Water Margin: Rise of the Outlaws

Turn-based tactics

Water Margin: Rise of the Outlaws is a PC turn-based tactics game based on the Water Margin novel. You lead outlaw heroes through battles on an isometric square grid, where troop types and terrain shape each fight. Cavalry, shield infantry, spearmen and archers counter one another; reeds, thorns, fire, rocks, water, high ground and pit traps also affect combat.

Before committing to an attack, you can see how many troops it will cost the enemy. Each hero has three techniques, including a signature move drawn from a famous scene in the novel. Lin Chong uses the Serpent Spear, Wu Song recalls killing the tiger on Jingyang Ridge, and Lu Zhishen uproots the willow. Signature moves play brief ink-wash cut-ins with calligraphy and a red seal.