At first glance, Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc might seem like just another hack-and-slash game. And to some extent, it is. But the game also features different gameplay modes, including a sort of RTS element. Despite its outdated graphics, it has an incredible atmosphere. The soundtrack plays a huge role in immersing you in its world the music is truly beautiful. Many people have probably never even heard of this game, but it’s one of my all-time favorites. In fact, it was this game that sparked my deep interest in history, especially the Hundred Years' War.
The game includes character progression, skill upgrades, and even some armor, though not much. You can find unique weapons and even upgrade them, though I don’t quite remember how… maybe with gemstones or crosses? Besides leveling up Joan of Arc, you also need to manage other characters, like Jean de Metz and La Hire.
Funny enough, before playing the game, I had already seen Luc Besson’s The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Then, after playing Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc, I rewatched the movie and realized how much the game had borrowed from it.
One of the best parts of the game is the castle sieges. Well, "best" by 2004 standards, keep that in mind. But with a little imagination, you can really feel like you’re in medieval France. The game is available on Steam, but I really wish it were on GOG as a DRM-free title. Again, it's not a well-known game, but I still hope that one day it will be added to the GOG library.