Order of Kings set to launch closed beta next month alongside fresh gameplay footage

Order of Kings has set the date for its upcoming closed beta this February

It blends classic mobile 4X gameplay with dynamic real-time 3D battles

Use terrain and elevation to your advantage with realistic tactical combat

When it comes to strategy on mobile, many games quickly devolve into a numbers race. Who has the larger army? Who wields the most powerful weapon? Often, terrain and thoughtful tactics take a backseat. But the upcoming 4X fusion RTS Order of Kings might be different—thanks to some small but meaningful design changes.

Set against the legendary Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, a period frequently revisited in gaming, Order of Kings delivers the familiar elements of the strategy genre. You’ll construct your base, launch attacks, and assemble a roster of iconic historical figures to command your armies.

What sets Order of Kings apart is its emphasis on strategic real-time combat. With the first beta launching on February 6th, now is the perfect time to pre-register for Android and iOS if you’ve been following the game since our previous coverage.

Total Warfare

So what do I mean by strategic real-time combat? Unlike many games that play out on a flat, abstract plane, Order of Kings features 3D topographical terrain and true environmental blocking. Units exist in physical space, allowing you to leverage geography for tactical advantage.

You can shield your flanks with rivers and ridgelines, or dominate the battlefield from elevated positions to unleash devastating arrow volleys. More gameplay footage is on the way before launch, but it’s already clear that the blend of classic mobile 4X strategy and Total War-style real-time combat has earned our full attention.

That said, the full release of Order of Kings is still months away. In the meantime, if you're eager to hone your generalship skills, we’ve put together a hand-picked list of the best strategy games available on Android.