Age of Wonders

List Price: $49.95 Discount Price: $16.95

Accessories:
PC Gamer (1-year)	Games for Windows: The Official Magazine

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful! [Posted on 2003-03-10]
I love dthe game, it is much in the style of heroes and masters of magic, but original enough to be entertaining! Besides which it is highly addictive! Even my boyfriend enjoyed it and he's tough customer!
Only negative thing I can say is that I wished it had had an instruction manual for game play. It installed easily, played well. Good graphics, sound encountered some problems on both our machines. Music wouldnt play on my newer Pc and battle effects only were garbled on his. Great title! It made me go order the sequel lol.

Transparent, short lived gameplay [Posted on 2003-06-19]
I found this game to be FAR to obvious. The races have merely a percentage of a difference between them. The game has zero variety. Play it for an hour . . . and then you'll see how it will ALWAYS play. Boring.

Great for fantasy fans everywhere. [Posted on 2003-08-17]
If you're into the whole "middle-earth" atmosphere (like me), then you're sure to love this strategy game. In addition to a myriad of scenarios and campaign options, this game boasts a wonderful, "Tolkeinite" style story (complete with briefings and journal entries to urge the plot along) and race/character descriptions that anyone who is a little obsessive should love.

It's also a game for people who aren't strategy game pros because it's not that hard to master and anyone with some common sense could figure it out.

I personally love the often complex maps on which the scenarios/campaigns are played on. The gameplay is quite fun with it's alternating turns and automatic/tactical battle options. Just an overall neat game.

P.S. The music is lovely, too!

Excellent storyline [Posted on 2003-08-20]
While it is true that this title borrows heavily from many others, there are some differences. First, a great story behind the campains that gives you some insight and tips on the upcoming mission. Excellent (IMO) characterization of the main hero of the story, which evolves as the campain unfolds. There are abilities beyond regular Leadership/Spell casting/Markmanship that can give you competitive edge (my favorites are Domination/Charm). As the campaing progresses, the features come into play more and more (e.g. on early stages ruin exploration are somewhat hindering speed, whereas on later stages artifacts/rescued troops can play significant roles).
Overall, very involving (and time-consuming :-)

Spiritual Heir to MOM [Posted on 2005-09-26]
This game carries on the tradition of Master of Magic and Master of Orion II perfectly. If you like turn based strategy then you will love this game. Even after all this time it still holds up and still has a place on my hard drive.

The great thing about the game it lets you play in two modes. You can choose to have the battles decided in quick combat which is similar to Civilization games where you are just in charge of choosing what units to build and sending them off to battle. You can also choose the strategic combat mode where every battle is fought on the strategic map and you take control of every unit.

If you are a fan of turn based strategy and don't mind a game with older graphics, then I would highly recommend this game.

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