Age of Wonders 4 is worth your time in the strategy games genre

As gamers, we are fortunate to have a plethora of titles to choose from, making it impossible to play them all. However, if you’re a fan of 4X strategy games or Triumph Studios’ work, Age of Wonders 4 might be a game you’re interested in. It’s a great addition to the genre, building on its excellent predecessors. 

Age of Wonders III, released in 2014, added more depth with a sci-fi twist. The latest entry returns to the fantasy setting and emphasizes choice. Players can create custom stories, rulers, and also explore a variety of worlds with unique modifiers. 

So, discover all the remarkable evolution of Age of Wonders 4 with this thrilling review.

Game Story: A Fantastical Tale

Age of Wonders 4, the latest addition to Triumph Studios’ long-standing fantasy strategy series, allows you to take on the role of a mortal ruler striving to expand his nation’s power and influence, ultimately aiming to ascend as a Godir. 

Throughout the journey, you’ll face formidable wizards and ancient beings that travel across dimensions, posing a constant threat to your realm.

Though the game features an intricate plot with rich lore, newcomers to the series need not delve into the previous instalments’ events. In fact, as a novice, you may find the game more enjoyable before attempting to grasp the entire backstory. The in-game cinematics provides sufficient context to enhance your experience.

Gameplay: Might and Magic

The return to a fantasy setting in Age of Wonders 4 brings numerous changes, including significant alterations to the combat and hero system compared to its predecessor. Heroes can now level up, acquire various skills, equip diverse weapons, and obtain different mounts. 

Units can be stacked up to six deep, with battles conducted through a swift yet strategic turn-based system. Game pace, faction balance, and the tech tree’s robustness are all well-executed in this instalment.

We’d also like to focus on an aspect many other fantasy 4X games have struggled with, but Age of Wonders 4 successfully creates relatable gameplay. 

Often, fantasy 4X games become mired in attempting to avoid cliches or overly complicating their lore, world, and units, resulting in a convoluted understanding of expectations and engagement rules.

Take Civilization as an example. Before playing a single turn, players are familiar with the cultures, locations, and history. Without consulting a tech tree guide, players can already determine their choices’ what, how, and why. 

Players understand the wheel’s purpose and the importance of the Bronze Age. They know that advancing to gunpowder offers military advantages. These examples demonstrate the strength of 4X games set in familiar settings, which partly explains their success and the challenges they face when transitioning to a fantasy setting. 

Age of Wonders 4, however, excels at incorporating magic and high fantasy while remaining grounded and easily comprehensible.

Graphics/Audio: Style and Substance

Age of Wonders 4 boasts impressive visuals and performed exceptionally well throughout our review period. Aside from minor stuttering during late-game turn cycles, we experienced no crashes. 

Units are well-designed, character models stand out on the map, and heroes are depicted as larger-than-life figures. Magical transformations also change your faction’s appearance. Though the faction creator offers limited customization options, it provides enough flexibility to create a unique hero and army.

Furthermore, the game supports mods on PC and has successfully delivered outstanding console versions. While Planetfall had a decent controller interface, Age of Wonders 4 takes it to the next level. 

It’s evident that Triumph Studios dedicated significant thought and effort to ensure the console versions are as enjoyable as their PC counterpart.

Verdict

Our experience reviewing Age of Wonders 4 proved to be an unexpectedly delightful journey. This 4X game is characterized by a brisk, fast-paced, and gratifying gameplay experience, complemented by an extensive range of features. 

The multiplayer mode functions seamlessly, and players have full control over various aspects of the game, such as online settings, world generation, and rule sets, allowing for customization according to personal preferences. 

If you’re seeking the latest sensation in the 4X genre or simply enjoy the relaxing nature of these games, Age of Wonders 4 is the perfect choice to satisfy your gaming desires.