Prussia's Frederick the Great (1712-1786) came to power in 1740 as ruler of a small country in Europe that would soon dominate the world stage and influence European history for decades to pass. A brilliant mind, Frederick sponsored such intellectuals as Voltaire at his court, and even gave the construction of the pianos of Silbermann a helping hand. Yet centuries later he's not remembered as the ruler that helped the arts and sciences, but rather as a superb soldier-king, a master of the art of war.
It was through his military leadership that Prussia became such a powerhouse, defeating the armies of Austria, Russia, and France in the true first world war, the Seven Years War, that began in 1756. Hints of Prussia's greatness though were first evident shortly after Frederick ascended to rule Prussia, when he invaded and occupied Silesia, although it would not be until 1748 that Prussia gained total control over the region. In fact, at the end of his reign Prussia had increased almost fifty percent in size from the area it occupied at the start of his rule, with an increase of over four million more citizens living in Prussian territory.
Like other military geniuses throughout history even today Frederick's teachings and experience with warfare are still studied. While times have changed, and so have the weapon systems, the core ideas are timeless. From the importance of logistics, to combined arms warfare (a tad different since the tank has long since replaced the horse), to the role of the ultimate fighting machine in any war, the infantryman, Frederick the Great's experiences are a testament to the role of good leadership and excellent tactical knowledge.
The second in the award-winning Horse and Musket 2 series, Prussia's Glory, brings to your monitor five important battles of Frederick the Great, showcasing his military genius between the years of 1745 and 1760. The five battles include Soor, Lobositz, Hochkirch, Torgau, and arguably the most famous battle of Frederick's military career, Leuthen. It was at Leuthen that the Prussians, numbering only 35,000, fought against an Austrian army consisting of nearly 65,000 troops under the command of Prince Charles of Lorraine. Thanks to Frederick's military mind, the Prussians actually routed the Austrians, suffering only 6300 killed and wounded, while the Austrians lost over 22,000 killed and another 12,000 captured.
Gamers will enjoy the attention to detail, whether in the animated battles that unfold, or the historically accurate orders of battle. With a full featured scenario editor, and extensive multiplayer capabilities, warfare during the 18th century never has to end! In fact, look for future titles in the Horse and Musket 2 series, which will take gamers from 1600-1800, always with the same love of history and playability as found in Dragoon: The Prussian War Machine and Prussia's Glory.
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