Info about Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith:

Official game description:
You are a God! You are master and ruler of a loyal nation. You have unimaginable powers at your disposal. You have claimed this world as yours. But there are others who stand in your way. You must defeat and destroy these pretenders. Only then can you ascend to godhood and become the new Pantokrator.  
In Dominions you take control of a powerful being that rules a nation and aspires to godhood. The type of Pretender Gods can vary from magically powerful arch mages to huge titans or large monuments. The pretender gods have different strengths dependent on what kind of god you choose and what nation you play.  
When you start the game you decide what kind of god you are and how your Dominion affects your lands, followers and sacred soldiers. It is an expression of your divine might and the faith of your followers. If your dominion dies, so do you. Your dominion also inspires your sacred warriors and gives them powers derived from your dominion.  
In order to win and become the one true god you have to defeat your enemies one of three different ways: conquer their lands, extinguish their dominion or claim the Thrones of Ascension.  
New for Dominions 5 is that a God's bless effects can be customized in detail giving a new set of choices for the aspiring Gods. Battles have also received a major change and now feature simultaneous movement for all participating units. Fireballs and arrows will now fly at the same time as everyone is moving and watching large battles will be quicker than before.  
Dominions is set in a fantasy world that draws inspiration from historical nations, cultures and myths. You will not encounter the elves of conventional fantasy in this game. Instead you might lead a nation of vanir from old norse myth. Aztecs, romans, israelites, greeks, kievian rus and lovecraftian horrors are just a few of the inspirational sources of the game.  
The first Dominions game was released in 2002 and was well received by strategy gamers. Since then Dominions has been much refined and Dominions series is still actively played making it one of the longest running 4x turn based strategy games.

Release date: Nov 27, 2017

Categories: Turn-based Gameplay, 4X, Empire Building, God Simulation, Strategy, Resource Management, Character Customization, Simulation

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 0; verdict: Free of Monetization; summary: The user reviews consist entirely of subjective comparisons between Dominions 6 and previous titles in the series, complaining that the new version feels like a minor update or a small DLC for the prior game. There is no mention of any in-game purchases, microtransactions, real-money shops, pay-to-win mechanics, loot boxes, gacha, battle passes, or any form of post-purchase monetization. All feedback relates solely to the upfront purchase price and perceived value of the base game—a classic base-price complaint that falls under the 'What to Ignore' rules. Per the Scoring Criteria, evidence of this kind cannot push the score above 20, and here no evidence of any monetization system exists. The score is therefore set to 0.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: The Student; summary: The user feedback consistently highlights a critical dependency on external wikis and manuals due to the game's extreme complexity and lack of in-game explanations. Players must invest significant time in reading documentation just to understand basic mechanics, units, and spells. The interface further compounds the problem by making information difficult to find. This aligns with Tier 3 (The Student), where users need instructional data to learn systems.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $30.00 - $45.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a split: one seasoned player explicitly states $45 is fair, while another calls the current price tag unacceptable and recommends waiting for a sale. A third player found $15 on sale to be great value, implying the full price is too high for new players. However, another veteran considers the game worth its full price. The community consensus suggests that while the game has deep content justifying a premium price, a significant portion feels the $45 base price is too steep. Therefore, a fair range is $30–$45, with $30 appealing to those hesitant and $45 acceptable to dedicated fans who see the base game as complete without DLC.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 15.0h
  - Story completion: 15.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Game completion is derived from multiple quotes referencing campaign length: one states 20-30 hours for a victory/defeat, another gives a range of 3-7 hours for quick games, and a third notes campaigns can last 'a few hours'. These suggest a wide but bounded range for a single playthrough; the typical time is likely in the 10-25 hour range, but evidence is inconsistent. Story/campaign completion is treated as identical to game completion since Dominions 5 has no separate story mode. Session length is weakly supported by the quote about spending 1-2 hours just on setup/options; other quotes mention short turns and non-multi-hour sessions, implying sessions of 1-3 hours. No explicit endgame hours are reported; the only reference to 'endgame' is strategic advice, not playtime. Therefore endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Dominions 5 has a notoriously steep learning curve with no tutorial, overwhelming initial mechanics, and dated UI, but once players overcome these barriers, the game unlocks deep strategic fun, especially in multiplayer.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Once the game clicks
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: No tutorial; Overwhelming initial mechanics and options; Poor UI and high micromanagement; Steep learning curve requiring many hours
  - Unlock drivers: Community guides and YouTube videos; Manual study (e.g., 'The Interface' chapter); Perseverance through initial complexity
  - Conditions: Multiplayer enhances fun significantly; Diplomacy and community interaction (Discord) increase enjoyment; Playing with friends or in noob-friendly games reduces frustration
- Player Archetypes:
  - Competitive Multiplayer Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Outsmarting human opponents through deep strategic planning, diplomacy, and meta-gaming
    - Playstyle: Joins Discord-hosted multiplayer games, studies meta and counters, optimizes every turn, and enjoys the social and diplomatic aspects
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: multiplayer veteran; competitive strategist; discord community member
    - Reference games: Dwarf Fortress; Master of Magic; Heroes of Might and Magic; Total War
  - Lore-Immersed Sandbox Explorer (sale)
    - Motivation: Immersion in mythological themes and emergent narratives, plus freedom to experiment
    - Playstyle: Plays singleplayer campaigns, roleplays different deity concepts, reads lore entries, and uses mods to extend replayability
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: roleplayer; lore enthusiast; sandbox tinkerer
    - Reference games: Dwarf Fortress; Battle Brothers
  - Series Veteran Loyalist (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Continuing the franchise experience, comparing evolution, and staying with the active multiplayer community
    - Playstyle: Already deeply familiar with mechanics; may mod or play both SP and MP; critical of price vs. content
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: franchise fan; old-school player; veteran dominions player
    - Reference games: Dominions 3; Dominions 4
  - Intimidated but Determined Newcomer (sale)
    - Motivation: Curiosity about deep strategy and encouragement from a helpful community
    - Playstyle: Plays singleplayer first, reads manuals, watches tutorial videos, then joins noob multiplayer games
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: noob; newcomer; learner
    - Reference games: Civilization; Age of Wonders


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Vast variety and options (weight 0.97): The game offers a huge variety in options, including numerous factions, spells, units, and strategies, providing endless possibilities and customization for players.
- Deep and engaging strategy (weight 0.9): Players consistently praise the game's deep, satisfying, and engaging turn-based strategy, citing it as one of the greatest strategy games of all time with immense depth and unique gameplay.
- High replayability with factions (weight 0.43): With many unique factions, each offering different playstyles, the game has high replayability, encouraging players to explore diverse strategies and experiences.
- Complex magic system (weight 0.38): The magic system is deep and complex, featuring multiple schools, paths, global enchantments, and thousands of spells that create strategic depth.
- Multiplayer and diplomacy (weight 0.31): Multiplayer is highly regarded, especially PBEM and blitz formats, with diplomacy adding fundamental depth to long-term campaigns.
- Extensive mod support (weight 0.29): The game features extensive mod support, with an active community that enhances replayability and customization, making it highly moddable.
- Rich lore and mythology (weight 0.28): The game's lore is praised as fascinating and rich, with mythological influences that bring depth and immersion to the world and factions.
- Customizable god and religion (weight 0.26): The god and religion creation system is highly customizable, with a new blessing system that offers flexibility and success.
- Excellent random map generator (weight 0.21): The random map generator is fast, works well, and is even usable for tabletop games, adding to the game's variety and replayability.
- Viable strategies and balance (weight 0.18): Factions are well-balanced, offering multiple viable strategic options that allow for diverse playstyles without one being overpowered.
- Summoning and magic items (weight 0.17): Players enjoy the ability to summon demonic entities, raise undead, and craft magic items, adding strategic and thematic depth.
- No DLC required (weight 0.12): The base game includes full content with no DLC required, offering continuous free updates that integrate seamlessly.
- Emergent storytelling (weight 0.11): The game provides emergent storytelling and roleplaying potential, fueled by deep mechanics and unique faction lore.
- Scripted battles (weight 0.11): Scripted battles allow for asynchronous play without frantic clicking, featuring automated combat with meaningful pre-battle scripting.
- Epic battles and atmosphere (weight 0.11): Battles are described as epic and atmospheric, adding to the immersive experience of the game.
- Good single-player experience (weight 0.11): Single-player is noted as better than some reviews suggest, and the game is suitable for solitary players who enjoy deep strategy.

Common complaints:
- No tutorial or hand-holding (weight 0.59): The game lacks any in-game tutorial, forcing new players to rely on external guides and hours of study. Combined with minimal hand-holding, this creates a steep barrier to entry.
- Outdated and poor graphics (weight 0.52): The graphics are consistently described as outdated, unimpressive, or simplistic, with some players noting a 1990s level of animation. While a minority see minimalism as a stylistic choice, the majority find them off-putting.
- Lack of new content (weight 0.49): Reviews indicate that the game feels too similar to previous Dominions entries, offering little new content. Many consider it a minor update or DLC rather than a full sequel.
- Awful and cryptic UI (weight 0.44): The user interface is widely criticized as unfriendly, unintuitive, and clunky, with cryptic tooltips and difficult navigation. Many players find it a major obstacle to enjoying the game.
- Excessive micromanagement required (weight 0.33): Players report that the game demands constant attention to micromanagement, which becomes especially problematic in the late game. This burden makes gameplay feel tedious and overwhelming.
- Multiplayer focus lacking lobby (weight 0.19): The game shines in multiplayer but lacks a centralized lobby system, making it difficult to find or join games. This omission frustrates players who prefer online play.
- High price for value (weight 0.12): Players feel the game is overpriced given the limited new content and outdated presentation. The cost is seen as unjustified, especially when compared to earlier versions.

Gameplay feedback:
- Turn-based grand strategy with automated battles (weight 0.53): The game is primarily a turn-based strategy title with automated combat resolution, where players script actions before battles. It features a large number of nations and deep strategic elements on a global map.
- Extensive spell system with thousands of spells (weight 0.4): The game features over 900 to 1000 spells with unique effects and interactions. The magic system includes multiple schools and paths, with spells that grow powerful over time.
- Fantasy 4X wargame hybrid (weight 0.39): The game combines elements of 4X strategy and fantasy wargaming, offering many empire options. It is often described as a fantasy-themed grand strategy or 4X/Wargame hybrid.
- Large number of unique factions (weight 0.37): The game boasts over 33 to 94 factions (often described as 80+ or 90+ nations), each with unique troops, mages, and spells. Nations have distinct playstyles and mechanics.
- Deep and complex strategic systems (weight 0.31): The game is described as having deep mechanics, including detailed combat formulas and a complex magic system. It is challenging and requires significant mathematical understanding for combat optimization.
- Custom god creation system (weight 0.29): The game allows players to create a custom deity with unique talents, scales, and magic. This god customization is central to the game's identity and replayability.
- Simultaneous movement (Wego) system (weight 0.25): The game uses a simultaneous movement system (often called Wego), where players issue orders at the same time. This adds strategic depth and uncertainty to turn-based play.
- Automated battles with pre-scripting (weight 0.21): Battles are auto-resolved after players script their units' first five actions. This system emphasizes strategic preparation over real-time tactics.
- High replayability via customization (weight 0.21): The game offers deep customization options for gods, nations, and maps, leading to huge replayability. Players can create unique experiences each playthrough.
- Play-by-email multiplayer support (weight 0.21): The game supports play-by-email multiplayer, enabling long-term sessions that can last months. This is a key feature for asynchronous play.
- Dominion spread mechanic as victory condition (weight 0.12): The Dominion system represents the influence of the player's god and spreads across provinces. It serves as a key victory condition and strategic element in the game.
- Comparisons to Total War and Heroes of Might and Magic (weight 0.12): Players frequently compare the game to classics like Total War, Heroes of Might and Magic, and Master of Magic, noting its blend of strategic depth and fantasy elements.
- Variety of gameplay options and magic items (weight 0.12): Players enjoy a wide range of gameplay options, including many factions, spells, and magic items. This variety supports different strategies and playstyles.
- No diplomacy system (weight 0.11): The game lacks a diplomacy or trade system, focusing instead on military conquest and strategic expansion. This is noted as a deliberate design choice.
- Map generation with custom and random seeds (weight 0.11): The game includes custom maps and a random map generator using seeds, allowing for varied terrain and strategic opportunities.

Performance notes:
- Performance optimization praised overall (weight 0.17): The new engine runs well even on old hardware and is better optimized for higher resolutions, with optimization significantly improved over the previous game.
- Single-threading causes performance issues (weight 0.12): Extensive games can be processor-heavy due to single-threading, leading to long calculation times which is a noted negative.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.59): Despite caveats, the majority of reviews strongly recommend the game for its strategic depth and unique gameplay. Many call it one of the best in the genre, especially for dedicated fans.
- Deep strategic complexity praised (weight 0.56): The game is lauded for its immense depth, emergent narratives, and intricate systems, appealing to fans of grand strategy and fantasy wargaming. It offers endless replayability with customizable commanders and organic design.
- Not for casual players (weight 0.49): The game is repeatedly described as unsuitable for casual gamers due to its complexity, high learning curve, and time commitment. It is a niche product for hardcore strategy enthusiasts only.
- Value for money concerns (weight 0.46): Several reviews suggest waiting for a sale or heavy discount due to perceived overpricing, especially for owners of previous Dominions titles. The incremental updates and lack of DLCs are notable points of contention.
- Steep learning curve warning (weight 0.4): Many reviews caution that the game has a punishing learning curve, with minimal graphics and a lack of tutorials, making it inaccessible for newcomers. Players must invest significant time to overcome initial hurdles.
- Best for multiplayer experience (weight 0.39): The game is frequently recommended for multiplayer, especially via Discord, as it provides the full strategic depth and cutthroat competition. However, singleplayer may be less engaging for some players.
- Hardcore strategy fans only (weight 0.37): The game is highly recommended for dedicated strategy enthusiasts who embrace deep complexity and steep learning curves, but it is not suitable for casual players. This is consistently echoed across clusters emphasizing niche appeal.
- Not for Dom4 owners (weight 0.35): Owners of Dominions 4 may find the upgrade lacking significant new content, with many recommending sticking with the earlier version or waiting for further updates. The series' iterative nature is a common criticism.
- Ignore ugly graphics (weight 0.35): The game's outdated graphics and poor UI are frequently mentioned as drawbacks, but reviewers emphasize that depth and gameplay outweigh these issues for the target audience. Players sensitive to visuals are advised to skip.
- Great for imagination and lore (weight 0.29): The game's fantasy and mythical themes, along with detailed creature descriptions, appeal to players who enjoy immersive worlds and emergent storytelling.
- Buy only if willing to invest time (weight 0.28): Many reviews emphasize that the game requires a substantial time investment to learn and enjoy, and it is not a quick-fix strategy game.
- Improvement over previous versions (weight 0.28): The game is considered a direct upgrade over Dominions 4, with better UI and simultaneous turns, making it the recommended version for newcomers and fans alike.
- Overpriced incremental changes (weight 0.24): Some reviews argue that the game is overpriced for the minimal differences from previous versions, calling it a 'rip-off' or cash grab. This sentiment is particularly strong among long-time series fans.
- Watch tutorials first (weight 0.2): Many reviewers recommend watching YouTube tutorials or reading the manual before playing, as the game provides little hand-holding. This helps newcomers understand mechanics and avoid frustration.
- Multiplayer via Discord essential (weight 0.16): Players often use Discord to organize multiplayer games, as in-game lobby may be limited. This is seen as crucial for enjoying the game's full potential.
- No DLC policy appreciated (weight 0.15): The game is noted for having no additional DLC costs, providing full value for the price. This is seen as a positive compared to other strategy titles.
- Mod support is a plus (weight 0.06): The game offers deep mod support, which is a significant recommendation for players interested in customizing their experience.
- Toxic multiplayer community (weight 0.05): A single review mentions a toxic community, which may detract from the multiplayer experience for some players. However, this is not a widespread concern.

Other player notes:
- Disable ugly sprite filtering (weight 0.06): A user suggests using the --filtering 0 command line option to disable scaling filtering and restore crisp pixel-perfect sprites. This feedback indicates a desire for sharper visuals and better control over display settings.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Players are frustrated by the game's poor UI, steep learning curve, and lack of tutorials. Repetitive restarting due to difficulty, high price for minimal updates, and toxic community interactions also contribute to this negative sentiment.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): The game's deep mechanics, diverse factions, and unique spells generate excitement. Players enjoy the strategic depth, emergent stories, and rewarding multiplayer, with many describing being hooked after mastering the systems.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Mastering the complex systems provides deep satisfaction, from creating unstoppable armies to achieving strategic victories. The game's depth, customization, and high replayability keep players engaged for hundreds of hours.
- Admiration (weight 0.07): Players admire the game's immense depth, coherent design, and variety, often comparing it favorably to other strategy titles. The game's uncompromising approach and strategic possibilities earn high praise.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Despite strong potential, the game faces criticism for poor UI, lack of innovation, and high pricing for minor updates. Players feel Dominions 5 adds little over previous versions, leading to disappointment.
- Awe (weight 0.06): The sheer scale of content, with over 1000 spells and hundreds of artifacts, inspires awe. Players are impressed by the game's unique systems and the epic scale of battles and lore.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.06): Enthusiastic players gush about the game's depth, variety, and engaging multiplayer. Many recommend it as a worthwhile investment, with some even calling it one of their favorite games ever.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players find the game highly enjoyable and addictive, noting the fun in mastering complex systems. Long playtimes and high ratings reflect the immersion and satisfaction derived from the experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Appreciation stems from the game's unique factions, deep strategy, and developer commitment. Players value the lack of DLC, extensive content, and the community's useful mods and resources.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): The game's absurd and humorous scenarios, such as a god dying to a frog or bizarre item combinations, provide amusement. The community shares in these funny moments, lightening the tone.
- Caution (weight 0.02): Cautionary warnings highlight the steep learning curve, poor UI, and cutthroat multiplayer. Potential players are advised to consider these barriers before diving into the game.
- Fascination (weight 0.02): The game's premise of gods vying for power and intricate lore fascinates players. The depth of world-building and unique faction mechanics keep them endlessly engaged.
- Passion (weight 0.02): Passionate players delve into detailed analyses of the game's systems, showing deep love for its interconnectivity. Developer dedication and community discussions fuel this enthusiasm.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game comes from its overall positive experience, steep learning curve offering long-term engagement, and the addictive battle system. Many consider it their favorite game despite flaws.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger arises from perceived cash-grab practices, with minor updates sold as full versions. Unfair bans and toxic community interactions further fuel this negative emotion.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness comes from the game's release model preventing a definitive version, and the loss of old players leading to unfinished games. The music and potential remain bittersweet.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgic feelings are triggered by memories of earlier Dominions versions and old PBEM communities. The game's pre-balance era charm is missed.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.02): Mild disappointment stems from the outdated graphics, which diminish the overall presentation for some players.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is expressed for future improvements, such as blessing rebalancing and other tweaks. Players believe the game could be even better with targeted updates.
- Initial skepticism (weight 0.02): Initial negative impressions due to poor graphics and automated battles create skepticism. Many reconsider after experiencing the depth, but the first glance is off-putting.}