Video Games

Age of Wonders 4: The First Preview of This Wild 4X Game

We’ve spent thousands of hours of our lives exploring, exploiting, expanding and eradicating 4X games like Age of Wonders 4. i’m done. win or lose like tears in the rain But the end is just the beginning in Triumph Studios’ latest fantasy civilization builder. My beloved rulers have ascended to godhood, joining a pantheon that stretches from one world to the next, allowing them to continue to influence the big picture and unlock new empire options. We haven’t seen it play out in the Mono campaign yet, but it’s a very exciting prospect.

It was actually the first foray into a proper part of Age of Wonders, as it was introduced to the series through its sci-fi spin-off, Planetfall. And with a civilization-like Overworld where you build cities, exploit resources, train armies, and deal with rival powers, it’s very similar. Age of Wonders 4 zooms in on an XCOM-like turn-based combat system, allowing each unit to move and act independently. Luckily, these battles don’t tend to last long enough to slow the pace of the Overworld, but they still give you plenty of time to execute your clever tactics.

However, building your dream fantasy civilization begins before you even find a single city. Start each run by choosing a base template, from mainstays like elves and dwarves to slightly odder options like frog people. This sets the appearance of leaders and units and provides recommended species traits. Elves are quick and sharp-eyed by default, but you can switch them out at any time. Nothing prevents you from creating a poisonous cat-man who rides spiders.

This customization goes on to determining what I essentially consider the “vibe” of your civilization, which also determines your unique buildings and starting unit roster. Reminds me of Lothlorian or Gondor with their shining armor and well-trained armies. Barbarians are clan-centric, belligerent and aggressive. Combining these to defy fantasy stereotypes was one of the most fun things I’ve had with Age of Wonders 4. We were able to create both savage and barbaric elves attacking from the depths of the forest and righteous and good orcs to observe. Knight’s chivalry. Please note that the footage you are seeing was provided by the developer.

illuminate the times

However, this customization doesn’t stop when you start your first turn. Continue to unlock new benefits, spells, and units for the entire faction by studying magical tomes that are in several stages. Some can summon powerful magical constructs or raise the dead. It turned the aforementioned barbarian elves into green-skinned plant people, giving them bonus moves in the forest and an even deeper affinity with the realm’s wild locations. Thus, you can start from the exact same starting trait multiple times and progress very differently based on the selected Tome. but I was able to play with only a few of them.

Somewhat literal, as there are also entire subterranean strata that some empires prefer to settle.


Besides the traditional method of destroying all AI opponents, Age of Wonders 4 has two additional winning options. The expansion involves building a very large empire and lighting up three Beacons of Unity that must be defended for a certain number of turns. Magic is similar, but better suited to tall empires, as you must complete a Tier 5 book before triggering a countdown, changing the world according to the whims of your chosen affinity. As with expansion, he must defend three key locations during this time.

what’s underneath

It really just scratches the surface of Age of Wonders 4. In a literal sense, as there is also an entire subterranean stratum that some empires prefer to settle. There are monsters and bandit lairs that will grow over time if not dealt with and send waves of enemies to attack you. Almost like the Civ savages, except they may be demons or something like that. So you want to monitor it. There’s also a series of stories that deal with the return of the dimension-hopping Wizard King and determine the fate of multiple worlds in his realm.

Between deep, liberal empire customization and an enduring pantheon of past heroes watching over my future deeds, Age of Wonders 4 proves to be the kind of 4X game I spend hundreds of hours on. got it. And we will all be able to build such a legacy on May 2nd.

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