Impressions Games' 1996 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1996 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Impressions Games
- Publisher
- Sierra On-Line
- MobyScore
- ★ 7.46
- Players today
- Overwhelmingly Positive on Steam (96% of 1347)
The history
Developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra On-Line, Inc., Lords of the Realm II arrived in 1996 as a bid for control of the English throne. Following the death of the king, players must compete against four other nobles—including the headstrong Knight, the backstabbing Bishop, the Baron, and the ice princess The Countess—to seize the realm.
The title mattered because of its ambitious hybrid structure, blending turn-based economic management with real-time combat. This fusion was later described by PC Gamer as "incredibly innovative" and "original and thrilling," marking it as a standout in the strategy landscape of the late 90s.
How it plays
The core loop is split between two distinct modes. In the turn-based phase, players manage their counties by building larger castles and ensuring the peasantry remains well-fed and happy to maintain control. This economic layer is designed to simulate the dynamics of ruling.
When conflict erupts, the game shifts to a real-time, Warcraft-style isometric battlefield. Players command their units to either wipe out the enemy or force a retreat. In the event of a siege, victory is achieved by either capturing the enemy's flag or eliminating all opposing soldiers.
How it was received
Lords of the Realm II received "generally favorable" reviews, earning a 77% on Metacritic. It was a commercial success, selling 2.5 million copies worldwide and peaking at ninth position on the PC Data sales charts in January 1997. While the turn-based management was praised by PCMag as "very well-designed," the real-time combat was more divisive; the UK version of PC Gamer called it a "major flaw," arguing that the sieges became repetitive.
Critics were also split on the difficulty and AI; PC Zone noted a "steep learning curve," while Next Generation found the computer's siege tactics to be "inept." Then and now, the game remains highly regarded, transitioning from a period of mixed critical debate to an "Overwhelmingly Positive" sentiment from modern Steam players.
In the magazines
The period press.
The game earned strong scores from Allgame (4.5/5), Computer Gaming World (4/5), Next Generation (4/5), and PC Magazine (4/5), while Hyper gave it 85% and PC Zone provided 80% and 75%.
What players say today
Modern players on Steam view the game as a "classic" and a "blast from the past," with 1,296 out of 1,347 reviews being positive. Users appreciate the "blood pumping" combination of real-time action and full control turns, often describing it as a fun, slow-paced way to kill time that is "easy to play tough to master."
“Lords II is a rather rare strategy game which has both full control turns and real time action sequences that gets your blood pumping, an excellent combination. It also offers a wide range of difficul…”
“I like that it is a turn-based game, not "live" - there's no stress to playing, just enjoy the environment of the setting and while away an hour or so playing.”
“Blast from the past that I always enjoyed. Easy to play tough to master!”
Screenshots
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
Impressions Games continued to develop titles in the series, including the Royal Edition which bundled the original game and the Siege Pack. The game is worth seeking out today for its rare blend of high-stakes economic simulation and tactical real-time battles.
What it's worth
A second-hand market that moves over time — a loose disc is pocket-money, while sealed or complete-with-manual copies drive the top end. For today's exact listings, check the live search.
See current copies on eBay →Copies in the wild
Real listing photos — the range of condition you'll meet.
Photographed examples from past listings — illustrative of condition, not a live inventory.
How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: Steam or GOG (DRM-free) on modern Windows. Either way the core game is intact.
Modern versions on Steam include the Siege Pack expansion, which adds additional scenarios, battle maps, and castles. Some users have noted compatibility issues on Windows 11, such as black screens or launch failures requiring specific compatibility settings, and GOG users have noted the inclusion of lower-resolution interlaced SMK videos compared to original discs.
Verdict
Lords of the Realm II holds up as a fascinating relic of 90s experimental design. While the AI may be exploitable and the combat repetitive by modern standards, the tension between managing a peasantry and leading a charge on a castle remains engaging.
It is a rewarding experience for those who enjoy a slower, strategic pace punctuated by moments of high energy, proving that its innovative hybrid structure was ahead of its time.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.