Age of Wonders 4 Review Summary

Extensive, visually appealing customization: The game offers extensive customization options for factions, races, and leaders, allowing players to create unique and personalized experiences. This high degree of customization significantly enhances replayability, as players can experiment with different combinations and create their own fantasy worlds. The visuals are also appealing, with detailed units and environments.

High freedom and flexible gameplay: The game provides players with a high degree of freedom and flexibility in shaping their gameplay experience. This includes diverse playstyles, strategic choices, and the ability to create unique stories within the game world. The game's mechanics support experimentation and reward creative approaches to gameplay.

Engaging, deep, and balanced gameplay: The game is praised for its engaging gameplay loop, depth, and balance, drawing comparisons to genre-defining titles like Civilization and Heroes of Might and Magic. Reviewers appreciate its accessibility, strategic combat, and the way it blends 4X and RPG elements. Many consider it a standout title in the genre, improving upon previous entries in the series.

Active development and meaningful DLC: The developers are dedicated to improving the game through frequent updates and DLC releases, adding meaningful content and features. These additions enhance the game's depth, variety, and replayability, without making the DLC feel essential for enjoyment. The developers also actively listen to community feedback and incorporate it into the game.

Engaging story and Pantheon progression: The game features enjoyable story missions and campaigns that offer multiple endings and encourage experimentation with different playstyles. The Pantheon mechanic adds a sense of progression and long-term motivation, allowing players to retain their equipment, powers, and race modifications when adding leaders to the pantheon.

AI cheats and is inept: The AI is frequently criticized for cheating, exhibiting poor tactical decision-making, and receiving unfair advantages. This behavior diminishes the sense of playing against a comparable opponent and leads to frustration. Some reviewers noted the AI's tendency to spam units and focus disproportionately on the player, even when at war with other AI factions.

Combat is tedious or simplistic: Combat is criticized for being either too simplistic or tedious, with some reviewers relying on auto-resolve due to time constraints or repetitive engagements. Battles can feel like puzzle games due to the need to solve sequencing issues to avoid bottlenecks. The AI's constant army production leads to repetitive tactical battles.

Expensive game and DLC: The game and its DLC are considered expensive, with some reviewers feeling the base game is incomplete without purchasing additional content. The high cost of DLC, combined with the perception that it's essential for a complete experience, is a significant drawback for many players. Some reviewers feel that the developers are focusing on DLC instead of fixing existing issues.

Repetitive, boring late-game: The late game becomes repetitive and boring, with choices feeling inconsequential and the AI failing to provide a meaningful challenge. The game lacks a compelling long-term campaign and suffers from balance issues, with some builds being significantly stronger than others. Some reviewers also noted that the game pushes out overpriced DLC without addressing existing issues.

Frequent crashes and instability: Many players report frequent crashes, freezes, and other technical issues that severely impact the game's playability. These issues occur across various hardware configurations and can persist despite troubleshooting efforts. The frequency and severity of these crashes make the game unplayable for some users.

Combines 4X, RPG, and TBS: The game combines elements from Civilization, Heroes of Might and Magic, Total War, and XCOM, offering a blend of 4X strategy, turn-based combat, and RPG mechanics. Players manage cities, explore the world map, engage in diplomacy, research technologies (tomes), and command armies in tactical battles. The turn-based gameplay allows players to progress at their own pace.

Magic system via researchable tomes: Magic is a core element, learned through tomes that act as technology trees. These tomes provide spells, city buildings, and unit upgrades, significantly impacting faction playstyle and appearance. Players can adapt their strategies by changing magic books, allowing for flexible gameplay based on the map or situation.

Focus on tactical, turn-based combat: The game emphasizes tactical combat, with strategic gameplay feeding into the battles. Combat is turn-based on separate maps, where unit positioning, flanking, and leveraging strengths are crucial. While empire management is present, the focus leans more towards military advancement and large-scale magical engagements.

Poor AI in auto-combat: The AI in auto-combat is not very good, leading to inefficient unit usage and losses. Auto-battle follows a predictable algorithm, producing consistent outcomes. Many faction strategies do not function in auto-combat, as unit abilities and spells are not used effectively.

Unengaging city siege mechanics: City attacks lack engaging mechanics, with sieges feeling similar to regular fights. The AI doesn't create specific defending compositions, and battles are restricted to a maximum of 3v3, limiting the scale of engagements. City, empire, and ruler progressions feel inconsequential.

Frequent crashes and performance issues: Many players report frequent crashes, freezes, and performance drops, especially in late-game scenarios, large battles, or after installing DLC. Some suggest disabling specific settings or updating drivers as potential workarounds, while others note that frequent autosaves can mitigate the impact of crashes.

High CPU/GPU usage, overheating: The game is resource-intensive, leading to high CPU and GPU usage, causing overheating and loud fan noise, even on mid-range to high-end PCs. Some players have reported needing to lower graphics settings or resolution to maintain stable performance.

Long turn times, especially late-game: Players have reported long turn times, especially on larger maps and in the late game, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay. While simultaneous turn mode can help, some have encountered a bug where the 'next turn' button becomes unresponsive.

Mixed opinions on visual quality: While some find the graphics visually appealing, others describe them as unoriginal or only adequate. Some players have reported excessive fog, shadows, and blurriness that make it difficult to distinguish units.

Generally good on Steam Deck: The game generally runs well on Steam Deck, though some users have experienced frame stutters during character creation or found the graphics blurry on medium settings. Ultra settings look good but may not be sustainable in later stages.

Highly recommended 4X fantasy experience: Many reviewers recommend Age of Wonders 4, citing its engaging gameplay, replayability, and unique blend of 4X strategy and RPG elements. Some consider it a must-have for fans of the genre, while others suggest it as a good entry point for newcomers. Reviewers often praise the game's customization options and the ability to create unique fantasy realms.

Wait for sale, mixed feelings: While many recommend the game, some suggest waiting for a sale due to concerns about the full price. These reviewers often mention technical issues, balance problems, or a perceived lack of content as reasons for their hesitation. Some reviewers express mixed feelings, acknowledging the game's potential but noting flaws that prevent a full recommendation at full price.

Multiplayer issues persist, avoid co-op: Several reviewers mention issues with multiplayer, such as desynchronization problems and the lack of a turn reload feature. These issues lead some to advise against purchasing the game for co-op or casual multiplayer. Some reviewers specifically recommend the game for single-player only, highlighting the contrast in experience.

Compared to Heroes, Civilization, Planetfall: Some reviewers draw comparisons to other games in the genre, particularly Heroes of Might and Magic and Civilization. Some suggest that Age of Wonders 4 fills the void left by older Heroes of Might and Magic titles, while others recommend it to fans of Civilization who want a fantasy twist. A few reviewers, however, express a preference for older Age of Wonders games or other strategy titles like Planetfall.

Deep faction customization, meta-progression: Reviewers praise the game's robust customization options, particularly the faction system and Pantheon system, which add meta-progression and keep players invested. They recommend the game to those who enjoy creating unique factions, armies, and hero builds. This point highlights the game's appeal to players who value personalization and creative expression.

Active development and community engagement: The developers actively support the game with frequent patches, updates, and DLC, and they engage with the community on platforms like Discord and through live streams. This ongoing support and communication foster a positive player experience and suggest a long-term commitment to the game.

Extensive DLC and future content: The game features extensive DLC content, with players anticipating and purchasing expansions to enhance their experience. The base game provides substantial content, and future updates and DLC are expected, indicating a long-term content roadmap.

Mix of AoW 3 and Planetfall: The game borrows heavily from Planetfall. There isn't as much canon lore in AoW4 since the conflict is so variable.

Unique multiverse and godhood concept: The game features a multiverse concept where players can become gods, explore randomly generated worlds, and experience unique personal stories. The 'Godirs' system adds another layer, allowing players to ascend heroes and gain unique bonuses.

Lacks franchise identity/authenticity: Some reviewers feel the game lacks a distinct identity and atmosphere, potentially sacrificing authenticity to appeal to a broader audience. This concern suggests a shift away from the core elements that defined previous installments.