AoW4 (https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/age-of-wonders-4/about)
Announced today with a May 2, 2023 release date on PC and consoles.
I haven't went through the details yet, but looking forward to this one.
Wow...didn't see that coming.
Just from the screenies, it looks like AoW3 with some slightly better graphics.
Looks like big thing is ability to design your own races. Cannibal halflings is mentioned.
Yeah but can you do Halfling Cannibals? Loved AOW back in the day but not something I'm dying to play now unless there's something new and shiny added.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1669000/Age_of_Wonders_4/
Wishlisted!
My most highly anticipated game of 2023!
Hmmm...and you can create your own races too? Interesting and it comes out after my birthday too. Will be keeping my eyes peeled. :Dreamer:
new dev diary
dev diary 1 (https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/threads/welcome-to-age-of-wonders-4s-first-dev-diary.1565520/)
It has been a while since I played AoW3, and I certainly got my money's worth out of it, but here are a few of the things I'd like to see "fixed"
1) campaign got pretty repetitive
2) I liked having 8 units per army from the older versions, instead of 6 from AoW3
3) I'd like to see the higher level units be more special. Maybe something like:
- level 1 - Orc common
- level 2 - Orc Leader uncommon
- level 3 - Troll rare
- level 4 - Giant Troll (sorry I'm not too creative :)) very rare, like panic inducing when you see one coming
Instead it doesn't take long to have whole groups of level 4 guys running around
Sounds like they are incorporating some elements from AoW: Planetfall too, but I didn't play that too much and remember even less.
AoW3 shuffled the magic balance a lot from previous entries, where the magic usage was designed to be more like Master of Magic: once upon a time, if you weren't buffing your troops with semi-permanent spells you were playing it wrong. In AoW3 that was practically eliminated. I'd like to see them get back to that, although to be fair it did create a distinction.
The race/faction generator is more than enough to justify a new version in my opinion!
Having watched Dastactic and his in depth analysis of the presentation by Triumph Studios and Paradox, all I can say is "Wow".
They have changed a LOT of customisation from AoW3 for the better and replayability should be off the scale.
Very impressed if they follow it through with decent AI.
Quote from: devoncop on January 20, 2023, 01:04:30 PMHaving watched Dastactic and his in depth analysis of the presentation by Triumph Studios and Paradox, all I can say is "Wow".
They have changed a LOT of customisation from AoW3 for the better and replayability should be off the scale.
Very impressed if they follow it through with decent AI.
+100
After watching Dastactics review I was hooked!
I have really enjoyed these games, but only played AoW: Planetfall a couple times before utterly losing interest. The gameplay felt very formulaic and repetitive, and the only thing that differed much from the previous titles was the skins on the units. I've just not been very impressed with the city building mechanics in that series, although I've owned all 4 games from the series!
The campaign games for the last couple versions haven't resonated much with me. AoW3 was a very good e-mail game (I have to play mostly by e-mail, because with a busy family I and my friends can find very little common time to play). I will watch this one eagerly. They do some things VERY well!
Have to say I am not a fan of the cartoonish cell shaded art style a lot of games seem to be going for these days.
Quote from: Destraex on January 21, 2023, 01:50:17 AMHave to say I am not a fan of the cartoonish cell shaded art style a lot of games seem to be going for these days.
I do agree with you on that point.
I would have much preferred a more gritty 'realistic" design but AoW4 was never going to give us that unfortunately.
You know when I saw this I was thinking it was age of mythology. I don't even think I know the difference.
Age of Mythology: classical (neo-classical, mytho-classical??) RTS like Age of Empires series, factions use peons to build bases, train troops, and send them out to find and conquer enemies.
Age of Wonders: fantasy-themed civilization turn-based game with turn based tactical battles, intended as a proper successor to the original version of this, Microprose's Master of Magic.
Thanks for this. Struck off my list for being turn based :stormtrooper2:
Anyone playing? I'm hooked. It's pretty great so far. Customization options for rulers and your empire are really impressive.
^I will be purchasing soon.
Purchased.....but haven't played yet.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 02, 2023, 06:51:34 PMAnyone playing? I'm hooked. It's pretty great so far. Customization options for rulers and your empire are really impressive.
I got this on preorder despite generally refusing to do that after watching quite a bit of You Tube content on it in the last couple of weeks.
I agree with JH on this 100%. It is beautifully presented,, has insanely comprehensive options for faction customisation and the cascading tooltip system is a thing of beauty that borrows heavily from Crusader Kings 3 without even the need to click on links in the descriptions before being able to hover over a particular word to check out that secondary concept.
I have a couple of hours in on the tutorial scenario playing a race of horde like ratlings and have not had a single glitch, bug or freeze which given it was a Paradox published game is quite something.
Triumph studios who actually made the game definitely lived up to their name with this one?
In an effort to curb my family's spending habits in advance of our big Summer trip to Europe (first time in 30 years for me, 20 years for my wife, and ever for the kids!), I made the deal with them that I wouldn't buy anything in the month of May. Now I hear that this game seems really good so far.
You are a cruel man, Jarhead! :tophat:
This is the only game I have preordered (premium edition) in a long time and I am loving it. It really is a masterpiece. One of my favorite series and developers.
Damn all of you people.
How does this compare to SpellForce: Conquest of Eo?
I pre ordered it a week or two ago when I started to hear all the previews having glowing thoughts as this typically isn't the type of game I am good at. It convinced me enough to buy it and look forward to diving in at some point based on the positive comments here.
I have been very satisfied with AoW3...but am wondering if AoW4 is so much better/different to warrant the investment.
Quote from: Gusington on May 03, 2023, 07:57:04 AMDamn all of you people.
How does this compare to SpellForce: Conquest of Eo?
You know I like Spellforce Gus but this one has much more replayability as a result of totally random map generation ability as well as probably 20 or so designed maps including linked story campaigns.
The options when you set the game up allow you a very large amount of control over the type of map you are creating (geography and size wise) but also the distance between players, type of the most common monsters you will be facing (in addition to the regular factions that will be trying to win the game against you) and environmental challenges. I have only tackled the initial tutorial campaign (on normal) and after a few hours play I have 3 cities and three army stacks but am only ranked 2 out of 3 on most metrics but have made several mistakes as I was learning.
It is better visually than Spellforce Conquest of Eo and the variety of battle maps is much bigger.
Like Spellforce the naval game is not very fleshed out or involving so I would not recommend taking naval perks on faction creation..... I don't mind this to be fair.
^You should take a job in marketing at Triumph Studios :tophat:
Curse you all.....wishlisted (waiting for that first sale though)
Quote from: Gusington on May 03, 2023, 09:21:05 AM^You should take a job in marketing at Triumph Studios :tophat:
:police:
I don't do "jobs" any more.
Evil concept. Takes away from valuable idling time.
^A lord among knaves.
Work is over rated. If it wasn't for the money involved, I wouldn't do it at all.
I thought you were retired and didn't do it at all...
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOop-7U1VckpJgL4vdYFcZ-iu46-jJiG6WOQ&usqp=CAU)
You know...marrying money is a full time job. I don't need the aggravation, I'm a lazy slob.
Just crashed and burned in my first attempt at the tutorial mini campaign on "normal difficulty" (oh the shame of it :HideEyes: )
All was going okay and I had moved into a military lead v both my rivals until a Wizard King rival decided to overrun a small insignificant region to my SW that I had already claimed . Despite the fact that my best armies were away in the NE guarding against a Spawn infestation that was imminent hubris assisted the Rat Emperor to decide two full stacks led by a level 4 Vassal hero would be enough to take out the Wizard King's border city .....spoiler....it wasn't .....as two and a half reinforcing stacks lead by a level 6 and a Level 5 hero arrived and despite the ratboys inflicting reasonable losses on them, totally wiped out my armies in an epic tactical scrap where the enemy use of electric shock weapons and spells proved critical.
I got 330 out of the 500 points needed to make my first Pantheon progression so all was not lost but it's back to the drawing board with a second attempt at the tutorial tomorrow and I cannot wait !
I am retired but still have work to do. Sometimes the work pays well, sometimes not so much. :buck2: I am listening to hear the expected hard truth about this game from the Grogs Grapevine. Gentlemen, if you please...
Necro'ing this tread.
I've never played a game in this series nor any game similar to it. According to the Steam reviews it seems popular.
I'm guessing those here who bought it have enjoyed it?
Any tips for a new guy? :RockOn:
I gather it doesn't play much like earlier games in the series, which may be a good thing? The earlier games were Master of Magic successors, thus similar to Civ but with fast-moving tactical battles on somewhat randomly-generated maps.
AoW3 fully expanded up, and AoW: Shadow Magic (i.e. AoW2.5), are still both well worth the money. I have most of a video AAR posted up on an AoWSM campaign I cobbled together for my nieces as the guest stars, to amuse them back when they were younger, here at Grogheads: https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=23396.0
Anybody have any updates on this game now that there is a patch or two out?
It got rave reviews on here when it first came out, generally favorable reviews on Steam, but I've learned with the AoW games to let them season a little bit to get the play-balancing right.
I enjoyed AoW3 but often found the AI to be less effective on the strategic map. The AI on the tactical map was ruthless.
Quote from: FarAway Sooner on July 15, 2023, 01:52:51 PMAnybody have any updates on this game now that there is a patch or two out?
It got rave reviews on here when it first came out, generally favorable reviews on Steam, but I've learned with the AoW games to let them season a little bit to get the play-balancing right.
I enjoyed AoW3 but often found the AI to be less effective on the strategic map. The AI on the tactical map was ruthless.
I was excited for this game until I figured out how bad the strategic AI is. Now waiting for the AI patch to see if they can improve it at all...
So, How is this game now? It is on sale and if some of its shortcomings have been addressed it may be a "buy".
I'm interested in the same thing. The latest free patch adds some interesting new content (including a Magic Item Forge) and I've heard that the ability to customize races and cultures is top notch.
Is the strategic AI getting better, and/or are mods making a difference for this one yet? I'm deeply intrigued by the title but have learned to hold off on early purchases of Paradox products...
Just read a little bit about the new pseudo-steampunk Reaver faction. I am now more interested :Nerd:
Quick question: is the multiplayer asynch (as in AoW3, although that was somewhat experimental iirc)?
Update: answered in Steam discussion, asynch for classic turn base.
I finally got around to playing AoW4. My first play-though was underwhelming. My second game is seeming to be a bit more fun. The mechanism used to prevent snowballing expansion is heavy handed. It works, but i am not sure if i can like it. No manual and inadequate explanation of mechanics, i.e. par for the course these days.
Quote from: solops on December 16, 2023, 02:23:21 AMI finally got around to playing AoW4. My first play-though was underwhelming. My second game is seeming to be a bit more fun. The mechanism used to prevent snowballing expansion is heavy handed. It works, but i am not sure if i can like it. No manual and inadequate explanation of mechanics, i.e. par for the course these days.
Good to hear. It's sad that there is no clear explanation or manual on how to play. I guess in order to save money developers rely on paying YouTubers to create let's plays.