dmarusz's Full Review: Age of Wonders for Windows, Mac
I love turn based games, and this is the type that really exemplifies the best of this genre. The object of a turn based game is pretty simple. You let the computer play first. It stops, and then you get to play. This allows for you to think about your next move as opposed to relying on your hand eye coordination. This concept, however, does not leave out the atmosphere of tension or action, which many turn based games may forget. Otherwise, you are just playing checkers.
Age of Wonders does this well. You get to choose your action but then the fun begins. In controlling your men, they can attack, cast spells, etc. but they can also get killed or accidentally kill one of their own. So, the action still takes place. The sound effects are also another great addition to the game play that can highlight the action or just plain make you laugh. This game did not spend a lot of money on its sound and sound track but it uses both very well.
If you are reading this never have played or seen the game, you are probably what the heck that I'm talking about right now. So, let's go back to the basics. This is a RPG style of format where you are thrust into the age of elves, magicians, Orcs and the dawn of man. It is a little stereotypic in the gaming world, but this game has a charm to it that makes you forget it. Your main goal is to win.
The goal is ambiguous because the game let's you choose your own path. You can start out as the bad guys (dark elves) or the good guys (elves). The cool thing is that you can start off good and end up bad ... or you can end up a little of both. This is the strength of the game. You can constantly choose your path. And, your path affects who you are, your strengths and weaknesses. This not only makes the game adventurous but also hypes the replay value as you can always start over again and change that place where you said, "You know, I wonder what would have happened if ..."
Since you can change, this forces this world to be full of a host of characters. There are tons of races which have a multitude of different peoples within them. Also, you are not stuck just fighting for supremacy. You can also go explore a tunnel, look for gold and even take the occasional quest or two. In another words, there is a large variety within the game play itself.
Now, does this mean its all good. Of course not. Then I couldn't complain, and we'll have none of that. For example, even though you can take different paths, you don't necessarily get equally well told stories. The plot for one path is not the same for another. In fact, in all plot lines, there is a little bit of spottiness that makes you wonder what's happening and why is my character motivated to do this. Obviously, if I'm picking the way for my character, he shouldn't be a stranger to me. This leads into the cut scenes which are in book form with art work. It would have been nice to have some animation or something more entertaining than plain text in a children's book format.
The graphics are simple and the art is well stylized. Neither of these bothered me to much because I liked the artists' renderings and there was also an air of comedy in the fight scenes that lent itself more to the simpler art. However, some of the main stream gamers might be a little bothered by it.
The worst and most frustrating part of it may have been the unequal races. If your an Orc, no problem. If you are a Halfling, befriend someone, because you are not winning on your own. Nonetheless, I would suggest multiple saves for everyone.
Overall, though, I really liked this game. I was very enjoyable to play and replay. Which, now that Age of Wonders II is out, makes me want to mosey down to the software section right now.
Choice of automatic (fast combat) or turn-based tactical combat Conjure 0ver 100 spells spread over seven (7) spheres of magic Battle your way through...More at Amazon Marketplace
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