Stellaris gives you outer space, Civilization 6 goes hard on the historical accuracy, and Cities Skylines 2 drills right down into the minutiae of everyday local governance. But what about the magic? What about a strategy game where you can rule over your own private version of Skyrim, or build a fantasy realm in the vein of the Lands Between or Sanctuary? Published by Paradox, Age of Wonders 4 is a giant 4X game with a vision. It has depth, detail, and complexity, but it’s not concerned with hardcore realism – on the contrary, it’s focused on arcane rituals and mythical creatures, and it’s just gotten even bigger thanks to a new DLC.
Like any 4X game worth the label, in Age of Wonders 4, you need to build a city, maximize its productivity and harmonize its social needs, and then expand ever outwards. Combat is turn-based, you have a variety of different empires and leaders to choose from, and the ultimate goal is to conquer the entire world map either through diplomatic cunning, cultural seduction, or sheer military might. In our own (highly enthusiastic) Age of Wonders 4 review, strategy expert Ian Boudreau called it the “the best 4X game I’ve played in years.”
The twist is that it all takes place in a magical fantasy realm reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3 or Morrowind. As well as standard soldier units, you have magical tomes to imbue them with powers. Instead of the familiar Civ-style tech tree, you evolve your society through spells and enchantments.
Originally released in 2023, Age of Wonders 4 still boasts a ‘very positive’ rating on Steam – of the more than 11,000 user reviews it’s received, 81% are favorable. And now, it’s even bigger. The new Age of Wonders 4 Ways of War DLC has just arrived, adding a new culture, the Oathsworn, with which you can align when you create your faction.
Aligning with the Oathsworn allows you to make various compacts throughout your game. If you vow to only wage war against the forces of evil, and stick to your promise, you will earn extra rewards. Likewise, you can swear to only fight against the strong and the worthy, or to avoid conflict altogether, and be rewarded in turn.
Ways of War also adds two forms for you to lead, the Simians and the Ogrekin, and new tomes which also allow for the creation of new units. There are new Intrigue Events that can threaten your rule, and additional mounts, music, realm templates, and ancient creature lines. You can get Age of Wonders 4 Ways of War for $14.99 / £12.79 right here.
Otherwise, try some of the other best strategy games, or maybe go a little bigger with the best grand strategy games on PC.
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