ritual from the opening of Crown Wars: The Black Prince

That said, the games March 7 release is still a reasonable way away.

That means theres still time for Artefacts to address these problems before the games release.

Whats more, the foundations ofCrown Warshave plenty of promise.