VGSources / Games / Slitherine Software UK Limited
real-time tactics
Spartan
By Slitherine Software UK Limited, released 1 Jan 2004
- Microsoft Windows
- historical video game
- strategy video game
What it is
Spartan is a turn-based empire-building strategy game developed by Slitherine Software UK Limited and published by Slitherine Ltd. Set in the ancient Greek world, it centers on building an empire through diplomacy, trade, research, and war, with less emphasis on battles than a real-time strategy game. The game is designed for players interested in the period and strategy players who prefer time to consider their decisions. Its scenarios involve Sparta and rival powers including Athens, Thebes, Corinth, Macedonia, and Persia. Three tutorial scenarios and a print-ready manual are included. TCP/IP support is listed for multiplayer games, while Steam features include single-player and Family Sharing. The entry lists Windows as its platform. Although its genre information includes real-time tactics, the description characterizes its core empire-building play as turn-based strategy.
What players like, and what they don't
- Diplomacy, trade, research, and war
- Three tutorial scenarios
- Print-ready manual included
- TCP/IP multiplayer support
- Windows is the only listed platform
- Steam features list single-player and Family Sharing only
Who it suits
Spartan suits strategy players interested in ancient Greece who prefer considered decisions over real-time battle pressure. Its single-player mode and tutorials may work for players starting with its empire-building systems.
Spartan puts empire-building decisions at the center, with diplomacy, trade, research, and war. Its tutorial scenarios and manual support learning, while TCP/IP multiplayer is also listed.
