Strategy & Tactics: Dark Ages

Strategy & Tactics: Dark Ages

Released Aug 2017

Dark Ages is a tactical digital board game set in the violent world of alternate Middle Ages. Vikings against war elephants, musketeers against the Mongol cavalry, ancient phalanx legions against crusaders; the deadliest armies in history clashing in bloody war.

58% positive · 194 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

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Evaluation

Strategy & Tactics: Dark Ages launched into full release on August 4, 2017, after approximately nine months in Early Access. Following launch, the developer shipped one post-release content update on October 14, 2017, adding a new map, two new Horde scenarios, and various improvements. That October 2017 post is the last substantive communication about this game's own content. Since October 2017, the developer's news posts on this game's Steam page have been entirely promotional announcements for other HeroCraft titles — Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf, Anvil Saga, Revival: Recolonization, Union of Gnomes: Prologue, and Union of Gnomes itself. None of these posts indicate any new content planned for Dark Ages. The most recent post, from May 29, 2025, is a publisher-wide sale announcement and mentions Dark Ages only as a discounted title. There are no unreleased DLC listings, no announced roadmap for future content, and no developer statement about ongoing development for this game. The last actual content update was on October 14, 2017 — nearly nine years ago. The game launched as a complete product and received one post-launch content drop, after which all development activity ceased. The game is complete.
Evidence
Post-launch update added a new Horde map, two new scenarios, UI improvements, and bug fixes. This is the last content update for Dark Ages.
news post · Oct 14, 2017 source content shipped
high
Developer announced full release after nine months in Early Access, thanking players for feedback and support.
news post · Aug 4, 2017 source content shipped
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
HeroLabs
Achievements
56
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player

About this game



Tactical digital board game in the world of Dark Ages!

Features

  • Six factions with unique generals and squads: the nimble nomads of the Horde, the well-armored and disciplined Imperial soldiers, the mad Normanna clad in furs, the League’s guilds wielding gunpowder, the proud knights of the Order, and the exotic cults of the Mesopotamia.
  • Over 50 types of squads based on real historical troops. No armored bikinis or spiked pauldrons here!
  • By surviving battles, your squads gain experience and develop their skills. Fresh recruits have nothing on a seasoned veteran.
  • Generals are the linchpin of a squad, and their skills and abilities can drastically change the outcome of a battle. Each general has a unique personality generated at the beginning of each game. Each has their own appearance, character traits, and abilities. It's impossible to predict who will appear the next go ‘round: a brave but simple knight, a talented but greedy tactical genius, or a bloodthirsty barbarian who instills fear in friend and foe alike.
  • A pantheon of chosen generals: put your greatest leaders here to re-use them from campaign to campaign, or hire legendary figures feared and revered throughout history, such as Joan of Arc and Genghis Khan.
  • The numerous scenarios offer a huge variety of different challenges: win a civil war, fight off nomads, deal with pirates raiding the coast, save a kingdom ravaged by plague, or crush a peasant uprising.
  • Battle formations: effective positioning of your troops is half the battle. Tactical tricks, feints, and ambushes are at your disposal. Win your battles through quality, not quantity.
  • Terrain and weather: even the perfect army may lose in unfavorable conditions. It’s generally a good idea to lure enemy cavalry into a bog, under your arrows – but remember that rain and fog make your archers useless.
  • Upgrade your soldiers’ weapons and armor at the royal forge.

Dark Ages is a turn-based strategy game set in the violent world of an alternate Middle Ages. Vikings against war elephants, musketeers against the Mongol cavalry, ancient phalanx legions against crusaders; the deadliest armies in history clashing in bloody war.
An army without leadership is merely a mob. In Dark Ages, troops follow the lead of their commanders: unique leaders with their own virtues, vices, talents, and weaknesses.
Take the throne of a small kingdom being torn apart by feuds and threatened by militant neighbors, and try to survive the Dark Ages.
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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