Age of Wonders 4 Review: A Game of Wonders and Woes

     The Gamearc Review 

Age of Wonders 4, the latest 4X strategy game from Triumph Studios and Paradox Interactive. This game is like Civilization on steroids, with magic and monsters and all kinds of cool stuff. You can make your own empire and go to different worlds, fight epic battles, and cast wicked spells. The game also has this thing called a pantheon system and a story mode that are pretty dope. But the game is not all rainbows and unicorns: it can be laggy, glitchy, and super hard. So is it worth your time and money? Find out in our full review and let me know what you think in the comments. So, lets dive into it.

Gameplay

Age of Wonders 4 is a game that lets you create your own fantasy faction by choosing from various bodily forms, societal traits, and arcane powers. You can play as anything from a clan of cannibal halflings to mystic moon elves, or even recreate your favorite fantasy tropes. You can also customize your leader's appearance, skills, and equipment, and recruit heroes and units to join your cause.

The game features a dynamic world map where you can explore new lands, encounter roaming monsters, and interact with other factions. You can expand your empire by building cities, outposts, and fortresses, and manage your resources, research, and diplomacy. You can also seek powerful tomes of magic that will allow you to enchant your armies and evolve your people. Your choices will shape the world and affect the story events that unfold.

But the real highlight of Age of Wonders 4 is the combat system. The game switches to a hex-based grid where you can control your units in turn-based battles. The battles are challenging and rewarding, as you have to consider the terrain, the morale, the abilities, and the equipment of your units. You can also use spells and items to turn the tide of war. The game offers a variety of scenarios, from small skirmishes to large sieges, and each battle feels unique and exciting.

The game also has a pantheon system that lets you choose a patron deity for your faction. Each deity grants you different bonuses and abilities, as well as access to unique units and spells. You can also compete with other factions for the favor of the gods by completing quests and challenges. The pantheon system adds another layer of strategy and customization to the game.

The game also has a story mode that follows the rise of the Wizard Kings, powerful beings who have returned to the realms to reign as gods among mortals. You can play as one of them or as one of their challengers in a series of missions that will test your skills and choices. The story mode is well-written and engaging, with branching paths and multiple endings.

Graphics

Age of Wonders 4 is a visually stunning game, with colorful graphics and detailed animations. The game has a vibrant art style that brings the fantasy world to life. The game also has a lot of variety in its environments, from lush forests to barren deserts, from snowy mountains to volcanic islands. The game also has some impressive effects for the spells and the battles.

The game is not flawless, though. It can be laggy at times, especially when there are a lot of units on the screen. It can also be glitchy, with some bugs and crashes. The game could use some optimization and polishing.

Sound

The sound design of Age of Wonders 4 is also impressive. The game has a fitting soundtrack that matches the mood and theme of each scenario.

The game also has voice acting for the characters and the story events. The voice acting is decent, but not exceptional. Some voices sound better than others.
Rating: 8/10
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The game also has some nice sound effects for the units and the spells. The sound effects add to the immersion and the atmosphere of the game.

Verdict

Age of Wonders 4 is a game that I did not expect to fall in love with. It has a lot of depth and replay value, and it appeals to both strategy fans and RPG fans. The game is also visually stunning, with colorful graphics and detailed animations. The sound design is also impressive, with a fitting soundtrack and voice acting.

The game is not perfect, though. It has some bugs and glitches, and it can be overwhelming for newcomers. The UI could also use some improvements, and the AI could be smarter.

Overall, Age of Wonders 4 is a game that deserves your attention if you're looking for a fun and engaging strategy game with a lot of customization options. It's a game that will make you feel like a ruler of a fantasy realm, where every decision matters and every battle counts.