Rise of the Shadowhand is the expansion pack for the real-time strategy game Dark Reign: The Future of War, developed by Auran and published by Activision for Windows in 1998. The expansion continues the conflict between the Freedom Guard and the Imperium, picking up where the original campaign left off. The story follows a Freedom Guard transport that stumbles upon a secret Imperium base after being forced through a jumpgate.
The expansion adds 12 new units, including the versatile Gemini Tank (with speed and attack modes), the powerful Reaper infantry, the napalm-deploying Hades Bomber, and the EMP Device that can paralyze an enemy commander. New structures such as the Matrix and Osiris are required to build advanced Shadowhand units. A new campaign of 20 missions and additional multiplayer maps are included. The artificial intelligence was improved to attack in larger groups, though strategic decision-making remains limited.
Rise of the Shadowhand requires the base Dark Reign game and runs on Windows 95/98. It supports single-player and up to 4 players over a network, with the notable requirement that each player must have their own CD. The expansion retains the same 640x480 resolution as the original.
