Earlier this year, when Age of Wonders 4 first came out, we were thoroughly impressed with what Paradox Interactive and Triumph Studios had set out to do. In fact, we were so impressed that we couldn't help but think about what the game's post-launch support might bring about. Now that Age of Wonders 4: Dragon Dawn is out and about, we can finally see for ourselves how it's all panning out, and whether it's a game we'll be playing for months to come!

For those who might not have been around early in May, reviewers didn't take long to recognize that there's something special here. Age of Wonders 4 wasn't perfect on day one, of course, but it was a fantastic experience with the potential to become even greater still. And much of this potential hinged on the success of its first major expansion pack. Enter Dragon Dawn, then, and let us discuss whether it's worth your time and money!

READ MORE: Understanding Age of Wonders 4's Gameplay Loop

Age of Wonders 4: Dragon Dawn DLC Overview

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Given that this is a Paradox game, it should come as no surprise that the popular publisher always had a comprehensive long-term support plan in mind for it. We discussed Age of Wonders 4's broader DLC plans back in May, if you're interested. Now, however, that the first big DLC is out, we can assess its value first-hand and inform you, our dear reader, whether it's worth your hard-earned schmeckles.

As customization and personal expression are a huge part of Age of Wonders 4, it should come as no surprise that the Dragon Dawn DLC goes all-in on this feature, too. But, before getting into all that, here's a comprehensive, all-inclusive list of all the content you get for $9,99/€9,99:

In more depth, you're getting two full-fledged new spellcasting options, each adding even more variety to the existing wealth of progression features, as well as a new race of reptilians and a huge array of Dragon customizations. Customizations that, it's worth remembering, evolve as you progress through every given match - one of Age of Wonders 4's most fascinating functionalities.

As for the Ashen War, this is a dragon-focused campaign where six unique Dragonkin creatures are stuck in eternal conflict. Who will prevail, though? It's up to the player to make the choice, in the end. It's a lovely new twist on the classic AoW4 campaign mode that perhaps isn't all that innovative, but it does get you up-to-speed with Dragons in a phenomenally engaging manner.

Get the Dragon Dawn DLC for Age of Wonders 4 today!

The Ultimate Make-Your-Own Dragon Bundle

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We'll be honest - we did not expect to see so much variety in a mere DLC. As was the case with the base game content, the newly introduced dragons, drakes, and their lizardkin already offer a wealth of options to change and tweak their looks and functionality, but it all grows exponentially as players progress through the given match.

Your Order-based red dragon will, eventually, begin to reflect the type of magic or technology you've chosen to specialize in. The same can be said about your Lizardfolk, too, and their infrastructure. This is particularly cool if you specialize in the new Tome of Evolution, which itself features evolving creatures that adapt to the situation in front of them.

For those who've dreamt of establishing their own dragon-based rule over other fantasy races, this is a dream come true. And, of course, all the features and content introduced here go hand-in-hand with Age of Wonders 4's existing content. It all just works, and for fans of the game, this DLC is a must-have.

What Do The Reviews Say?

But, of course, you don't have to trust us! The DLC launched over a week ago, and there's a huge array of valuable reviews available on Steam for us to peruse.

Broadly speaking, Age of Wonders 4: Dragon Dawn is sitting at a 'Very Positive' review rating, with the majority of players finding it a lovely addition to the game's roster of races and characters. It launched alongside the so-called Wyvern Update, which added to its remarkable appeal.

Notably, the Wyvern Update introduced:

Overall, the game is now in an even better place than it was before. The obvious caveat, however, is that the Dragon Dawn DLC doesn't really add anything novel to the table. If you find yourself enjoying Age of Wonders 4 on its own, then the new DLC is an obvious must-have. Doubly so if you'd like to start a new match with a literal dragon commander.

If, however, you just didn't vibe with the game - which is possible, although unlikely! - then Dragon Dawn won't add that much more value to the mix. It's more Age of Wonders 4, really, and as awesome as that might be for some players, it's obviously not going to be for everyone. And that's fine, really. As for ourselves - we'll be off customizing our dragonkin all afternoon!

CHECK OUT: How Age of Wonders 4 Moves the Genre Forward

Earlier this year, when Age of Wonders 4 first came out, we were thoroughly impressed with what Paradox Interactive and Triumph Studios had set out to do. In fact, we were so impressed that we couldn’t help but think about what the game’s post-launch support might bring about. Now that Age of Wonders 4: Dragon Dawn is […]