Age of Wonders 4

It's been nearly eight years since Age of Wonders 4 was suggested to be in the making. However, the title's predecessor was one of the better turn-based strategy games. Many would agree that they should be granted that request if they needed time to perfect a new offering. To say there's a lot of hype and enthusiasm behind the fourth entry in this fantasy series would be an understatement, as it finally sees the light of day.

So what's taken the developers so long to get the game to the surface? Extended development periods either mean a perfect thing or a terrible thing. Firing up Age of Wonders 4 brings that inkling of fear as exciting as it is to see the title exist. Which outcome are we going to get? Are we going to have a game experience that trumps every fantasy strategy game to exist?

Flesh for Fantasy

Most strategy fans will be familiar with the Age of Wonders franchise, as it's progressively become one of the leaders in turn-based gameplay. However, suppose you're new to the idea. In that case, the series allows players to build and create a fantasy empire that could make even the most popular franchises feel small. The third title offered a brilliant blend of turn-based combat, role-playing elements, and city-building.

Now, Age of Wonders 4 seeks to expand on what made the previous entry so heralded. And from the moment you fire up the game, you'll understand why there's been such a long time between titles. The magnificent visuals, gameplay options, customization, and new storytelling features are integral to refining and enhancing the experience. There isn't anymore you could ask for.

New players to the series could instantly be overwhelmed with the number of options, tasks to fulfill, and stories to tell. However, fantasy strategy fans and tabletop enthusiasts will revel in the opportunities to create an empire to stand through the ages. Starting can be tricky, but as you learn the ins and outs of the game through trial and error, you'll feel more motivated to be the best fantasy rule and beat back those evil wizard kings.

Age of Wonders 4 is a game made to appease fans of old, bringing the old gameplay set back to life but with a new dynamic, allowing even more micro-management than before. Players who enjoy the technical and analytical side of empire building will find plenty of thrills and spills in the game, with the sheer number of functions and features that provide varied approaches to overcoming challenges.

Worthy of Empires

It's not to say that the barrier to entry for casual players is too high, but they will need to sink quite a few hours in before they understand how to build their best empire. That begs the question; is it worth the effort? Considering the ultimate experience of Age of Wonders 4 is incredibly rewarding. You can think of how Sid Meier's Civilization V is a dominant force in turn-based strategy games and how it's garnered so much success despite its complexities.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Visually stunning empire builder game
• Countless options for how you want to play the game
• You will sink plenty of hours into running your realm!

Cons:

• Some players will find the complex management mechanics challenging