Kohan is a stand-alone prequel to TimeGate Studios’ highly acclaimed fantasy real-time strategy game, Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns. Ahriman's Gift takes you to new heights of strategic warfare. You become one of the Kohan, an ancient race devastated by a cycle of world-breaking cataclysms. Now, as your strength grows and your destiny unfolds, you have to seize the reins of power and take your place in the war between the Creator and the Shadow.

It is the end of an age on Khaldun; an age that has known nothing but peace as far back as mortal memories stretch. But the Kohan that survived the last Cataclysm recognize the thunderhead brewing in the distance. Those Kohan fallen to the Shadow, called the Ceyah, once again stride across Khaldun sowing terror in their wake. They depose kings and seize power while marshaling their forces in preparation for the coming battle.

A handful of Kohan have come forth to challenge the Ceyah in the eternal struggle between the Creator and the Shadow. But the Shadow has a powerful new champion awakened from the Great Dream. Once a stalwart member of the High Council, this champion burns with a jealous passion known only to those seduced by the Shadow.

The Shadow’s champion rises and darkness approaches. A darkness that creeps into the hearts and lives of men as their world teeters on the brink of chaos…

Not easily impressed you say ... damn right ... you shouldnt be .. To be honest I never had a chance/opportunity to check out the first Kohan : Immortal Sovereigns so I did not quite know what to expect ... As soon as i ran the game i knew i was in for a nice ride .. you know .. sometimes it just happens that as soon as u pop in a music cd or start a game .. you just know you are going to enjoy it ... Enough about the praising .. lets get down to some FACTS ...

Players will need to use a mix of strategy, tactics, and resource management for successful kingdom building. Victory will depend heavily on the player’s ability to commission and manage a strong military force that compliments his economic strategy. Nothing can be taken for granted though. Players can play a basic tutorial, an advanced tutorial, and three story-based campaigns, as well as play with up to 7 other players over the internet or LAN. Also included is a fully functional Map Editor that allows users to create and customize their own maps, allowing for endless replayability.

Kohan: Ahriman’s Gift is areal-time strategy game set in the fantasy world of Khaldun taking you to new heights of strategic warfare. Built on the award-winning Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns gameplay, Ahriman’s Gift provides countless hours of entertainment with five campaigns, forty custom-built maps, and a host of multiplayer options. You become one of the Kohan, an ancient race devastated by a cycle of world-breaking cataclysms. Newly awakened to an uncertain future and a past you don’t remember, you must forge the present using superior strategies. Now, as your strength grows and your destiny unfolds, you have to seize the reins of power and take your place in the war between the Creator and the Shadow. Which side you fight on is up to you.

Some of the Features :

• 5 campaigns
• 40 custom designed maps
• Fully functional map editor with powerful random map generator
• Over 90 units and 70 different heroes
• Over 100 spells and 75 technologies
• 30 complex AI players
• 7 game types (including Bloodbath and King of the Hill)
• Multiplayer support for up to 8 players over Internet or LAN

Xerxes is the current leader of the Royalist factions on the Isle of the Ancients. He despises the Nationalists almost as much as the Ceyah but is willing to work with Ravid Sakeri and his Council nation to protect the Isle from Ceyah intrusion.

Spells: None - Abilities: Trailblazing, Quick Recovery

Syrad Amon is one of Hasanko's greatest generals, the brute force behind Hasanko's cunning. Syrad Amon grows stronger with every battle, feeding off the death and destruction. The Ceyah Lords keep a watchful eye on Syrad Amon, while many of the other Ceyah fear getting in his way.

Spells: None - Abilities: Unholy Attacks

Martyn is a man who loves to build things. He spends most of his time dreaming up new ways to construct gadgets and build structures. If it were up to Martyn, the Ceyah would simply be ignored and all effort would be funneled into building the ultimate citadel on the face of Khaldun, one that would rival the splendor of the First Age. The senseless destruction he witnesses around him has driven him to the edge and his anger over this is directed at the Ceyah. There is some lingering resentment towards the Kohan who fight the Ceyah, as he sees them as continuing the cycle of destruction.

Spells: None - Abilities: Rapid Entrenching, Defense Bonus

Thora is one of Ravid Sakeri's lieutenants, managing many of the military aspects of Ravid's small kingdom. She is also a dedicated priestess, studying the affect of the Shadow on Khaldun in the hopes of learning its weaknesses. She believes that knowledge is the most powerful weapon the Kohan can have against the Shadow.

Spells: Heaven's Gift, Restoration - Abilities: Shadowbane

Some of the new spells are really cool and interesting, as well as useful ... Spells such as Entangle, Armor Of Light, Meteor and Terrify are only a FEW of the massive amount of 100 spells to be researched and discovered. Crossbowman, Maelstrom Engine (my favorite new toy ;), Ice Drake and the Slaanri Mystic are only a mere glimpse of the wide array of New "Elements".

Overall this game is only is demo/beta stage .. so the end result can somewhat turn out different .. one thing is for sure .. i WILL go pick up Kohan : Immortal Sovereigns in a few days .. so it can sooth my RTS appetite untill Kohan: Ahriman’s Gift is available ... this game is hereby deemed WORTHPLAYING!

The system requirements are very modest compared to the high end blockbusters noawadays, allowing every PC owner to enjoy this RTS

PII, 233 Mhz (or equivalent)
64 MB RAM
4 MB 2D Video Card
Win95/98/2000
DirectX 3.0
Direct Sound Compatible Card
150 MB Hard Drive Space
6X CD-Rom
Multiplayer Connection: 56K
Resolution: 1024 x 768