Pathfinder: Kingmaker
Name in global market: Pathfinder: Kingmaker
Release: 2018
Platforms: Computer, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developers: Owlcat Games (Moscow/Cyprus)
metacritical score: 74 points out of 100
Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a classic role playing game rooted in the Pathfinder board game universe. It draws inspiration from the isometric RPGs of the early era, with a design ethos reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights. The project came to life from Owlcat Games, a Moscow-based studio, and was published by Deep Silver. The game earned a positive reception from critics and players alike, praised for its engaging story and dynamic, sometimes unpredictable gameplay. Critics note that the game’s depth often requires players to dig into the extensive original Pathfinder material, which can be a hurdle for newcomers. Pathfinders determination and scope contributed to a solid commercial performance, leading to a subtitled expansion, Wrath of the Righteous, released in 2021. Critics generally rated Wrath of the Righteous higher, and players welcomed the expanded content and improved systems.
“King’s Bounty: Legend of the Knight”
Name in global market: King’s Prize: Legend
Release: 2008
Platforms: computer
Developers: Katauri Interactive (Kaliningrad)
Metacritical score: 79 points out of 100
King’s Bounty stands as one of the oldest turn-based strategy series from the early 1990s, a forerunner that helped pave the way for later Russian and CIS titles in the genre. The franchise began in the United States but saw the rights move to the Russian company 1C in the early 2000s. With funding from Katauri Interactive, Kaliningrad-based developers relaunched the series as King’s Bounty: Legend of the Knight. This approach yielded broadly favorable press coverage and solid sales, motivating 1C to invest in additional content. Four expansion packs followed, including the notable first expansion titled “The Princess in the Armor,” which achieved strong results on Metacritic with a score of 82 out of 100.
Heroes of Might and Magic V
Name in global market: Heroes of Might and Magic V
Release: 2007
Platforms: computer
Developer: Nival Interactive (Moscow/St. Petersburg/Cyprus)
Metacritical score: 77 points out of 100
When discussing the Heroes of Might and Magic series, Russians often refer to the fifth entry simply as Heroes. This instalment marks a significant revival, with Russian developer Nival Interactive collaborating with the French publisher Ubisoft. Heroes of Might and Magic V became the first in the series to shift the game world into full 3D, a major leap that maintained the core charm while enhancing the visual and strategic depth. The game earned strong reviews and amassed a large following, supporting two expansions, Lords of the North and Lords of the Horde. Community responses were positive, with high user satisfaction even on Steam. The game’s enduring appeal remains evident in ongoing discussions and continued fan engagement.
“Space Rangers 2: Raids”
Name in global market: Space Rangers 2: Rise of Raids
Release: 2004
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
Developer: Elemental Games (Moscow/Vladivostok)
Metacritical score: 84 points out of 100
Space Rangers 2: Dominators is a distinctive sci-fi adventure that blends multiple genres into one cohesive experience. Players guide a Space Rangers Academy graduate tasked with protecting the galaxy from a robot uprising and the threats facing intelligent life. The game intertwines space exploration, base building, and strategic missions, all wrapped in a witty, self-aware narrative. Elemental Games led the project, a studio whose later shifts in collaboration with Katauri Interactive are noted in industry histories. Space Rangers 2 stands out for its ambitious scope, with a linked prequel and a second wave of re-releases in 2009 and 2012 that broadened its audience.
“IL-2 Sturmovik”
Name in global market: IL-2 Sturmovik
Release: 2001
Platforms: computer
Developer: 1C: Maddox Games
Metacritical score: 91 points out of 100
IL-2 Sturmovik is a renowned flight simulator focused on World War II air combat. Players pilot an IL-2 and fly missions from cities like Lvov, Smolensk, Moscow, and Stalingrad, among others. The project originated as a standalone endeavor by Oleg Maddox and later was developed and released internationally by 1C. The title gained prominence as a premier flight sim and is frequently cited among top PC games of all time by outlets like IGN. The series has continued to evolve with a lineage of sequels and enduring fan support.
“Pirates”
Name in global market: Sea Dogs / Age of Pirates
Release: 2000
Platforms: computer
Developer: Akella (Moscow)
Metacritical score: 71 points out of 100
Corsairs presents an adventure where players command a ship’s captain, exploring historical sea lanes and choosing roles as an autonomous pirate or a state ally. Akella, a Moscow-based studio, helped propel the Pirates series through the early 2000s. Despite mixed press at times, the franchise achieved solid commercial performance and spawned multiple sequels. One later entry would even be repackaged by Disney as Pirates of the Caribbean alongside the film release, illustrating the cultural reach of the series. Many readers today recall Pirates as a landmark in early piracy-themed gaming.
“Truckers: The Road to Victory”
Name in global market: Hard Truck: The Road to Victory
Release: 1998
Platforms: computer
Developer: SoftLab-NSK (Novosibirsk)
Metacritical score: –
Truckers centers on logistics and trucking, letting players manage fleets, routes, and the growth of a transport business. The developers behind this title came out of SoftLab-NSK, a team born within the Institute of Automation and Electrometry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The game landed in European markets to a warm reception, and its sequel quickly followed. The second installment proved to be a hit as it sold over two million copies in five years in the United States alone, landing among the era’s top PC sellers. The franchise’s legacy remains a reminder of early data-driven sim design and the enduring charm of management sims.