
Playing a new game will ask you to select or create a realm of your choosing, which will give you climate traits that the developers created or that you apply to it. The multiplayer can be played synchronously or asynchronously, and even receive emails when it’s your turn or even a Steam notification. The way they splinter from there is rather deep. Unlike 2019’s Age of Wonders: Planetfall, the game’s modes are only split in two: new or continue game and online multiplayer. Whether you want a more focused experienced, or something a bit more free-form, there’s an abundance of options. In this, I chose the Necromancers who were available from the start, and didn’t appear until an expansion in Age of Wonders III. There’s also a beginner scenario that isn’t story-driven, but is essentially a skirmish against the AI and lets you play on even-footing without too many things working against you. I started my first campaign with the Bloodfang Orcs, who conquer through sheer dominance by reclaiming the lands for their own. Triumph Studios even has included the fantastic nested tooltips system from other Paradox titles like Crusader Kings III and Victoria 3 that help you link and deep dive on topics to understand them fully. However, the story realms offer a guided way to play the game and learn its intricacies.

There’s a few stories to engage with, which excludes many factions, making only ten of the nineteen total available for use. What ensues, is up to you and the decisions you make as all the races scramble for power. Age of Wonders 4 is a sprawling fantasy 4X RPG and tactical combat masterpiece that pushes the series forward in big ways.Īs the story goes, ancient wizard kings looking for old magic make their return after the decline of the third age. The wait for this follow-up has been more than worth it, and it’s a game that will have you staying for “one more turn” into the wee hours of the night. Triumph Studios returns nearly ten years since the last entry, and fixes a lot of the issues beyond combat and strategy that was lacking in Age of Wonders III. Age of Wonders 4 ditches roman numerals for digits, but it doesn’t bring the series to modern times, it continues the long-running fantasy saga with a long-awaited and proper sequel.
