Warlords III: Darklords Rising is a sequel spawned by fan feedback of the previous title, Warlords III: Reign of Heroes. For fans of the Warlords series, this current entry in the strategy/combat genre will seem familiar although filled with a myriad of new features, improved AI, enhanced game play and three new victory conditions. The game now comes with a Game Editor and Campaign Editor along with new hero types, skills and abilities, spells, sites, more random map control, nine new game types, new scenarios and campaigns, terrain types, and three levels of difficulty in the new campaigns.
Warlords III: Darklords Rising is a turn-based game of conquest and diplomacy set in the fantasy world of Etheria. You play the part as one of eight possible warlords who seeks world domination by creating large armies that attack, destroy and plunder cities, searching out and mastering powerful magical artifacts, developing diplomatic techniques, managing resources, learning new spells and accepting mini-quests that lead to more power and gold for the betterment of your kingdom.
The interface is mouse controlled in conjunction with a series of menus (palettes) with most actions having keyboard equivalents. Warlords III: Darklords Rising provides full support for up to eight players over an IPX LAN, up to four players over the internet (requires TCP/IP connection) and head-to-head by over two computers via either a serial connection or modem.