Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat is one of the first 3D real-time strategy games. The game is based on the medieval fantasy world from Games Workshop Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop game. The player takes on the role of mercenary commander Morgan Bernhardt, with the Skavens (humanoid, intelligent rats) as the main villains. Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat is non-linear, the player can choose alternative missions to progress. Troops are transferred from mission to mission - as is their loss. The player commands whole groups, not single units (similar to the games in the Total War series. Soldiers themselves belongs to various groups (cavalry, infantry, machinery, archers, etc.).
