Age of Wonders-- Wizard's Throne or Shadow Magic?

Sir Slash · March 08, 2013, 11:21:36 AM

Both these gems are on sale at GOG this weekend. If you could only have one, which one would you pick and why?

PanzersEast · March 08, 2013, 11:34:50 AM

Shadow Magic.... I consider the best of the group.... and the MP Evolution mod. I would for sure say Shadow Magic.

PE

JasonPratt · March 08, 2013, 12:22:20 PM

Agreed, SM has all the toys the original game was lacking.

airboy · March 08, 2013, 12:41:49 PM

I played all of them - I agree with the above that Shadow Magic is the best.

Nefaro · March 08, 2013, 01:19:40 PM

Quote from: PanzersEast on March 08, 2013, 11:34:50 AM
Shadow Magic.... I consider the best of the group.... and the MP Evolution mod. I would for sure say Shadow Magic.

PE

What's the "MP Evolution" mod, PE?

While I've enjoyed both AOW2 games, I've never bothered modding them. After recently picking up the complete set, dirt cheap on a sale awhile back, I may have to do so before long.

PanzersEast · March 08, 2013, 01:55:52 PM

Quote from: Nefaro on March 08, 2013, 01:19:40 PM
Quote from: PanzersEast on March 08, 2013, 11:34:50 AM
Shadow Magic.... I consider the best of the group.... and the MP Evolution mod. I would for sure say Shadow Magic.

PE

What's the "MP Evolution" mod, PE?

While I've enjoyed both AOW2 games, I've never bothered modding them. After recently picking up the complete set, dirt cheap on a sale awhile back, I may have to do so before long.

I use 3 mods Unofficial Patch 1.4 + MP Evolution 1.5 + Dwiggs 5.0.

MP Evolution adds a lot of features and tweaks.... and Dwiggs has more monsters and races and makes the game more diverse and the cost of building is increased. These combined make the game a whole lot better and more interesting and challenging.

Unoffical Patch v1.4
http://aow2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=661

MP Evolution v1.5.4
http://aow.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=ct&f=29,5513,,60

Dwiggs 5.0
http://aow2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=612

Install Order:
1) Make sure you have Unofficial 1.4 patch installed first.
2) Next run the install for MP Evolution 1.5.4 and a set of icons will be placed on your desktop
3) Install Dwiggs 5.0 as instructed
4) Open the MP Evolution Settings Icon on your desktop and select Dwiggs 5.0 under resources in the bottom right.
5) Reset you Resolution for in Display mode to what you want, widescreen support.
6) Close the Settings and Click on the MP Evolution Icon on your desktop and play

PE

Nefaro · March 08, 2013, 02:02:01 PM

Wow! Thanks for all the links and info PE!

You've gone above & beyond once again. :)

FarAway Sooner · March 08, 2013, 05:59:25 PM

Man, I might have to dust off my original copy of the game (on CD, no less!) and see how that plays. I assume that none of those Mods are particularly compatible (or at least not recommended) with the campaign or any of the best known other mods (e.g., LoTR)?

Greybriar · March 08, 2013, 10:42:31 PM

Quote from: Sir Slash on March 08, 2013, 11:21:36 AM
Both these gems are on sale at GOG this weekend. If you could only have one, which one would you pick and why?

I, too, consider Shadow Magic to be the best game of the Age of Wonders series.

Huw the Poo · March 09, 2013, 04:27:24 AM

I've only played Shadow Magic (apparently I was in some kind of daze when this series was being released) but it's the strategy game equivalent of a long, pulsing orgasm. Buy it.

bob48 · March 09, 2013, 12:01:49 PM

I only played the first 2, and loved 'em. You lot are really making me want to pull the trigger on SM.

MetalDog · March 09, 2013, 12:17:58 PM

Don't mean to be a fart in a diving helmet, but I played Shadow Magic and I wasn't impressed. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Warlock.

bob48 · March 09, 2013, 12:24:06 PM

Quote from: MetalDog on March 09, 2013, 12:17:58 PM
Don't mean to be a fart in a diving helmet, but I played Shadow Magic and I wasn't impressed. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Warlock.

lol - its OK MD, you can open the little window at the front and let the pong out. Not while you're underwater though. Obviously.

JasonPratt · March 09, 2013, 01:46:11 PM

Quote from: MetalDog on March 09, 2013, 12:17:58 PM
Don't mean to be a fart in a diving helmet, but I played Shadow Magic and I wasn't impressed. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Warlock.

Or vice versa rather. Up until the last year or two, AoW:SM was the most serious contender for the Master of Magic crown, but we've been blessed with several new contenders recently.

This has no doubt encouraged the development of AoW3. 8)

JasonPratt · March 09, 2013, 01:48:22 PM

Quote from: bob48 on March 09, 2013, 12:01:49 PMI only played the first 2, and loved 'em. You lot are really making me want to pull the trigger on SM.

Don't hesitate. If you loved the first two, 2.5 keeps all the good (except for a faction or two from AoW1 switched out for other factions), and adds more playability.

The random map generator alone is worth the price of purchase.

Putting it another way: SM's value for cost is miles better than Dom3 (its only serious competition until recently) and any of the recent modern contenders (Warlock, Eador, Fallen Enchantress... am I missing any?)