![]() While set within the context of an original story, Age of Wonders III is a fantasy game with typical fantasy lore and races. Its first problem is its use of overplayed fantasy tropes. I was getting pretty frustrated until this past weekend when finally it clicked: it’s a multi-tiered failure of presentation. The experience was always a pain and it was difficult to pinpoint why. Somehow I found the experience to be inscrutable. It’s amusing to me that I’m extolling the virtues of Age of Wonders today given the immense struggle that was playing it over the last couple weeks. ![]() The limitations suit it, really, because a game like this doesn’t need performance capture cutscenes or an army of voice actors - it is what it is, and what it is, is simple in appearance and complex under the surface. It’s a great concept for a game - so great it makes you wonder how this franchise all but disappeared for the past 11 years, virtually unknown– and Age of Wonders III executes it well, especially given the constraints of being a non-AAA title. You create an empire, taking down enemies or appeasing them, building cities and armies and forming alliances or committing wanton murder as you pillage. ![]() It’s Civilization in a fantasy world with a choice-driven plot, plus tactical combat (if you’re into that kind of thing) and automatic combat (if you’re not). Age of Wonders III is almost the perfect empire game.
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