Play Realms Online

Realms is a real-time strategy game released in 1992 for MS-DOS. Developed by Graftgold Ltd. and published by Virgin Games, Inc., it is set in a fantasy world where players manage a kingdom and command armies across a large, procedurally generated landscape.

The player controls one of six fantasy races, each with distinct attributes and military preferences, such as dwarves favoring axes or elves excelling as archers. The core objective is to expand one's kingdom by conquering all rival cities on the map. Gameplay involves managing cities by taxing populations, securing food supplies, constructing defenses, and cultivating land to support growth. From these cities, players can raise and maintain armies of infantry or cavalry, whose quality and equipment depend on the city's development. These armies require regular payment, funded through taxation or pillaging, to maintain morale and prevent desertion.

Progression occurs through a series of missions, beginning with a training scenario that introduces economic and military systems. The game unfolds on a three-dimensional world map featuring varied terrain, where armies move in real time. Players monitor events like famines, diseases, and sieges through a message system and direct their forces using mouse or keyboard controls. Capturing enemy cities involves laying siege and engaging in tactical battles where army formations can be arranged and units like archers can attack from a distance. Once a city is conquered, players can choose to sack, destroy, or occupy it, with the latter option allowing recruitment of that city's race for specialized armies. The game supports saving progress, as completing a full mission can span several hours.