Having finally wrenched my laptop from son #2 I’ve been rediscovering the joys of Total War. It may seem a bit “ clunky” now but for its time, it was brilliant. Twenty years ago, I thought miniatures would be seen off by technology and now it’s worse…..Strategos the computer game is due for release.

Well my immediate impression was that Creative Assembly would be filing law suits as I type. The units look like Total War and the controls bear a striking similarity? But, and it’s a big but, if one looks closely at the units, they are digital versions of digital miniatures 3d prints.

When you watch Total War you can see how the designers have incorporated ever more detail- stamping horses, warriors limbering up and ( perhaps too much?) splattering blood and gore. Strategos lifts miniatures into the digital age and beyond.

Over a hundred and fifty armies are available in the early versions already: with around two hundred and fifty units. Could the miniature painter ever keep up?

Available for pre- release on Steam, Strategos lifts the gaming experience into something much more akin to the tabletop. One novel feature is that the Total War omnipresent and omnipotent general is dispensed with. Rather, in Strategos, the general has a command radius where troops act as desired but beyond that, it is more uncertain and couriers must be sent.

I must admit to being very impressed with this game. Will I be immediately selling my miniature armies? No not likely but I can see my painting time having a real rival.