Ravenmark: Scourge of Estellion

Ravenmark: Scourge of Estellion is a turn-based strategy title from Singaporean developer Witching Hour Studios. It launched for iOS on November 11, 2011, using a top-down isometric perspective and hand-painted 2D maps. The game takes place in the world of Eclisse and now includes four full mission campaigns, plus a prelude campaign available through a free app. On Metacritic, it holds an average score of 85 out of 100.

The story centers on the Empire of Estellion after the death of its beloved Emperor, Sergius Corvius. Internal power struggles erupt into chaos when vengeful mystics from Kaysan invade Estellion and its neighbors. Players experience the conflict through different campaigns, each following a commander from a different nation. The Estellion campaigns follow the bookish Calius Septim and his mentor, General Vidius Harper, while the Kaysani campaign focuses on the scheming Alejo de Porres.

In gameplay, players issue commands to units on a grid to complete mission objectives, usually by defeating the enemy. Commanders, who are often the main characters, attach to units and grant special attacks, auras, or healing spells. Strategic movement is key, and players can combine similar units into formations for bonus effects. Unlike typical strategy RPGs such as Fire Emblem or Super Robot Wars, units and heroes do not gain experience points or level up. The plot unfolds through scripted cutscenes and dialogue.

Each turn splits into two phases. During the Command Phase, players spend up to six command points. If controlling multiple factions, they get six more points per faction. After issuing orders, the Battle Phase begins, where all units and formations execute their moves. The order of movement depends on each unit’s initiative value; higher initiative means earlier action. Faster units like cavalry move first, with a tiebreaker roll deciding ties. Once all units have acted, the turn ends and a new Command Phase starts.

Units are called Elements and fall into five types: infantry, ranged, cavalry, polearms, and support. Each type has a damage advantage over another: infantry beats polearms, polearms beat cavalry, cavalry beats ranged, and ranged beats infantry. Support elements are neutral to all. Some units, like mounted archers, count as ranged rather than cavalry.