"BattleForge," a recent online RTS/collectible card game from Electronic Arts, has taken a step closer today to becoming a mainstream version of "SAGA." In "BattleForge" you collect cards and use them to build armies that can then be played against online scenarios or against other people. Originally, it was launched as a retail title with optional microtransactions. Now, instead of being an entirely retail-based game, players can download a free version off the Internet.

This may sound like the retail purchasers were gypped, but the free version is greatly lacking from the retail. The players have full access to the game but begin with only 32 of the 200 cards, and receive no points with which to purchase more. The retail version grants many more cards, and also starts the player off with 3000 points so that they can differentiate even further from the stock model.

Unlike "SAGA," which can be played for no cost at all by earning points within the game to get different cards, "BattleForge" will become more of a freemium game where you have access to a certain amount of content before you have to start spending money. Either way, the game looks gorgeous and is worth a play, free or not. It's certainly one of the best online RTS games available.

Posted by James Bishop
May 27, 2009

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