Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic...Anyone got it yet?

saupster · Jul 26, 2003

Just wondering if anyone has picked up this game yet, and what they thought of it?

Cullyn · Aug 4, 2003

Thumbs Up.

I picked this up shortly after it came out and have been very pleasantly surprised by it. With the death of 3DO and most likely the Heroes series I knew I'd have to look elsewhere for my turn-based strategy fix. Thankfully, a little searching on Gamespy turned up the Age of Wonders series.

This game have a good look and feel to it as well as surprising depth to the many available races. It also contains a random map generator, which to me is a necessary inclusion. I must also admit, the ability to play an online game via email also caught me by surprise and is something I'm looking forward to trying.

Overall, even though I've not spent nearly the time I'd have liked to with the game, I must say that I'm quite impressed with the direction this game is taking me. Add to that fact the price of the game, a mere $30 US new, and I do believe that they have a convert.

saupster · Aug 9, 2003

Nice to see a new convert!

I'm wondering if you have tried to play a game by e-mail yet? I have heard that there are some problems with that, which will hopefully be fixed in the first patch. I know my friend and I are anxiously waiting for that first patch, so that we can finally play online.

Anyways, here's hoping for the patch to come out soon.

Happy Gaming!

Steve

Dreeble · Aug 12, 2003

Heya:

I got it when it came out and finished the single player campaign a couple days ago. I found it to be a ton o' fun. I've enjoyed the previous games in the series as well. After the first few scenarios, I raised the difficulty to hard since the AI, at least on defense, isn't particularly strong. On offense, yeah, much better.

AoW suffers (if that's the right word) from the "Super Hero" syndrome (HoMM had this too). Build up the right hero with the right items and you're unstoppable.

On the other hand, I found myself unable to resist staying on some scenarios so I could build up spells, skills, and items.

A Ring of Pass Wall Regeneration Physical Protection is a nice thing.

I think anyone who has enjoyed Warlords, HoMM, or Master of Magic (great game, lousy AI) would enjoy AoW.

Take care,
Dreeble

saupster · Aug 16, 2003

Hi Dreeble!

Haven't played much of the single player campaign yet (haven't played much of anything lately), but what I have played was fun!

As for heroes, I think if you're used to AoW2 and how heroes levelled up in that game, then you might be disappointed with levelling up in Shadow Magic. But having an item forge in SM makes up for it a bit.

Steve

D-Man · Aug 24, 2003

saupster said:
Hi Dreeble!

Haven't played much of the single player campaign yet (haven't played much of anything lately), but what I have played was fun!

Sweet, I was hoping it would be cool.

Desdichado · Aug 29, 2003

Hey, what happened to 3DO? Back when Disciples, Heroes 3 and Age of Wonders were all out at the same time, Age of Wonders was actually my favorite. I don't have AoW2, though (although I do have Heroes 4 and Disciples 2...)

Mystic Eye · Aug 29, 2003

Joshua Dyal said:
Hey, what happened to 3DO? Back when Disciples, Heroes 3 and Age of Wonders were all out at the same time, Age of Wonders was actually my favorite. I don't have AoW2, though (although I do have Heroes 4 and Disciples 2...)

AoW2 is great and I am certainly picking up Shadow Magic at some point but I I would also like to make note of Disciples 2. It is fantastic and the two new stand alone's are great if you do not have Disciples 2 already, only good if you do already have it. AoW reminds me mostly of masters of magic which I loved!