First look: Battle Mages

Russian publisher Buka Entertainment has released the first information on Battle Mages for the PC. The game, which is currently in development at Targem, will combine both real-time strategy and role-playing elements and is set in a fantasy world inhabited by humans, dwarves, elves, and the like.

Players will assume control of a graduate of the Imperial Battle Mage School, and, along with their troops, they must attempt to restore peace to the fantasy world by any means necessary. Gameplay details are scarce at present, but information on Buka Entertainment's official Web site suggests that the game will be anything but linear, and that as players progress it'll be up to them to decide how their characters develop--whether it be as powerful magicians or a great army commanders.

It was recently confirmed that localized versions of Battle Mages will be released in France, Benelux, Switzerland, Spain, and Latin America before the end of the year. Release dates for North America and the UK have not been confirmed at this time, but we'll bring you more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.