Sword & Siege Age of Longbow: Volume I
Age of Longbow Volume I is a focused tactical wargame that drops you into the long, messy conflict between England and France that we now call the Hundred Years War. The scope is wide but specific: from the dynastic crisis after Charles IV in 1328 to the wars that produced Crécy, Poitiers, Agincourt, the Caroline campaigns, Joan of Arc and the siege of Orléans, this title aims to recreate the ebb and flow of power across more than a century of warfare.
Maps are hex based and scenarios range from set piece field battles to sieges, raids and smaller engagements. Mechanics emphasize the era's true decision drivers: longbow volleys, cavalry shock, fortress defense, supply and the wear of prolonged operations. If you like orders of battle, historically flavored formations and granular tactical choices, Age of Longbow delivers a deep simulation playground.
Command the Armies of the Hundred Years War
Age of Longbow presents a historically informed order of battle so you can feel the differences between English and French approaches on the field.
Play as England and allies with units such as:
- English and Welsh longbowmen
- Men-at-arms
- Gascon crossbowmen
- Spearmen and assorted infantry
- Flemish allies and mercenary contingents
- Early field artillery
Or take the French side with forces that include:
- Feudal levies
- Heavy, medium and light cavalry
- Genoese mercenary crossbowmen
- Allied contingents from Castile and other powers
- Siege guns and early handguns
The roster is designed to reflect how each side fought and adapted over the centuries, from longbow formations that dominated certain battles to evolving French tactics and allied contingents that shifted the balance.
Medieval Warfare in Transition
The Hundred Years War was a period of tactical evolution rather than a single set of rules, and Age of Longbow models that transition. Longbows could be decisive, cavalry could turn a battle in an instant, and fortified positions often dictated campaign goals. The game highlights several persistent concerns of medieval commanders:
- The power of longbow volleys versus massed infantry and cavalry
- The role of fatigue, morale and leadership in turning engagements
- The importance of supply lines and logistics over extended operations
- How terrain, roads and rivers shape movement, positioning and siege outcomes
That mix makes for scenarios where careful maneuver and timing matter as much as brute force.
94 Scenarios and Expansive Campaign Play
Age of Longbow Volume I ships with 94 scenarios. Those include a solo tutorial, strictly historical battles, variant what-if scenarios and special maps tuned for head-to-head or AI play. On top of that the game offers 49 linked campaign scenarios so players can experience a connected operational arc rather than isolated fights. Campaign play lets you manage decisions that ripple across multiple operations, reflecting the campaign-level pressures commanders faced.
Extensive Maps and Historical Detail
Maps are presented in both detailed 2D and selectable 3D battlefield views with 3D unit graphics meant to represent the look and feel of period armies. Scenarios come with historical design notes and a bibliography listing the sources used to create the simulation. That emphasis on documentation helps players understand the reasoning behind each scenario and the assumptions baked into unit types and formations.
Deep Tactical Systems
Gameplay centers on systems that model medieval combat realities:
- Command and control limitations that constrain orders and responsiveness
- Fatigue and morale that shape unit performance over time
- Supply and logistics that affect sustainment and operational choices
- Terrain effects and battlefield positioning that reward planning and reconnaissance
Players can also choose different scales of play to match preferred tactical grain: 15 minute turns with 100 meter hexes or 10 minute turns with 40 meter hexes.
Powerful Editing Tools
If you want to tweak history or build your own fights, the game includes full editors:
- Campaign editor for linked operations
- Scenario editor for single engagements
- Sub-map editor for detailed custom terrain and layout
These tools let players create alternate outcomes, rebuild lesser known clashes or refine scenarios for multiplayer balance.
Multiple Ways to Play
Age of Longbow supports a variety of playstyles. You can face the computer AI, run games via Play-By-Email, join LAN or live Internet matches, or use two-player hot seat mode. Those options make it usable for solo historians, club players and PBEM communities who enjoy slow-burn, tactical warfare.
Age of Longbow Volume I aims to be a detailed, scenario rich toolkit for fans of medieval wargaming, especially those who want longbows, sieges and the logistics of a protracted war treated with care and depth.
➡️ Check out Sword & Siege Age of Longbow: Volume I now on Steam
