fantasy

I love turn-based strategy games, and this one is my favorite. I started playing in January and didn't stop till September, when I immediately bought the sequel, Shadow Magic. That should give you some idea how worthwhile this game is.

It's difficult to learn at first; in fact, I almost gave up on it. Finally I bought the strategy guide (the first time I've ever done that) and it was worth it. The game is not easy to win, but it is winnable.

The graphics are simply beautiful, the sound effects are good, and the storyline is acceptable if nothing special. The spells your wizard can learn are varied and fun, and so are the units you command. There's very little to criticize in the game because it is so wonderfully thought-out and executed. If you like turn-based strategy, do NOT miss this game. It's the best.

Age of Wonders is a turn-based strategy game that is very closely related to Disciples II or Heroes of Might and Magic IV; however with its own unique gameplay specifics. The previous reviewers, I think, have already described how the emphasis of this game is on wizards who, for the most part, reside in wizard towers and aid their subject heroes in battle by casting various spells ranging from simple healing to catastrophic fire blasts. For the most part, rival heroes lead small groups of soldiers throughout the Age of Wonders world searching for gold, mana, artifacts, and allies while battling hostile forces wherever they encounter them, eventually capturing their cities, resources, and killing the enemy wizard.

Generally, you play on a main world map in your troops move through colorful terrain seeking to capture mines, energy nodes, gold, and exploring ruins and caves. When you battle, you can choose to command your troops personally or have the computer automatically resolve combat. Combat is fought on a large tactical map in which you choose a target individually for any ranged units (e.g., archers, slingers, swashbucklers, etc.) and assign targets for your melee units. The battles are fought in sequential fashion (defender fires, attacker fires, repeat) and take into account magic spells, distance, height, protection, morale, etc. It is complex without being complicated.

I really enjoy Age of Wonders 2, and for the most part, would say that it is a relatively safe purchase for those players who like turn-based fantasy strategy games: it is not stunningly original but it is fun and almost a must for players of this genre and type.

I must beg to differ with some of the reviewers' comments about Age of Wonders:

1) You do NOT "need at least 256 RAM," to run AOW2. I use only 128 RAM on an 800 MHz Athlon and it runs well with no slowdowns of any sort.
2) The differences between races are not "more cosmetic than functional." There are real and important differences between the races that greatly affect the way a player commands them. Don't be misled by a superficial glance at the game manual and say, "Oh, each of the dozen races has 8 unique units, each of which has a counterpart in the other races." Not really true at all: no one has a counterpart to the Tigran's prowlers which are fast, pantherlike, and scale city walls like level ground. Only the humans have the swashbuckler who, being armed with pistol and sword, is tough on defense and offense. Each race has something that will change the way you play them. Elves are fast through forests and very good at concealment. Dwarves move through mountains easily and the Undead have large, cheap zombie armies capable of regenerating if not quickly beaten. Saying that the units are generic "Age of Empires" type units, I think, is completely inaccurate.
3) It is not true that the "interface is awkward and you must click 10,000 times" to do anything. No. No. No. It is simple to click once to find the next active unit, simple to learn how to detach a unit from a battlegroup, simple to access your stats. As for not having a "restart a level from the beginning button," I have to roll my eyes; all you need do is quickly load the original scenario.

So, am I simply an uncritical admirer of AOW2? No, there are things that I wish were included or different in the game:

1) I like random map generators but AOW2 doesn't have one. It's so much fun to just be able to quickly generate a map and play without concern about winning or losing since you can always create a new, unknown map. Still, there are about 20 huge maps in the campaign and over 20 individual scenarios, as well as player-designed and Triumph Studio designed scenarios to download, so I don't think I'll run out of maps anytime soon - if ever.
2) The story line (or plot, if you will) is not particularly compelling. Your task is to master each of the spheres of magic and once you master, for example, the fire sphere, you move on to the next and DON'T TAKE your heroes or new abilities with you.

Overall: A polished game, with interesting battles, spells, races, and a complex, but not complicated gameplay. I enjoy it and I'll be playing it for months!

Gameplay: Simple to learn, similar to HOMMIV or Disciples 2, very low learning curve and a simple interface. Tactical combats are turn-based and allow for thoughtful, contemplative decision-making. Should you concentrate your crossbowmen's fire on the manticore or take out the more vulnerable Tigran shredders? Is a powerful (but mana expensive) fire spell needed or only a less deadly but cheaper energy bolt? There's time to choose whether to fight or flee, to charge or move into better position.

Graphics: A matter of personal taste (of course) but I like them: they're colorful without being too busy or crowded, units are acceptably different and easily distinguishable (although don't zoom in!) and I think they fit well with the fantasy world of Age of Wonders.

Sound: Acceptable, even enjoyable. I don't mind the background music, in fact, I enjoy it for the most part. However, what's really cool is that I get easily use my "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings" soundtrack mp3s in place of the background music. I like the sound effects of combat, movement, and other events, but they're mostly of secondary importance.

I strongly recommend that you download the demo and find out for yourself.

Great strategy games. One of the greastest strategy games ever made. You can choose between classic game play style where 1 person takes a turn at a time or RTS style where its all at once.
Other similar games: Populous, The Settlers Games, The Empire Earth Games, Civilization, Warzone2100, The Nations, and about every other strategy-empire building game out there that there is. I would definitely recommend it to everyone who owns a computer.