ENDLESS™ Legend - Shadows Review Summary

Espionage and the Forgotten faction earn praise for their concepts, yet both feel underdeveloped, while the DLC shines as an addition but leaves players wanting more content.

Espionage system highly praised: The espionage system is lauded as a significant and well-implemented addition, adding depth and strategic options. It is considered better than similar systems in other games like Civ 5, with specific actions like sabotage and tech stealing.

DLC praised as excellent addition: Reviewers consistently praise the DLC as an excellent addition that brings much-needed improvements and new content. It adds a new faction and mechanics, bringing players back to the game.

New Forgotten faction well received: The new Forgotten faction is widely liked for its unique stealth and espionage focus, offering a fresh and challenging playstyle. Its theme and mechanics are considered cool and innovative, fitting well with existing factions.

Stealth mechanics add new layer: Stealth and invisibility mechanics are highlighted as a new and interesting layer, allowing for unique strategies like luring enemies into traps and invisible armies. They are seen as a positive addition that diversifies gameplay.

Pillaging mechanic is effective: Pillaging is praised as a powerful and versatile mechanic, providing resources and harassing enemies without full war. It is especially effective with the Forgotten faction, who gain double dust and can steal tech.

Forgotten faction is weak: The Forgotten faction's units have below average stats, die quickly, and are weak in combat. The faction is difficult to play and requires a lot of skill and luck to be effective.

Espionage has limited impact: Espionage actions have little effect on the game unless actively pursued, and are basically useless for other factions. The value of using spies is questionable given the high cost of hiring heroes and using influence.

DLC lacks content: The expansion is seen as clumsy, adding complications without adding joy, and has no real content aside from minor tweaks. It is marketed as an expansion pack despite having nowhere near the content of others.

Espionage has negative consequences: Detection of a spy causes permanent hatred from the affected faction, and there are no repercussions for espionage actions except going to war. Going to war with a nation at peace costs the player all their allies.

Forgotten faction has science issues: The Forgotten faction has no science production, making early turns score-tight and causing them to fall behind in science. The inability to generate science is more irritating than immersive.

Espionage mechanic enables covert actions: Espionage allows infiltrating enemy cities, stealing, sabotaging, and reducing population. It also enables sending heroes as spies to perform covert actions.

Forgotten faction lacks science production: The Forgotten faction cannot generate science and must buy research with dust or steal technologies. This requires significant resource investment.

DLC adds espionage mechanics: The DLC introduces espionage, infiltration, and sabotage mechanics for all factions. It also adds a new spying system and stealth elements.

Forgotten specialize in espionage: The Forgotten faction is heavily focused on espionage, subterfuge, and stealing technologies. Their units are stealth-based and weaker in direct combat.

Forgotten units have innate stealth: All Forgotten units are stealthed, making them invisible unless approached closely or within two tiles of a hero or city. This allows them to move through enemy lines of sight.

Wait for sale: Several reviewers advise waiting for a sale before purchasing the DLC, suggesting it is not worth full price. They recommend buying it when discounted, with one suggesting a price under ten dollars.

DLC worth buying: Multiple reviewers strongly recommend the DLC, stating it is worth its money even without a discount and heartily recommend it. This positive sentiment is backed by specific praise for its content and value.

Recommended for fans: The DLC is recommended for fans of the base game, Endless Legend, and 4X strategy games, as well as those who enjoy multiplayer or want to support the developer. It adds new factions and content that appeal to existing players.

Spy mechanics highlight: The DLC dramatically changes the game by adding spy abilities, which is a key feature. Reviewers recommend it for players who enjoy toying with enemies or outwitting opponents, and for those wanting to make a spy kingdom.

Avoid or save money: Some reviewers advise against buying the DLC, recommending to save money for something else or not to buy the game at all due to DLC policy. This negative feedback is less common but present.

Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00.

The DLC's spying and Forgotten faction are lategame-focused, so the game becomes more fun after early game investment and reaching lategame, where their strengths emerge.

Friction: early game disadvantage for the Forgotten; below average unit strength; time investment for spying options (5-15 turns).

Unlock drivers: lategame scaling of spying; stealth unit economy kickstart; access to empire-wide spying options.

Loyal Enthusiast: Not specified, but they enjoy the game as a whole and likely play a variety of styles. Motivation: Pure enjoyment and unconditional love for the game. Stance: buy.

Strategic Mechanic: Adaptive; they switch between science/diplomacy and warlike approaches depending on the situation. Motivation: Mastering game mechanics and exploring different strategies. Stance: buy.

Cautious Critic: They play but are critical of balance issues, especially spy mechanics. Motivation: Value for money and balanced gameplay. Stance: sale.

Monetization: The reviews focus on the DLC's price relative to its content, with many players feeling it is overpriced. However, there is no evidence of microtransactions, pay-to-win mechanics, loot boxes, or any real-money in-game purchases. The DLC is a traditional expansion, and the complaints are about value, not predatory monetization.

Pricing criticized as high: The DLC is priced at 8.99 euros or 13 dollars, which reviewers find expensive compared to full games or other DLCs. They note it often goes on sale and is sometimes bundled.

Espionage system compared to Civ: Reviewers compare the espionage system to Civilization V, finding it more convenient and fun. Some also compare it to other 4X games like 7 Kingdoms II and Endless Space 2, where they find those implementations more interesting.

DLC size considered decent: The DLC is described as a decent-sized addon that works well in single player and should be even better in multiplayer. It is seen as a good 4X strategy addition.

Compared to other expansions: The expansion is compared unfavorably to other expansion packs like Yuri's Revenge and Call of Duty map packs, suggesting it offers less value. It is also compared to Civ V Brave New World, described as darker, faster, and more cunning.

New faction compared to other media: The new faction is compared to the Scorpion clan from Legend of the Five Rings and the Necromongers from the Riddick series. These comparisons highlight thematic elements.