Field of Glory II: Medieval - Storm of Arrows is a turn-based strategy simulation game focused on medieval European warfare from the late thirteenth to mid-fifteenth centuries. It emphasizes the shift from knight-dominated battles to combined arms tactics involving longbowmen, spearmen, and dismounted men-at-arms, particularly during the Hundred Years War and related conflicts across Western and Eastern Europe.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on commanding detailed armies in large-scale tactical battles where positioning, unit cohesion, and terrain play decisive roles. Players manage formations of infantry, cavalry, and missile troops, with mechanics that reflect historical realities such as the vulnerability of mounted knights to arrow storms and the effectiveness of steady foot soldiers in defensive stands. Each unit type carries specific attributes for movement, combat effectiveness, and morale, allowing for realistic outcomes based on historical matchups rather than abstract point values alone.
Army composition draws from extensive lists tied to specific factions and time periods, incorporating allies and regional variations. This setup encourages experimentation with different combinations while maintaining grounding in documented military practices of the era, including the introduction of early gunpowder artillery for sieges and occasional field use. Battles unfold on maps that represent key engagements, with outcomes influenced by command decisions, flanking maneuvers, and the gradual erosion of enemy morale.
Game Modes
Quick Battle provides immediate access to hundreds of matchups drawn from the expanded roster, playable from either side with options for historical or randomized forces. Historical scenarios recreate eight major engagements on a grand scale, including Courtrai, Laupen, Crécy, Kulikovo, Aljubarrota, Castagnaro, Grunwald, and Agincourt, each with tailored objectives and starting conditions.
Campaign play includes five dedicated historical paths centered on leaders and conflicts such as the Hundred Years War from both English and French perspectives, along with campaigns following figures like Sir John Hawkwood, Henry of Trastámara, and Władysław II Jagiełło. The sandbox campaign mode supports any combination of the available nations and their allies, generating thousands of unique matchups across the full timeline. Time Warp modules extend replayability by integrating new army lists into varied battle generators.
Historical Armies and Factions
The expansion covers dozens of factions spanning Anglo-Irish, Aragonese, Austrian, various Berber groups, Bohemian, Breton, Burgundian, Castilian, Danish, English, Florentine, Free Canton, Free Company, French, multiple German types, Granadine, Hungarian, Irish, Italian Guelf and Ghibelline, Lithuanian, Low Countries, Milanese, Navarrese, Neapolitan, Papal, Polish, Portuguese, Rus, Scots, Swedish, Swiss, Tatar, Teutonic Order, Venetian, and Welsh forces. Each maintains distinct banner designs and historically appropriate unit rosters that evolve across the covered dates.
Forty-five new unit models join the roster, representing the period's distinctive troop types such as massed longbowmen, condottieri cavalry, and early artillery pieces. These additions integrate with prior content to reach a total of 242 army lists, supporting extensive customization through allied contingents and date-specific variations.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who value detailed historical simulation in a turn-based format over fast-paced action or simplified mechanics. The depth of army variety and scenario options provides substantial replay value for those interested in medieval military history, particularly the tactical evolution during the Hundred Years War and parallel conflicts in Italy, Spain, and Eastern Europe. Multiplayer support through an integrated play-by-email system extends engagement beyond single-player campaigns. Reception highlights the clean tactical system and accurate representation of period warfare, making it a strong choice for dedicated wargame enthusiasts seeking authentic matchups rather than broad accessibility features.
