Age of Wonders III is a complex turn-based strategy game that offers six races to play upon release: humans, high elves, draconians, dwarves, orcs, and goblins. Probably because of it’s depth and intricacy, this game was hard not love.

And I have to admit, after about two weeks of gameplay, this turn-based RPG may just have won me over into the realm of RPG’s. This is a savvy, progressive take on a franchise that has garnered a wide following and is looking to satisfy loyal players as well as attract a new generation of fans. The world map is as vast as it is diverse, and a well-imagined landscape to explore. But since I didn’t even know there was such a thing until I read about it, I myself was unmoved. Unfortunately, AOW2 diehards who used the multiplayer play-by-email function may be dismayed to learn that Triumph hasn’t adapted anything like this at launch, but from the forums, it looks as if it’s an option that could be included in a patch in the future. In Age of Wonders III, players can choose to play the single player campaign mode, multiplayer online, or choose one of the games’ randomly generated maps (a new feature that fans of the series will be elated to see).

This high-fantasy realm is vast, offering over 50 locations and a diverse blend of allies and enemies to befriend and besiege. In a world of mythical lands, players fight to conquer an ancient paradise and settle an empire of their own design to perpetuate their dominion. This is the latest installment to the Age of Wonders series, the long-awaited follow-up to Shadow Magic and Age of Wonders II has been a mere decade in the making. You might have caught a little peek at my preview of Age of Wonders III, which is out at the end of this month.

Age of wonders 3 vs heroes 7