How Age of Wonders 4 Moves the Genre Forward

In case you haven't noticed, we are excited about this one. Who isn't? Age of Wonders 4 is posed to become one of the biggest games of the year. A groundbreaking 4X strategy fantasy RPG from Paradox Interactive that's due to set the bar for what we come to expect from the genre. With only a week to go till the May 2nd launch, we are taking every opportunity to explore what the game has to offer and to examine how significant these new features will be to the evolution of the franchise. Think new magical realms, turn-based tactical combat, and a story arc based on immortality!

For an overview of the game, you can read our previous article Age of Wonders 4 PC - Everything We Know. For now, let's take a closer look at how Age of Wonders 4 pushes the boundaries of 4X Strategy gameplay to propel the genre forward.

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READ MORE: Customization in Age of Wonders 4? Best Believe It!

Age of Wonders 4 - Overworld Strategy Meets Turn-Based Battle Systems

Same, same, but different, Age of Wonders 4 builds on the Civilization-like 4X games of the past, adding significant twists and turns along the way. For example, gameplay consists of building cities, competing for resources, engaging in diplomacy, and preparing for war. You conquer in order not to be conquered. And you exploit and expand, all in the name of the Empire. Sounds familiar right? But there's more.

In Age of Wonders 4, when two armies face off against each other on the Overworld map, the game zooms into an XCOM-like, turn-based battle system to allow your units to engage in real-time combat. These fights don't last too long. You wouldn't want them to. You've got an Empire to build after all, and the pacing is paramount. But they provide the opportunity for some clever tactics. And they keep you grounded in the nitty-gritty realities of warfare as you plan and carry out your maneuvers in new magical realms!

The End is Only the Beginning

For fans of 4X games, you will likely have hundreds if not thousands of hours of experience exploring, exploiting, expanding, and exterminating. It's the essence of the genre. And we know how immersive these games can be! But, win or lose, the end usually signifies the end, and, engrossed as we may have once been in our quest for world domination, we move on. C'est la vie.

But, what if the end wasn't the end? What if instead the end merely signified a new beginning? A new beginning with multiple new possibilities? This is what Paradox Interactive brings to the table with Age of Wonders 4. A story arc set in a fantasy realm that sees your beloved leader ascend to godhood at the end of your campaign. And a gameplay underpinned by immortality.

In this way, by joining an in game pantheon that transcends the barriers of the realms, your ruler can continue to impact subsequent playthroughs. S/he can influence big-picture maneuvers, and even unlock new empire options as you gain ultimate arcane knowledge.

New Routes to Victory

Age of Wonders 4 has 3 routes to victory. As well as the classic method that involves destroying all AI opponents, there is an Expansion route and a Magic route, set in a fantasy realm.

Expansion involves successfully conquering sufficient territories to allow you to light 3 Beacons of Unity across the map. Once lit, these Beacons must be defended over a subsequent number of turns.

The Magic route is similar in that you must first build a suitable empire, in this case a Tier 5 tome, and then defend 3 key locations against attacks. But there's more. Successful construction of the tome triggers a countdown that transforms the world around you according to the whims of your chosen affinity. This allows for different variables to influence the battles you must win in order to emerge victorious.

The Underground and a Return of the Powerful Wizard Kings

What if I were to tell you that all of the above only scratches the surface of what Age of Wonders 4 has to offer? Somewhat literally. That is to say, we haven't even begun to explore the underground layer of the game yet.

A dark and dingy world full of demon-like monsters and deadly bandits, the underworld is no joke. Rather, with nests that continue to manifest waves of attacking enemies unless dealt with decisively, this ominous realm of evil can soon become a place of living nightmares.

And then there's the dimension-hopping powerful Wizard Kings from Age of Wonders 3 to contend with. Remember them? Well, they are back. And they will stop at nothing to get their hands on the coveted Tomes of Magic.

Who will decide the fate of the fantasy worlds? Do you have what it takes to defeat the Wizard Kings?

Deep Customization

OK, I know we've spoken a lot about the deep and meaningful customization in Age of Wonders 4. In fact, we've written a whole article about it: Customization in Age of Wonders 4? Best Believe It! But we can't not mention it again here. Customization is, after all, one of the defining features of this fantasy civilization builder. A major part of what makes the game stand out in the 4X genre. It's just so comprehensive. And impactful. And ingenious! And it runs through the entire game. Yes, this is your chance to create your own story, from beginning to end.

Start Age of Wonders 4 by selecting a base template including your realm, race, and ruler. This includes the main characteristics and values that underpin your civilization. Don't like any on offer? Design your own. And don't be afraid to have some fun. From ferocious unicorn leaders to altruistic orcs, savage barbarian elves to 'wholesome' halflings, this is your opportunity to go wild. To create your own lore.

For example, will you structure your society based on feudal principles of prioritizing food production and close battle formations? Or, will you take a walk on the dark side and construct an evil metropolis that focuses on information gathering and inflicting misery? These choices will influence your gameplay, including the affinities you establish. Like everything in the game, however, they are not final. No, that would be way too static for Triumph Studios, Paradox Interactive, and the Age of Wonders franchise.

Indeed, beating boss monsters and conquering Wonders allows you to evolve your race entirely at different points in the game. Such transformations provide you with new abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as completely altering the spells you require and the kinds of Tomes you pursue. And remember, it is your management and use of the 54 possible Tomes of Magic that most influence the direction your Age of Wonders 4 quest takes.

Oh, if that's not enough, it is also down to you to set the player count, difficulty, and type of turn system your realm will adopt based on your preferred playing style as you dictate your own story.

Pushing Boundaries

Every once in a while you get a game that reinvents a genre. We saw it with Dark Souls (2011), which introduced a new difficulty level to RPG action adventures, providing an intricate world design that rewards exploration and experimentation. We also saw it with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017), which took open-world gaming to new heights by introducing seamless non-linear gameplay and allowing for complete exploration at your own pace. The list goes on. And we have a new addition with the Paradox Interactive Age of Wonders 4.

Age of Wonders 4  revolutionizes the 4X genre. The most RPG-like game of the franchise, this civilization builder successfully marries Overworld strategy with turn-based battle systems, whilst further embracing fantasy story arcs that wrap around your actions.

As innovative as it is unique, this upcoming release has been designed to provide hundreds of hours worth of gameplay. Indeed, with unprecedented scope for customization, and a persistent pantheon of past rulers influencing future campaigns, the number of possibilities to gain ultimate arcane knowledge is endless. It's safe to say that no Age of Wonders 4 play-through will ever be the same.

It's clear that Triumph Studios has pushed the boundaries to bring you something new, evolving the game's iconic empire-building, role-playing, and warfare to the next level. Have fun joining the in-game pantheon that transcends the barriers of the realms, with this new storytelling event system, deep customization, and turn-based tactical combat. The only question remaining is, what will you do with the creative freedom that Age of Wonders 4 offers? What legacy will you forge?

Pre-Order Your Copy of Age of Wonders 4 at 2Game Today and Save 10% off RRP!

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